Day 1

Killarney to Chicago

Pretty excited to cross international border a lot of questions at border related to whether or not I had trip well planned and funded.

Don’t want trip to be about covid but interestingly no masks in ND or MN Chicago is more like home. Friendliest staff ever at a Fargo MCDonald’s. Great driving clean roads only a bit of traffic by Minneapolis. Bears game was getting out when I got to my brothers and I had to get special permission from traffic cops to go down his street. Amazon warehouses are huge definitely a new addition to the landscape.

Day 2

Great day with my brother went on architecture tour of Chicago on riverboat. Had a great burger for supper. Broke his car lol apple car play won’t work. Watched some funny shows in evening.

Day 3

Got an early start on the road at 0545. Beautiful weather good driving. Brother calls at 10 I know it’s bad news bc I was organized and have all my stuff.  He is a surgeon and too busy to call me when he is supposed to be at work. He tested positive for covid! &$&@& now what?? I decide to go on I feel fine but I decide not to stay with family in Texas. Just park truck and use a trailer he has hooked to his truck to unload bike onto. Get on bike and ride to Tyler stop at McDonald’s for wifi and choose a hotel. Stopped in Salem and picked up three rapid tests. I’ll use one in the morning and see what happens. I feel fine and set a new PB for 100 burpees in my hotel room just now. Finished audio book of Menno Moto really interesting look at Mennonite heritage by a guy who visited a bunch of colonies in central and South America. Big take away is living separate from the world and refusing to educate your kids doesn’t seem like the best idea.  Arkansas had more forests and hills much nicer. It was basically dark when I got to Texas. Saw some massive churches in Texas and maybe Arkansas. First Pentecostal church was particularly impressive.

Day 4

Tyler to Laredo. Still feeling good a little weary from riding such a long day but otherwise just fine. Was worried I had chills this morning but it was just because it was cold and humid and never got much over 15 until I got 2.5hrs from Laredo. Then the sun came out and there was no wind and the Hwy was perfectly smooth. Temp was closer to 25 then. Cruised at 80mph for those 2.5hrs.   Was a bunch of traffic around Austin almost a traffic jam but it did keep moving slowly. Lots of very interesting skyscrapers in Austin would be fun to tour them. Saw two places today advertising safaris with African animals kept on a ranch. Went to Palenque grill and had awesome tacos for supper. Staying at days inn just a couple miles from border. If my test is negative in the morning I’ll keep going. Covid protocols vary a lot in Texas the closer I get to the Mexican border the more it is like home but further away from the border I feel like I was getting looked at sideways for taking any precautions. There are some absolutely gigantic overpasses in Texas. The world trade bridge in Laredo is under construction?? Or maybe it’s a different overpass bc it was a ways from the border but it was huge. South of San Antonio there was nothing but ranch land until Laredo I don’t even think there was many other public roads than i35.  Lots of short scrubby trees just like in the pictures and movies.  I’m excited to cross the border tomorrow but I’m too tired to be nervous.

Day 5

Laredo, TX to Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas

Got going early 630 ish still dark. Used bridge 1  “Bridge to the Americas” paid toll went in “nada declarar” got waved through then had to drive around to find banjercito and migration offices. All in one building. Go to migration stand in line get form tourist card fill out card stand in new line hand in card and get it back with stamp. Then I stood in the wrong line for a bit then I went to correct line but had to go back to get a copy of tourist card. I had a copy of registration and passport with me. Then take all these copies and the originals to another window (banjercito) all women in this area. Wait your turn go to numbered window hand in paperwork and wait for teller to enter into computer. Give teller your credit card and I got my permits. Then on the way out there was a big line of cars. Officer told me I had to wait for line of cars to go. So once they started moving he waved me in to line. Still don’t know purpose of the line it was either traffic control so we all go at once or security for us bc you could leave the line anytime but it seemed like everyone stayed. Then we were taken outside the city to a checkpoint where some people got their papers checked. I got waved through. I stayed in line bc it was going where I wanted anyway. No one in Mexico obeys speed limit. I went by a cop doing at least 30 over and he had his radar gun out and didn’t blink twice mostly drive between 90-115 no matter the speed limit. Most of the time it was 60. Monterrey traffic was crazy I filtered to the front at lights. Just rubbed someone’s mirrror ever so slightly with my handlebars. Locals make it look easy a transit copy was filtering by me when traffic was moving (30kph at least) riding a full blown Harley with saddle bags and everything. He or maybe she was a very good rider. Pretty much rode all day except for a stop to get cash at bank and pulled in at a roadside stall for tacos. Also got some delicious soup with the tacos and a coke. 150 pesos.  Got a hotel room is clean bed is good has a fan and warm ish water 290 pesos. Got some tacos for supper 40pesos. Room is beside bus terminal and there is an adult video store beside. Secure parking though. Lots of drivers just leave signals on all day or for no apparent reason. Rules seem to be do what you want driving provided it’s safe. Saw two accidents today. Morning was cooler but mostly 30c all day. I’m headed into the mountains tomorrow hopefully cool off.

Day 6

CD Victoria to Gaunajuato through San Louis Potosí

Day started with a marvelous winding road temps were cool and warm depending on which side of mountain I was on. No coffee at the cheap hotel from last night so stopped at a roadside cafe. They had no written menu so ordering was a gong show. I told them just bring it all. I got a bunch of different shredded meats and egg mixed with potatoes and tortillas and coffee it was delicious. Bit of a headache all day. Pretty sure it’s from not enough caffeine or maybe not enough water but I was peeing. I had a electrolyte drink at one of the stops. Some straight roads today some winding it was a nice balance. Scenery was stunning food was great. I love Mexico. Second day in a row with basically no wind. How come more people from Canada don’t ride down here??  San Louis Potosí had a church around every corner took some pictures in the city center. Guanajuato is really cool and historic colorful buildings built into mountain side. Long tunnels with intersections. Used to be a silver mine (I think). Navigating here is nuts streets at different levels and nothing is straight. Found a nice hotel (Hotel Hacienda de conks) for 820 pesos more than double last night but probably worth it. Came with delicious free breakfast and lots of coffee!Walked into historic center ate too much delicious street food for supper. Tacos, corn dish, churros. Even bought a beer to celebrate an awesome day. Put some music on In my helmet for last 1.5hrs riding and  it was awesome. Just loved every second. Merry Christmas to me! Talked on the phone for quite a while with family. Got a SIM card with unlimited what’s app

Day 7

Wow days are starting to run together a bit. Glad I’m keeping notes. Today started off slow. Found out the hotel had free breakfast at 8 so I went for a walk to see La Pappilla statue. Pretty much had it to myself. One other family there with great views of the historic center of the city. Breakfast was awesome with an entire carafe of coffee. Then one of the workers had to play Tetris with the cars to let me out. The parking area was small and they really packed in the cars. Rode through Santiago de Queretaro on my way to Mexico City.

Got a picture of the still functioning aqueduct it was really cool and also for pulled in to a check stop and had my papers checked. Everything was in order and they let me go. I think it was shortly after SDQ there was a truckers parade. Lots of nice semis driving slow honking their horns on the highway. People were lined up to get pictures. Rode with a local biker for a while. He was absolutely flying along. It was fun. Saw a lot of bikers out for a joy ride today. It was Sunday. Almost everyone waved which was nice. First two riding days either didn’t see many bikes or not many waved. Almost got rear ended near Mexico City when I braked to let a semi move in front of me. He was already going so I didn’t have much choice but the semi behind me got pretty close to my bumper.

I bypassed traffic up to one of the toll booths by riding on the shoulder that was pretty cool. I am sort of tired of all the traffic I think I’ll stay in smaller places from now on. Took forever to find a hotel in the city center (Mexico city) there were people everywhere some streets were closed. I had a hotel picked out on google maps but they didn’t have any parking that I could see so I circled away from the center until I found this place Hotel Playa Internacional with secure parking and clean rooms. Good price 320 pesos. Close enough to walk to city center. There were police blocking some streets to foot traffic in one direction so it took awhile to make my way to the center. Center was packed full of people and all the shops felt like every major metropolitan center I’ve ever been in. It could have been Hong Kong if the signs were in Cantonese. The cathedral was really big and interesting to see inside they were holding a service so I watched a bit. Couldn’t understand it at all so I moved along.

Tacos didn’t appeal to me tonight so I got some pastries from a bakery. One had some kind of sweet cheese topping and the other was like a long John but with flaky crust instead of a doughnut. Also rich dark soil between After SDQ any crops currently growing need irrigation but farmers were turning soil and spreading fertilizer for the next crop.

Day 8

Mexico City to Santa Maria (Oaxaca state on hwy 135)

Got woke up at midnight last night. The hotel receptionist was saying something about my Moto. I assume it was in the way. I parked it in a car parking spot and probably should have put it in a back corner of the lot but I didn’t want to get blocked in again. Ok put clothes on evaluate odds this is some kind of trap. Probably not a trap hotel receptionist is super friendly even let me take a coke and pay for it later. He didn’t have any change. Anyway go downstairs and it’s not a trap some guys want to park there. I don’t know what the big deal is cause it’s a big lot and they coulda parked somewhere else and not been in anyones way even though there weren’t yellow lines painted. The lines on the highway don’t seem to mean much so I’m not sure why they are so important in a parking garage. Anyway I take the cover off and get ready to move the bike but then the guys are trying to tell me something and I realize they tried to move the bike but I had disc lock on and I had steering locked so they dropped it on it’s side! Sort of a lesson in locking things I guess. More often than not it’s to your detriment to lock everything up. Oh well I look the bike over there isn’t any damage. They offer to pay for whatever is broken maybe they don’t have insurance, they seem very genuine and concerned but nothing is wrong so I tell them no problem move the bike and go back to bed. I make sure to tell them I’m Canadian gotta be good for our reputation that I didn’t fly off the handle. My highway peg rotated a bit on the bar when it fell but I only notice during the day when I go to use it. Just loosen and tighten a couple bolts and I’m off. Rode out of Mexico City to see the pyramid of the sun. It’s very impressive. It’s not just one pyramid but a whole village and some other pyramids. Spend about 45min to 1 hr walking around taking pictures. I’m anxious to get going.

I think I like riding and seeing the country side more than the tourist attractions. The ride today was great I had an audiobook going which helped with the boring sections but there wasn’t too many. Road was twisty and lots of interesting traffic today. Pickup trucks loaded to the brim my favorites were the one with mattresses stacked really high and the one with corn stalks that made it so wide and tall I had a hard time looking around it for passing opportunities. I made some great passes today one in particular on a switchback coming down I could see there was no traffic coming up for miles so before the curve I pulled out and passed a couple cars and a really slow truck. Traffic was pretty heavy today so sometimes I was just stuck behind. Didn’t use the toll roads so went through more towns and lots of topes today.

Had a really delicious late breakfast eggs in some kind of taco soup. Didn’t want the ride to end so I gave myself a deadline of 4pm to pull into a town to find a hotel, then extended that to 5. When I did pull into a town it only had one hotel and I had to find the manager (not on site to get a room) 400 pesos which is more than last night and it’s not as nice. The manager made a show of spraying the beds with Lysol and then instructed me to stand in the middle of the room and sprayed me. Lol… I couldn’t stop laughing. I asked if it was for covid and was told yes but no one here wears a mask. So it’s very funny. Then when I went to find supper every little place to eat was closed I was told that there was a lady who would make me a hamburger but she said no. The most helpful person to give me directions worked at a convenience store and when everything was closed I went back to buy some snacks from her. She wanted to know how hungry I was and I said I hadn’t eaten since breakfast so in addition to the snacks I bought she gave me some homemade chicken soup and some tortillas. I bought 60pesos in snacks and told her to keep the change from $100.

Oh yeah and when I left the hotel for supper the house across the street had a couple saying goodbye to each other. It looked intimate but they did not seem pleased to be observed it definitely felt like a situation where it was the wrong man. He walked off in front of me and didn’t make chitchat but he was whistling. Saw a number of “love hotels” today you just drive in to a garage and door closes and that’s how you enter hotel room so I guess in this part of Mexico liaisons have a whole infrastructure.

The scenery here is great one mountain has snow and I went from pine forests to crop land to those really big cactuses with all the arms. I’ll get a picture with one tomorrow. There was some corn being harvested today some was stooked up and then I don’t know what happens it goes on a truck to be processed I guess. Some was being combined with older John Deere or case combines saw an older claas harvesting wheat. The wheat harvest looked normal but the corn harvest had people all over the field I think putting the combined stalks in piles, there was even a guy on roof of combine watching hopper I assume he let the operator know when it was full. In one town I saw corn in every stage of production right from tilled black fields to being harvested and then everything in between.

Oh yeah and my fuel pump is making a whine. Don’t love that. I’m sure I can rig something up if I have to but I’d rather not. I’ll send an email to Dave the mechanic and see what he thinks.

Day 9

Santa Maria to Tangolunda (resort area)

Roads were insanely twisty today. Never thought I’d be grateful for a straight road on a motorcycle but I actually had enough of the curves today. I think more curves tomorrow. I’ll probably be ready for more after a sleep. Stopped here bc some family are staying here. Had supper with family that was nice.  Came across a fatal accident on the road today. A pedal biker got hit by a car no more than 30min in front of me. Body was covered but still in middle of road when I got there.

Breakfast was delicious today quesadilla with sausage.

Day 10

Tangolunda to Tapachula

Was actually grateful for some straight roads today. Scenery started off brown and dry and gradually turned to dark green as I got into Chiapas. Views of the Ocean throughout. Bought my first coco frio of the trip. There will be more of those. Tapachula is a very interesting town. Seems to be a lot of hair dressers in town, which is something I haven’t noticed before this.

Found a great hotel (Hotel Cervantino) close to the main square but on a quiet street. Got to drive my bike right into the lobby. Awesome! Lots of medical stores and electronic stores also shoes and clothes.  Got my laundry done by a very nice lady just a couple blocks from the hotel. Tomorrow to Guatemala where I am meeting an aquaintance of a mutual friend.

Also bought a Bluetooth speaker for my host tomorrow who likes music. Hopefully he doesn’t already have one. I’m sure he has a cell phone, and before cell phones every dirt hut had a tv so maybe I missed the mark, we will see. Food is a blend here too more tropical influence in the Mexican dishes available at restaurants. I had a Hawaiian mix of cheese pineapple and taco meats and whatever spices were in there.&

Day 11

Tapachula to San Bartolo aguas calientes

Got up at 0545 to go to Guatemala border remembered I still needed to fill out Honduran precheck so I did that first and got organized for border re $ ect. Got to border to cancel my FMM I guess I never paid for it in Laredo. So I had to pay for it before it could be cancelled. Banjercito only open at 8 so I had to wait. There was some guys trying to help me but they wanted to work for tips and I didn’t trust them.

Paid a money changer 5% to change about $30 from pesos to gtq his first offer was 20% I maybe looked dumb. I probably still paid too much at 5%. I eventually got out of Mexico and on to Guatemala where I paid nothing for an entry stamp and gtq160 for the Moto permit. Took a long time to get the Moto permit and I had to get copies of my passport with the Mexico exit stamp and the Guatemala entry stamp. Sure am glad I didn’t just leave the Mexican border without the stamp. As soon as I got to Guatemala I started going up. It’s all a series of mountains so far.

Traffic is more chill here. Motorcycles still pass but people are more patient in traffic overall. There was a massive traffic jam to get into the city as I was leaving. Stopped for breakfast a little ways down the road. The people here are overall more friendly than Mexico so far.  The buses is Guatemala are very colorful and there are people hanging off them at times. Lol I expected to see that in Mexico but it’s just in Guatemala so far. 

Arrived in San Bartola and asked around till I found someone that knows the guy I am supposed to meet. Once he arrived we toured the church  and also the other church. Then we went to the hot springs and after that to supper. I gave pastor him a ride on the back of my motorcycle. Bc the main road in San Bartola was being repaved (new concrete) we could not drive on it so we had to take a tiny road into the town and we had to get over for some vehicles coming up a very steep hill. I got over too far and my front tire got into a gulley. I tipped bike on its side and pulled it out. No damage.

Day 12&

San Bartolo to Zacapa

I got going around 7am. I had to pee really bad around 8 and pulled over on the shoulder, the ground was uneven and I was struggling with the side stand and the bike fell over and snapped the front brake lever. But it broke where it was supposed to hardly notice a difference when riding. These roads are definitely more difficult than Mexico. You have to watch for potholes and all sorts of things on the highway. Bales, garbage, rocks ect. The drivers here are very courteous though. People are good with motorcycles going to the front and are usually aware of your presence on the bike and will drive accordingly. 

I got pulled in to a roadside check. I think they were looking for drugs. Went through my pannier pretty good. Looked at my passport and sent me on my way. Had breakfast over looking lake atitlan see pictures. It was beautiful. Drove mostly continuously to Zacapa after breakfast with a quick stop for gas and some liquids after I made it past Guatemala City. This country is great in the south it’s dry kinda like most of Mexico and in the north it is green. You can find almost any climate that suits your fancy here bc the elevation change the temperature.

Had my bike throw codes yesterday and the same today but I think it was related to some of the extreme altitude I got to. Said the bike was running either lean or rich. I reset it after breakfast and haven’t seen it since. The fuel pump whine is either not as bad or I’m getting used to it. Either way bike still runs goood. Tomorrow Honduras hopefully. I got invited to a New Year’s Eve party tonight I'm pretty excited to see what that is like. 

The motorbike culture here is great bike everywhere and of all types. I really like the ones that have extra light to highlight the engines. I got a number of thumbs up or waves today. Saw a guy on a bike carrying what looked to be a wedding cake on the back it was huge. Also saw a bike carrying a big gas canister (o2 or acetylene type) he had a rack on the back for two tanks that large but he looked overloaded with just the one. New Year’s Eve party was fun. Got to try Tomales they are famous Tomales apparently. Had some sausage with anise that was good. There was fireworks and then the grandpa was firing a pistol in the air I have no idea if they were blanks but I suspect not. At the end was a piñata which was fun to watch they had it on a string and attached were other strings so they could slide it back and forth to keep out of reach of the person hitting it. Once the candy fell out the little kids were just stuffing their shirts very funny to watch. Just in front of me two women who came only for the piñata left on a motorcycle (the driver was 17 and probably had too much to drink) they were popping wheelies in front of me on the way home. I think they made it. They turned off on a side street and I kept going.

Day 13

Zacapa to Santa Rosa de Copan

Went to el Florida border crossing to begin with looked very promising. Everything in one building Guatemala and Honduras so just go from one wicket to the next. Not many people there at 8am when I got there. Processed through both migrations and on to temporary vehicle import. Some sort of problem but the workers seemed very earnest to try and solve it. Apparently the guy who takes the money was not there it’s a holiday Jan 1. One of the three workers spoke some English and I speak some Spanish so the message was communicated. The Guatemalan agent was very helpful getting me photocopies no charge and really seemed like he wanted to help. In the end I had to turn back. I offered to leave the money and they could email a receipt but that was a no go. They said I should come back tomorrow but I really wanted to get going so I processed through migration going to Guatemala and went to the aguas caliente border. I laughed when the official used google translate to tell me to use aguas caliente because it said “you go and then you will be in hot water” at first I though I couldn’t go but then it was clear. I had to explain what was so funny.

At the AC border I was told to go in line 1 then to line 3 and finally to line 2 after standing in each line for a while. It turned out most of line 2 got the same run around and I think I was the only one not fluent in Spanish. We were all chuckling about it. Processed out of Guatemala smoothly and then the Honduran guy wanted the fee for the stamp but only exact change would do so off to the money changer. I asked the guy sitting in SAT booth what the charge was for importing the Moto but he said no charge which was funny bc that why I couldn’t get through el Florido. Got the Honduran stamp all paid up and on to bike import. Lots of conversations amongst 4 officials finally decided that I would get a temp export from Guatemala. I think this means I will have an easier time returning and then the Honduran guy went to work, as well as the Guatemalan guy at the same time. Honduran guy wanted proof that temp export was done but Guatemalan guy said he needed copies, I’d only been there 1 hr doing nothing. Honduran guy gave him a hard time about that. Ok so copies made and it’s all done and I’m asking if I pay at the bank but Honduras official says I pay him $35USD I got an official receipt and story jives with El florido so I pay him in a mix of lempira and USD bc again needs to be exact change.

After that I was on my way. Roads in Honduras are a mix of nice and treacherous. One police stop pulled me in just to tell me to be careful the road ahead had many potholes. They were right. Had my documents checked right after the border by Honduran military police. Friendly guys lots of guns. Found an acceptable hotel $500 lempira secure parking and quiet room. Maybe not the cleanest but not horrible either. A lot of places were closed but found a restaurant open nearby and had fried chicken and fries.

Then went to main square one of the smaller main squares but very nice with lots of trees and benches. Cathedral has a lot of wood on the inside and is more plain but they were having a very nice New Year’s Day service inside) it was full to capacity with people spaced for covid. Everyone wearing a mask mostly people even walking down the street have a mask on. and bought some rice pudding from the only vendor there. She was pretty busy. Sweet old lady I paid her twice what she asked and she was happy. $10HNL tomorrow I will try and get a test in Tegucigalpa and then the next day attempt the Nicaragua border.

More interest in the bike here with kids waving and other bikers honking their horn. Also I ran a toll yesterday. It didn’t look very official just in a really bumpy section of road some guys were asking for money. Maybe they were legit and were fixing that section but it didn’t look legit I went around.

Day 14 

Santa Rosa de Copan to Tegucigalpa 

Got up early to try and make it to clinic to get tested for Nicaragua border. Timing was going to be tight and at some point I missed a corner and went 20km in the wrong direction. So I gave up on getting that done today and had a leisurely breakfast at a restaurant. The prices were ok about $5 but it was geared to upper middle class and the food wasn’t as good as at a small roadside place. They bought the tortillas not hand made, the coffee was ok and came in a big cup. Saw lots of coffee drying and large delivery locations. I assume it is roasted at these locations and then shipped out. Some vegetable farming as well.

This whole country is mountains and I’m seeing a lot of dirt bikes on the street, with pretty knobby tires. I assume some of the backroads are pretty challenging. There are lots of lowered civics and Toyotas as well. More waves and honks today. This is a country that appreciates motos. In general though the people are not as friendly as Guatemala. 

Found a nice hotel close to testing location for 850lempira. Bed is nice room is very clean and has ac but I can’t get it to work. A fan is also provided. Went up to see concrete Jesus a 65ft concrete statue of Jesus overlooking the whole city in a national park. Lots of people up there bc Sunday afternoon and big line up of cars to get in but as usual motos to the front (love that) and I’m in. Paid 30lempira entry 10lempirs tip to guy who watched the bike and 30lempira for an ice cream. Spectacular views of the city from there. After that I came down and confirmed testing location.

Saw a number of Chinese restaurants in the area so having Chinese food tonight. Young lady at the door was listening to me struggle with Spanish and then in un accented perfect English asked if I spoke English. Then I tried to order and the waitress was Spanish and when I said what I wanted she was like no you don’t want I pointed to the picture and was like I want this. A mixed noodles dish. Apparently the pictures don’t match the pages. One of the English speaking Chinese girls came and helped me out. Still not totally sure what I’m getting. It just came it’s enormous I guess I have breakfast tomorrow too. I think the coffee is free at the hotel.

One other note about Honduras motos don’t pay on toll roads how awesome is that. There is a special lane to bypass the traffic.

Day 15

Tegucigalpa to Choluteca

Got up early showered and shaved on off chance I can attempt border today. Had leftover Chinese food for breakfast. 2 of the 3 microwaves turned on and sounded like they were doing something but my food did not get warm. Coffee was hot from a perk but stale probably there all night.

Then went to get tested for covid so I can hopefully travel to Nicaragua. Family of 4 is in front of me at testing location. Kids seem bored I’m not sure if they are all getting tested or just the dad who has already gone in. I think all of them are though. Kids are definitely old enough to leave at home. Mom is a nervous nelly pacing and swaying and hardly able to stand still. Also has a spray bottle which she uses on her hands anytime she touches something that isn’t her.  Probably good they went first she would have lost her mind watching me communicate with receptionist. They all went in for some kind of test.  Maybe they took some blood was in the crook of his arm. Receptionist tells me I will have results around 5 or 6 today so I guess I can only go up to the Nicaragua border. May have to find something to see on my way. Oh well I’m still on track to make it same day as everyone else if the test is negative.

Rode to choluteca and then to a hotel closer to the border some drunk or high guy was trying to get money from me and hotel owner wouldn’t open the door. She would have let me in if I wanted to stay but she didn’t have wifi so there was no point I needed to get my results from test. She spoke English and told me to trust no one. Her English was pretty good but it wasn’t clear to me if she meant drunk guy or just everyone.  This town is the typically sketchy border area.

Rode back to choluteca and got a decent hotel parking is not as secure as I’ve had in the past but it’s ok. Just not gated off. Hotel doesn’t have armed guards like every other business in this country.  Church’s everywhere here but no one trusts each other. Went to a mall today to use ATM and parking lot security guard wanted to make sure I took phone off my bike. He obviously didn’t think it would still be there when I got back if I didn’t.

Im a bit nervous about the Nicaragua border tomorrow. I hear it is chaos. Oh well try and have a positive attitude and I’ll get through. I have no worries about Costa Rica I know they are relatively organized.

Day 16

Choluteca to Liberia CR

Yes I made it I’m in Costa Rica this trip is a success. Still a 300km ride to Uvita area where I’ll meet up with Heidi and the girls tomorrow. I’m so excited. But even if bike quit on me now I’d get there. Best be careful on the roads though. Niacaragua border was actually alright. Show covid test and leave copy with official who gives you a slip of paper with a stamp on it. Show this to another official who gives you entry form. Job creation at its best. Then go to building and ask for entry stamp. Not so fast many questions from a fourth official. There was actually a pretty decent helper I paid him $5. Biggest thing he did for me was show me where to get entry form signed by yet another official. Paid for the entry stamp ($13) with a $20 got back 7 $1usd coins odd but ok. Gave 5 to helper. Then when I exited Nicarauga they didn’t want my coins. I got them to take them. That is ridiculous.

Met some other bikers at Nicaragua exit they were just ahead of me and gave me some useful tips that saved me standing in line for no reason. Frankly even the people who are fluent struggle it’s just trial and error. Nicaragua is very nice, volcanoes and beautiful farms. I would say the people I met when I had breakfast were very friendly too and I got a good vibe from the country in general. Garbage was being picked up and not just strewn everywhere and even if there is some inefficiency it seemed like people took pride in what they were doing. Definitely should go back on the see again with more time.

Found a $20 hotel in Liberia with secure parking for the bike. Went to a restaurant close to hotel which in other countries I would have expected it tot be cheaper but I was a bit surprised how high the prices were. Welcome to Costa Rica. Costa Rica border is pretty organized but when it comes to importing Moto they have 3 different people entering the same information. The insurance process is especially a head scratcher. i think it’s like mpi bc no private business would operate like that.

In Nicaragua the lady I bought insurance from was obviously her own show bc it was quick and efficient. Drank the water she brought me in a cup guess I’ll see how that goes. I think the water is safe here. Stayed to the main roads in NIC and CR and I would say roads are better in NiC.

Day 17

Liberia to Rental house near Uvita

Easy drive today but lots of traffic. Roads were good. Once I got to the coast it opened up a bit and I caught a police truck who was making some aggressive passes. I guess the speed limit doesn’t mean much 130 in a 40 zone no lights on and I followed. No problems. I think there is lots of interesting roads to explore around here on the bike. After we settle in a bit I’ll go on an expedition.