Santiago Summer

It´s 8:30 on a Santiago morning and I´m walking to school. The Chilean sun feels nice on my back. Its cheery yellow light casts long shadows down the sidewalk, showing me the way. Ahead, an old man, wearing rumpled old man clothes, generously waters his part of the sidewalk, and by design or accident I´m not sure, drowns his flowers, lawn and the trees by the curb. There is no nozzle, the water just pours out and hits the sidewalk in noisy splashes. Daily this ritual of flooding everything occurs and he´s not alone.

In Assinie - laguna side 1

Japan 2001 - Land des Laechelns

Stroemdender Regen, als das Faehrschiff nach vierzig Stunden auf See, von Wladiwostok kommend, im Hafen von Fushiki einlaeuft. Die Zollformalitaeten sind eine Angelegenheit von ein paar wenigen Minuten. Der Zollagent des Schiffes begleitet mich auch noch zum Zollbuero, wo das Carnet de passages fuer den Toeff abgestempelt wird. Nippon e Yókoso oder zu gut deutsch, willkommen in Japan. In Japan anzukommen, ist fast wie auf einem fremden Planeten zu landen. Alles scheint hier anders zu sein, nichts vertrautes.

Update

Slovenia Car park camping. Damp

Tikal

The Honduras-Guatemala border crossing goes well. Within an hour I am riding a zigzag course for the Mayan ruinas of Tikal. As I ride the Penìnsula de Yucatàn north I reflect on the history read in preparation for this amazing city of 100,000 and 60 square kilometres. The Tikal site was first inhabited around 600 BC but by AD 869, the last ruler, Hasaw Chan K'awill II, was watching the near end of his city state. By the time the conquistadors arrived in the 1500's, the Yucatán jungle had a several-century head start of invasion.

Deep in discussion with Roger - our new Swedish rider friend

Roger is on his way - on an Apache bike no less - to Kenya

7TH MAY TO WALK OR TO RIDE?

Today the team have stayed in Vernet. Colin had an early morning swim then they went up into the village for a Pastice. ( not a Danish, but an alcoholic anaseed drink that is consumed any time of the day.) Well thats what they tell us! This was followed by a coffee at a cafe then to the Patteserie for fresh croisants and bagettes to take back for breakfast. They all then went to see a monastary. This should have been a 1.6 k walk up a steep path but alistar managed to force the barrier arm up so they could ride up.

Update

We left Antigua for Lake Atitlan, and some very nice people. Great breakfast, medical attention, and even made me a rice bag to heat my sore hip. After the shot wore off from the Obama health care plan, I was in real big pain for 3 days. Actually, I was in such pain we gave thoughts of returning home.

Colombia - Desierto Tatacoa to Tolu

Despite the heat, and the noisy generator under our window, armed with ear plugs, we sleep reasonably well, but the following day is an absolute scorcher, there is really nowhere to escape the heat. The shelters are corrugated iron and brick which seem to absorb more heat than offer any kind of respite. There is a pool but as it is a long weekend I think every resident of Neiva has descended upon it, so it is almost impossible to find a space, let alone swim, we opt for continuous showers throughout the day to cool off.

In Lusaka

In Lusaka - a bit of an unforeseen hurdle - DRC embassy doesn't wish to issue our visas... Beginning with a plan B approach tomorrow : heading to the border with a bottle of whisky and some dollars. More later with some pictures - especially on the first part of the trip through Botswana, Zimbabwe, and into Zambia. Main highlight : Victoria Falls - what an absolute treat.

16TH MAY, TOO DANGEROUS TO RIDE!

Today is a ride from Ptuj Slovenia to Szekesfehervar, 276ks.
It is now very very very wet! It is Extremly windy and the roads are covered with branches and silt washed off from nearby crop paddocks. There are lots of trees down and it has become far too dangerous to continue riding! Henk and Pia stopped after only 30ks up the road and they decided it was time to spend another night in a bed. there are big floods all over Europe!

Update

What can you say about Rome. It was a power for over 1000 years. From some small mountains and a swamp, it conquered and established an empire that surrounded the Mediterranean. Before entering the Forum, the conquered got to see the place that they may have to perform to their death - The Coliseum.