20. SanPedroAtacama to Mendoza

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The road between San Pedro de Atacama, Chile, and Purmamarca, Argentina, along Jama Pass, is almost a straight line, very good pavement and amazing landscape. Lakes of different colors, and vicuñas can be seen..

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Mainland Mexico- at last!

I had been told to go back to San Diego to have my bike repaired, but there was no way I was going to do that. I couldn`t get on the ferry for Matazlan so I took the one for Topoblampo just to get out of Baja.I arrived in La Paz and approached the same sales women at the Baja Ferries office and asked to change the date of my ticket. After what seemed like 20 minutes of her looking at the computer screen she told me there were no beds on the Matazlan ferry. Furthermore the next ferry for Matazlan was on Tuesday-- another three days. I couldn`t believe it but just had to get out of Baja.

Losing my Pillion

My guilt at feeling partially responsible for Ian's injury was eased a bit as I got up at the unearthly hour of 4.30am to accompany him to the airport this morning. He is coping well with his injury, although he has taken to the distressing habit of wearing his sandals a lot - even with socks so that he can do his shoes himself ( he is unable to tie shoelaces). He has some great bruises and one shoulder is at a funny angle and is much bigger than the other one giving him a hunched over appearance.

So if anyone is at Heathrow this afternoon, keep an eye out for Quasimodo.

UK meets (Intruder)

I had my wrist and hand surgery in December 2011.. all appears well but building up to longer trips. Range was limited to around 100 miles, dependant on clutch use...but now up to 350 miles, then I have to rest for a day or so till the swelling subsides.

21. Mendoza to Bariloche

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Many roads along agriculture corridors have cutting-wind trees, producing a beautiful, shady and cool landscaping in the hot summer.
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Amigo: ahora puedes leer la historia completa en mi libro "La Suramérica que recorrí". Ve a www.palibrio.com. Las fotos, míralas aquí.
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2006 August: Baja, Mexico

I finally crossed the border and immediately felt different.I stayed with another f650.com member in Chula Vista where I worked on the bike some more (and more and more)....

But soon I was off and crossing the border. After a brief stop in Ensenada I was off to Mike's Sky Ranch. Mike's is an off road mecca up a 20 mile steep dirt road. I didn't realize there would be sand, however. It took me 5 hours to get there but I was glad to be in one piece.

Still Shivering through Siberia

The days are chilly for riding and although I have an electric jacket and gloves- an essential in these sub-zero temperatures, one of the gloves is not working at all and so I am having to ride one-handed whilst sitting on the other hand to keep it functioning.
The night in the flat was a different one- more details to follow, but one of the guys ended up robbing me and things have been a bit mixed since then.

Previously on Rat Round the World …

OK, so the eagle eyed amongst you may have noticed that our intro says we are hoping to set off in August, it’s now October and we are still here. Who knew that organising round the world trip paperwork could be a full time job, so it’s handy that I no longer have an actual full time job.

I won’t bore you with the details, but after much faffing about with DVLA, the passport folks and the local council we now have a log book with the correct bike details on, new driving licences, new chunky passports and regular rent payments YAY!

Linxia

The morning I woke up in Wudu, besides having all my bones in pieces I really did I not want to look outside the window...

... rain.

Rain was coming down again. That morning it took me a few hours to get out of bed and believe me, a lot, a lot of determination.

Somehow I made it downstairs for a very long leg: 450km estimated.
Already in a bad mood, I also felt upset to leave so late in that I knew would have been a very long day.

Meeting Henry Part 2

Meeting Henry Pt 2

Patacones, por favor!

We went for lunch at a place along Av. Balboa...the 'Bar Club' of restaurants...Las Cascadas...a classic; the "Bar Club" of restaurants...The customs clerk wouldn't let me use the UK passport because my CR exit stamp was in the Cdn. So, $5 please. Brits go free.
Cheapest border yet for the bike - $4.
The hwy was white concrete, flet like the USA, ca thunk, ca thunk, ca thunk.
Up to Boquete and the cool highlands. Another windy isthmus. The closer i got to Boquete, the worse it got, blasting down the volcano.

Tuesday 18th May 2010

At 0430, I awake to the sound of crashing waves, then prayers being called. I had to think where I was. Today's route will take me up 315 miles of scenic coast roads from Imousanne to Mohammedia. Along the way I stopped off to wash the salt and dust from my still broken looking bike. I successfully dodged the donkeys, roaming cattle, oncoming trucks two a breadth, potholes and people trying to sell me hashees whilst travelling at 60 mph. I eventually arrive safely at Camp Said. It was the worst campsite yet.