Boguete, Chiriqui, Panama´ 12-9-2010

 
 
 
 

Boguete, Chiriqui, Panama´ 12-9-2010

Odómetro: 15,345.4 miles

We left the Pacific Coast and cut back into mainland Panama´. It was a very pleasant country lane the entire way. However, it did turn into a dirt road for most of 40 miles. Along that stretch it was single lane. We came across 2 consecutive old single-lane-rickety-rackety-bridges, just like the one that crossed into Cold Spring. Just before one bridge a part of the road had a deep sink-hole, marked by a tree planted in it. I Crossed out ont on to the first briidge with a smile. When I got out on to the bridge, I stopped to take the photo of the pot-hole. As I sat there, getting the camera out to take the photo I heard part of the bridge fall into the mud below. I thought ¨heighcky creighcky.¨ I was glad I had my ¨depends¨on.

Later in the day, at exactly 11:52 Panama’ time, (at full on high-way speeds, mind you) I noticed my shadow was still casting Southward, then, ½ second later, not South nor North, then a ½ second later, decidedly Norhtward. I thought ¨right on¨, the ¨Uncle Walternox.¨ The sun, due to the earth´s wobble, on its journey southward across the earth, combined with Uncle Walter moving northward, has just crossed Uncle Walter. Chevre! From now on, Uncle Walter´s shadow will be casting Northward and not Southward; the sun, no longer in my eyes, but rather, if not for my bucket, burning my ¨comb-over¨. ¿Are you like totally jealous, Gator-bean??

Happy Uncle Walternox, everybody!!

Uncle Walter

little friends on the playa, santa catalina, panama 11-9-2010

 
 
 
 

nice, huh, ccco-bean?

Uncle Walter

Playa Venado, Los Santos, Panamá 9-9-10

 
 
 
 

Playa Venado, Los Santos, Panamá 9-9-10

Odómetro: 14,981.1 miles

Had an excellent ride from Panama City to Playa Venado, sunshine, a few clouds and no rain. First no rain day since sometime back in Peru. The country side of Panama is wonderful. The mountains are not as high, nor the vallies as deep, but it is still great and very green. There seems to be a steady on shore breeze keeping the temperature down to just below too hot. The US $ bill is the currency, making conversion easy. The people are friendly and the food is good. Playa Venado is a surfing beach, but today the surf is down and the 5 surfers in town were all in the bar wondering what to do after the 2 weeks of perfect waves.

Santa Catalina, Ver Aguas, Panamá 10-9-2010

Odómetro: 15.174.4 mi8les

Another beautiful beach town. The sky was black this am and we decided to sit a day on the beach rather than put on riding gear. In the beginning of the trip, when it snowed as much as it rained, my riding gear was waterproof, now it is like wearing pampers. I guess you are never too young for ¨depends¨ but, do I have to wear them on my motorcycle trip across South America and Central America. It is so embarrassing.

Uncle Walter

Panamá City, Panamá, Panamá 5-9-2010

 
 
 
 

Panamá City, Panamá, Panamá 5-9-2010

Odómetro: 14,736.2 miles

After 4 days and 3 nights aboard the Stahlrattle it was good to get going on the bike again. It is always good to get away and have a rest from riding, but for this one case, that usually does not get me closer to the goodie rolls. We arrived in Panama City long before dark, but not in time to get the paper work done at customs to temporarily import the motorcycles. There are no customs agents in Carti and we had to drive 3 hours to Panama City, arriving after 16:00 to find customs in Panama City closed. The next day we were then told by customs we needed 3rd party insurance before they would fill out the paper work. The insurance companies would not under write the policy for bikes that do not have the proper papers from customs. I asked if they all had trained at the US Customs School of Dingle berries. With a good laugh under his belt the customs guy filled out the papers for me and I was off in search for insurance.

Uncle Walter

By-passing the Darien Gap--Life on the Stahlrattle 3-9-2010 to 6-9-2010

 
 
 
 

Life on the Stahlrattle 3-9-2010 to 6-9-2010

A boat ride from Cartagena, Colombia to Carti, Panama is a fun way to by-pass the Darien Gap. It was a great experience; that is if you like floating through beautiful tropical islands surrounded by turquoise waters and blue skies, eating excellent food, seeing gorgeous sunsets and sun rises and enjoying lively company. If not, then maybe life on the Stahlrattle is not for you. For example, Clem would not have liked it with all the snorkeling along the coral reefs, seeing the colorful fish and dolphins off the bow, eating lobster and shrimp for dinner and drinking all the pop you could stand. He is more of a cow tongue and pig´s feet and a slug of dry water to washer´down kinda guy, but that is how he does it and he still gets through, right Clem.

I don´t know why, but we loaded our bikes in the dark the night before we left. Hmmmm?

Uncle Walter

Thanks KK!!

Cartagena, Colombia 1-9-2010

 
 
 
 

Cartagena, Colombia 1-9-2010

Odómetro: 14,652.9 Miles

Rain. Found out today that it is not the rainy season in Colombia. Hmmm. I would like to see the rainy season.

Cartagena is an old walled city, very cool, or ¨chevere¨as they say here in South America. It has two really neat features, the old walled city and the fortress. I went and toured the old fortress, designed to protect the city. I was so glad Terry and Tommy were not with me. They would have been soooo escaredie-chicken. Try not to look at the picture of the dark tunnel too long, as you too may get escared and soil yourself. YYEwwwwww, escarredie-chicken.

Uncle Walter

The next set of blogs is sponsored by Aunt KK. Thank you, KK, in advance.

Santa Marta, Magdalena, Colombia 29-8-2010

Santa Marta, Magdalena, Colombia 29-8-2010

Odometer: 14,504.3 miles

Rain. Hot. Nice Hostal. New back tire, then a flat. Next city.

Uncle Walter

Happy Bitrhday Lindser B, my favorite resident!