Darien Gap
Trip Start
Oct 20, 2008
1
19
41
Trip End
Feb 28, 2009
Panama City,
Panama
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
I had a nice quite day today. The weather is warm with heavy clouds.
I took a walk through the Elfin forest. Which I might add was quite a workout. The hills are very steep here and after an hour and half walk I was tired. There were numerous birds and butterflies. I was hoping to see something a little more exotic like a snake or tarantula or even a wild cat. No such luck. Mike went too the Panama Canal Museum late this morning. While he was gone I wrenched the bike and changed the oil. I then prepared everything for tomorrow, we have to drop the bikes off a day in advance at the Air Carrier.
Sorry I should explain why we are flying the bikes to Columbia.... The Pan American Highway ends literally at the town of Yaviza in Panama. At this point there is apx 200 miles of dense jungle between Panama and Columbia called the Darien Gap before the Panamerican Highway begins again in Columbia. There are no roads joining Panama and Columbia. Reports indicate that they have tried to pave this road to Columbia for years. However there are several indigenous groups living in the jungle and it is also a highly dangerous area due too the Columbian Drug Cartel's occupation in the jungle and therefore no road has been built.
Given this we are forced to fly the bikes over the Darien Gap too either Columbia or Ecuador. We chose Columbia due to the substantial cost savings and the relatively short distance we need to travel from Cali to Ecuador.
The next three days are going to be very busy shipping the bikes and ourselves to Columbia then getting the bikes released from Customs. We have a contact in Columbia who is going to help us with the release of the motorcycles from Customs. We hope everything goes smooth.
Comments
Thanks for the info
Thanks for the information about why you had to fly your bikes. Clyde was wondering why you had to do that. We are really enjoying your blogs, and hold our breath every time one gets here. Praying ya'll are safe and still in one piece!!!
Take care,
Colleen & Clyder
Thanks for the info
Thanks for the information about why you had to fly your bikes. Clyde was wondering why you had to do that. We are really enjoying your blogs, and hold our breath every time one gets here. Praying ya'll are safe and still in one piece!!!
Take care,
Colleen & Clyde
Jump the Gap
Aha, We knew you had a plan to cross the Darien Gap. We read that the only safe way to cross the gap was by having your own army. Looks like you will make it to Peru by Christmas.
Paul and Betty
South America ..Here they come!!!
Wow...Out of North America, Central America and on to South America. You guys are doing great. We will be praying the next 3 days go smoother than you could ever expect and you will be on the road again by the weekend. Enjoy the adventure.
Chris and Bonnie
Soooo jealous
Hey nephew! I love the blogs. They make my face turn red with laughter and green with envy. Just wish I was riding with you two. Maybe next time?
Martin