|
  | |  |
Curves, Accident and Panama
Entry 18 of 41 | show all | print this entry |
|
November 14th
Another hot sunny day. As we left the hotel early this morning two yappy little dogs insisted on barking their heads off until we left. We stopped for some breakfast and hit the road. Once again the road twists and turns as we carve the mountain side it was incredible. We rode through rain forests today, butterflies and birds dancing in front of us. The view is spectacular as we peer into the valley below. We come across a waterfall right next to the road. It was a small waterfall with a significant drop 40-50 feet. As I stood below it the mist cooling my skin, the noise of the water hitting the small pool literally deafens me and the amount of wind produced by the water falling shocks me. As we continue on our way we come around a blind corner and there is a tree lying across the road. Several people were standing around wondering how to get around the tree. There was just enough space for the bikes to zip around it. We also come upon sections on the road where landslides from overhead completely block one lane of the highway, so my guard is always up.
The bike has become my home now, my true "safe" spot. After 8000 km's in less than four weeks a symbiotic relationship has developed.
Later in the day we stop to fuel up, as we are refueling an ambulance goes flying past the gas station. We continue on our way and approach a construction zone. A police officer standing at the front of the construction zone not a flagman. As we drive past the officer there is a large pick up truck with it's windshield smashed. A quick glance and I can see a small motorcycle underneath the front axle of the truck. A pool of blood just a few inches from the front tire. A nasty reminder of one's vulnerability on a motorcycle. My mood was hampered immediately and my thoughts remained with the accident victim for the rest of the day.We stopped in the city of Cuidad Neilly just 12 km's from the Panama border. We found a great motel with secure parking and a restaurant attached. We settled early that afternoon, which was nice because it feels like 45 degrees with humidity in the shade.During our down time we started to discuss our options for shipping the bikes to South America. Total cost to ship to Quito Ecuador is 1500.00 U.S. Not what we are willing to pay. We are waiting for another source to get back to us before we make any decisions.
November 15th.
Wide awake this morning at 5.00 , I try to take a nice hot shower which we paid extra for and trust me an absolute luxury in Central America. There's no water ! So I go to reception they gave me a key to another room for a shower. We have a great breakfast at the hotel and head for the Panama border. Wow the last one for Central America! As we approach the border more "friends" approach, I hire two youngsters to show me the ropes for both borders. Again sticking to my rules posted earlier, while Mike watched the bikes. We spent apx 2 1/2 hours exiting Costa Rica and entering Panama. The issue is not us leaving and entering a new country, the challenge and time is getting the bikes legally in and out of each country. After every border within 25 km's the police stop us to check our documentation. As we were about to leave Panama Aduana or immigration, we are approached by a gentlemen who works for a Panama T.V. show called racetrack T.V. He wants us too say hi to their viewers from us Canadians Ehh... after a certain level of hesitation we agreed. Once that's done, back on the road again as we make our way to Cuidad David we have a bit of a monotonous ride. The rain forest has given way to flat lands again. The highway quality itself is good, and with the exception of a few curves very straight.
I'm in a great mood we have crossed the final border in Central America. We arrive in David far earlier than we expected and decided to keep riding too Santiago. We stop at an indigenous person's road side shop and look at his goods and slightly stimulate the local economy. As we continue to ride there are huge black clouds ahead of us. We stop and put on our rain gear, less than a minute later the rain starts. At first it's a soft gentle rain that cools things down, but as we continue riding the rain gets much heavier. The drops themselves feel like small ball bearings pelting against my riding gear through to my skin. OUCH. Then the lightening starts all around us, the thunder so severe it shakes my bones more than the single cylinder thump from the KLR. We pull over for a minute but the rain doesn't subside. We know we are close to Santiago and decide to carry on. The rain continuing and the wind picking up, all I can smell is a strong eucalyptus scent . We ride out of the storm just as we enter Santiago. My Aerostitch riding gear is great. My clothing underneath is dry, however my left "waterproof" boot is saturated the glue has given away at the sole. We find a suitable hotel and settle in for the night.
November 16th
Another hot day, I slept in until 7.30 this morning.We consult our map over breakfast and decide we can make it to Tecuman. There is very little to see as we make our way towards Panama city. The odd little town and flat grasslands. There are a few mountains far off in the distance ahead of us. As we approach Panama city we missed the sign for downtown. Suddenly and completely unexpected we are crossing the Panama canal. I stand up on the foot pegs and get a fantastic bird's eye view of the action below. A large container ship is being pushed by two tug boats.
But how did this happen. Our map doesn't show a bridge and a sign shows south to Paraiso. We are confused. We consult our compass and we need to head south towards Panama city. We get back on the highway and suddenly we are riding next to the Panama Canal. We pull over to watch the tug boats push the container ship towards the Miraflores locks.We continue on our way following the canal. We then need to enter Panama city, again no signs to tell us which direction or highway to take. It begins to rain. We push on getting more lost in the downtown core. Finally a fellow motorcyclist pulls up and offers to lead us to the correct highway heading towards Tocuman. We stop at a payphone to call Mike's contact which he had previously arranged for us to stay at while we figure out the transporting of our bikes to South America. We try calling the numbers no luck. The girl at the counter who speaks no English tries to help Mike and she can't get through either. A young Gentleman who speaks a little bit of English calls the number from his cell phone. Success we have contact. The person on the other end gives him exact directions. He offers to lead us to where we need to go. We agree. We follow him up the Cerros Azul Mountain the road gnarled and curved, heaving this way and that with tight hairpin turns. He knew exactly where to go. A car avoiding 3 pedestrians swerved toward me, I react quickly and very narrowly miss getting hit. I pull my underwear out from between my cheeks and we carry on. Our host meets us at the entrance to a gated community, we thank our new friend for showing us the way and for his kindness. We arrive to our new home for a couple of days. We enter the home and the back yard is rare Elfin forests that overlooks the shimmering lights of Panama city. Wow. We get settled in and Mike being the chef that he is whips us up a fine dinner of Kraft dinner and beer.
November 17th
A beautiful sunny morning, I start a pot of super strong coffee and we enjoy our pristine view of the city. There are birds everywhere here, we were greeted by several hummingbirds and a flock of Toucans that landed in a tree 15 feet from us. After a relaxing early morning we start contacting freight company's. Mike's lead panned out...... we booked our bikes to fly from Tocuman to Cali, Columbia
Thursday. Cost to ship the bikes 700.00 u.s. We then book the flights for ourselves 300.00 u.s. Less than 2 hours later one of the biggest logistical hurdles of our trip is set. A heavy fog sets in followed by a thunderstorm. I wash my laundry in the sink which I have become quite efficient at and then I rinse them in the shower. Our host who owns several lots and homes on the mountain shows us around. If one desires they can purchase a lot in Panama with the description mentioned above for apx 30,000 u.s. One can also buy a property with a home already built on it. Anyone looking for a great retirement or investment opportunity. The rain eased off late this evening, again the heavy fog persists and there is a beautiful orchestra symphony of frogs and crickets just outside the door.......
Latest Comments (1)
|
Bugs in your teeth (reply)
Nov 21, 2008 21:19 EST by uncletrevor
Moe
Twenty thousand miles, more scenery then you will ever see again. Take it in, enjoy, send pictures and smile. Enjoy your life time experience!
Keep well.
Love Trevor & Annette
|
 Post a new comment |
|
If you like this entry, search for other entries from Panama or try a new search. |
| |
Back to Entry - Back to Home
|
5 votes 
