Originally from America. Proud citizen of Australia. Currently riding my motorcycle around the world. 44 countries so far and counting. ;-)
Good news… !! You know that super bald rear tire I’ve been riding on since way up in Costa Rica? So thin that it picked up that nail and gave me my first flat? I have been intending to replace both tires in Bogota Colombia. But that’s still 1000 km away and I can’t take it any more. It’s been skipping in the turns a lot, really feels...
Aww cool! I finally got my bike back. It always feels good to know I can continue my journey. And it’s in great company outside our hostel in Cartagena! Graffiti has really stood out to us in this town. I’m feeling inspired to take a couple spray cans to my bike. We’re packed up and ready to roll after we have the breakfast our new hostel provides...
My motorcycle was left in the ANSWER workshop over night to see if he can salvage my battery. First we need to move out of our hostel. It’s booked out for the next couple of days. So we found a new perfect place just a block and a half down the street, and for only $10 more it was like $100 better! Since we will be gone all day, we moved our gear over this...
Welcome to the customs office of Cartegena, Colombia! While the bikes are parked outside, we wait.. and wait… and wait… one by one we give details to the officer for about 3 hours. Recognize that green t-shirt???? Dan, the shirtless man, was not allowed into the office without shirt and shoes. He asked to borrow one, and Kevin has my newly donated...
Welcome to the northern tip of South America!! Cartegena, Colombia.. My first impressions are very good! I didn’t expect such a modern good looking city from the boat. After breakfast we are waiting on the bow of the Independence and I ask Kevin how did he enjoy his journey? I got quite a response!! It’s the perfect combo. A big smile for the...
After our day in paradise, the next day is without islands and paradise. It’s open water the remaining voyage to Colombia. We can not sleep in our cabins. There are no windows that open for fresh air. The captain only runs the generators twice a day for a short time, so the toilets are completely full. He suggests we go over the edge and what shocks us is...
With bikes already on the boat, the riders are picked up at the dock in the morning to board Independence for the morning voyage. And then we wait for the remaining passengers. He goes back with the dinghy to pick up the backpackers who board the boat last. The good news? The bikers got to pick cabins first. The bad news? All the cabins are bad, so it...
How to get from Panama to Colombia? There are basically 3 choices. One is by boat, second is by air freight and third is to be a superhuman and ride through the jungle with literally no roads and drug lords. I considered the air for a bit, but at the end of the day, it was the adventure of putting the motorcycle on a sailboat that intrigued me. From Panama City on...
From Almirante in the northeast of Panama we want to cross the country to the Pacific side and make our way down to Panama City. We planned our route and spoke to a girl in Bocas Town who described it as a very difficult and dangerous road across the mountains. To this day I don’t understand why she said that. The road was “good” as far as we are...
I need to return to Costa Rica for a moment because the border crossing is such a classic. First is the crossing on the Costa Rican side. One little skinny road and one very long bridge to Panama. I think it’s my turn to do the paper work and I left Kevin to watch the bikes. Good news, ALL of the immigration and customs officials are on their hour long break...