Alot to catch up on!!!!

So, I apologize for not keeping the Blog up to date. Internet access is very difficult, unless you have your own laptop with you. Many places have wireless routers, but not public computers.

Since the last posting I basically rode every day back through Hoduras, San Salvadore, Guatamala, and up thru the Pacific side of Mexico. That is an incredible ride in itself. I had so many great times and spent some extra moments enjoying the ride thru all the countries.

The only bad moment of my travels was at the Guat/Mex border where my camera was finally stollen. I realize now that a suspect on a local 450cc Yamaha that was talking english to me on the Guat side, probably was the one that did the deed. It goes to show you that usually it is someone that knows you that is in the best postion to steal your property!!! Luckly, while I was in CR my friend Chuck copied all the files from my camera, and he will send at least those to me!!! I realized the camera was stolen about 50 miles into Mexico and I really tried to cry about it. But I was unable to do so. If that is the worse thing that happens in a 6 week, 10,000 mile motorcycle ride through Central America, I was actually a very lucky guy!

I arrived yesterday saftely back here at my Uncle Georges place north of Tuscan. I have booked a flight out back to Detroit this afternoon. My Uncle Wes, who happens to be visiting George for the winter, will take me to the Phoenix airport.

In total I want to say that a trip such as this is only experienced by a lucky few people. Most do not have the time or resources, or the health to give it a try. If you decide to go, just remember that I really did not have one bad experience. Most everyone throughout Central America that I met were quite nice and friendly!! I feel much more threatened in Downtown Detroit than anywhere south of the Border. I know that this is quite contrary to public opinion, but it is the honest thuth. 99.9% of those people are great, you just have to be streetwise enough to avoid the small few, as anywhere else in the world.

I had many messages on the cellphone and it turns out lots of wrought iron and decorative painting jobs to do!! I am anxious to get back home and return to reality. Expecially to see my trusted friend the Jack Russell Terrior...Mr. Foey.

I'll try to add more to this Blog as I relax and have more time to reflect upon the trip. Thanks for following my Blog, and stay tuned for my next big adventure!!!!!

Volcanoes on the right, Pacific Ocean on the LEFT

I left Liberia CR early, about 6.oo am headed to Nicarauga. It was EXTREEMLY windy and the bike was jumping about 2 feet back and forth. There were many trees down, proving that this was not your average storm. An 18 wheeler was completely blown off the road, on its side in the ditch. I wanted to stop and take a picture to prove the point, but was afraid that I would be blown over. Remember that the gyroscopic forces of the bike at 60 mph makes it much more stable if you have the guts to ride it that fast in the wind!! Anyways, within 25 miles of the Nicarauguan Border the terrain becomes much denser and the wind was now longer a factor and I was still moving.

The Border crossing went quite smoothly and I was back on the PANAM highway up along Lake Nicaraugua. Thats where you see the Volcanoes on the right and the Pacific on the left...going north!!!

At the last second I decided to go to Grenada, the oldest Spanish City in Central America..1523. This is a great little place with alot of history. I explored the place and took alot of pictures. I checked into the Bearded Monkey Hotel. Its a hostel and really cool. Every nationality represented. I am currently drink in the Pub and doing the Blog. Oh, beers are .75$ and a room is $8. What a bargain. You can rent a fully furnished house here for $125 per month.....

I'll decide after a few more Mohitas on where to go next or to just stay for a few more days!!!

Bye for now!!!

Toured the Nikoya Penisula

I left Chuck and Diannes place early and on my way out to Nicaragua, I spontanously decided to drop down to Punteranis and get on the Ferry Boat to the penisula. I road out along the road about 40 miles until the pavement stopped. While haveing a drink I meet some locals from Denmark and they told me that it was all gravel back north to the border. So, I had to get back on the Ferry and back to the PanAm Highway. I am now just south of the Nicaraugua border and plan to get up early and make the crossing thru Customs....Oh, I cannot wait!!!!!!!!!!

I plan to do a long ride all the way to Leon, Nicaragua, where there is a great hotel/restaurant called Jacks Place. We stayed there on the way down last month.

Bye for now!!!

Enjoying Costa Rica

Explored the Lodge grounds early in the morning; they had some wonderful gardens. The riding was spectacular and reminded me of southern France. The countryside is absoluetly georgous. THIS IS THE PLACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I toured the Arazu Volcano and the ride up to the top was really great. The ride back down was much better as the views were right in your face.

I had a number of responses to the sale of the bike from people along the way. One of these were Chuck Jennings in San Jose. So after riding the mountains for the day I navigated through the City to meet with him. I met up with him and followed him to his Fantastic House overlooking San Jose out to the west and the Pacific Ocean. Chuck and his wife Diane have invited me to stay in their guest house and even took me out for a wonderful diner last night.

We went for a ride this morning down toward the airport for breakfast and for Chuck to test the bike. It was sunday morning and the streets were vacant of vehicles. Everyone here is caught in a paradigm that they need to have an enduro type bike. Much like the Big Three Car Companies sold large SUVs to the American Public. They think they need them but never take them off the road or even put them in 4 wheel drive. So, not-with-standing, I doubt that Chuck will make a realistic offer on the bike.

Chuck has turned out to be quite intellectual.... philosophical, and opinionated about world events. He is a computer fiend and is president of the Costa Rica PC Club. He has a refreshing perspective about the World!! We have talked at some length on the state of affairs and his viewpoints are similar to mine.

So I have decided to get up early in the morning and head to Nicaraugua. Please note that I have added many pictures to the last few Blog entries. Thanks again for following!!!!

Heading North Again!!!

After reviewing the options, I have basically decided to ride the Bike back to Tuscan Arizona and leave it with my Uncle. Then I will fly home, and return in the spring for a ride up through the Rocky Mountains and back home.

I left Niels place a few days ago and rode out to Bouquete Panama. It was voted the number one place to retire in 2006....thats what I was told. It was a very nice place. The next day I headed out to the East to the coastal islands of Boca Del Torre. That was an increadibly beautiful ride. Boca Del Torre seemed to be a hippy type place and there seemed to be many unscrupoulos characters. So I decided to continue along the Coast to the North and across the Border to Costa Rica. The border crossing was quite crude. They have a one lane bridge from the 1940s that only one vehicle at a time can cross. Even large Tour busses cross, but all the passengers must walk!! The paperwork was so easy compared to doing the busines at the main border in Canoes Frontera. From there I headed North to a pleasant village next to a Costa Rica Provincial Park.

Stayed at another $15 Hotel...very nice for the price. In the morning I walk the nature trail along the coast and saw 100s of monkeys. One mother came right up to me to show here small baby holding onto her stomach. The area really looked like a scene from Robinson Carusoe. The walk was about 5 miles and I was ready for breakfast!

I left there to Limon, a large port city that was very industrous with lots of busy people. It was clean and the people were nice. Many vendors around selling bananas, pinapples, and other things. It made Detroit seem like a hopeless ghost town!!! I asked a taxi driver where I could find a place to wash the bike. I followed him to a car wash place and the guys there washed it for 3$. Those guys really were up on the news about America!! They wanted to know when the US economy would recover and what I thought of G. Bush. I did give them my opinion that the decade was a lost opportunity for our Country. Thanks to GW Bush, Dick Chenny, and that intellectual monster Karl Rove.

I left Limon and rode up the mountain range toward San Jose and checked into the TurrialticoLodge.com. You can see their website and it has to be the most beautiful place. An active volcano that recently made international news is visable right from the veranda!!!!!

Thanks for watching my BLOG!!!!!!!!!!!

More local details

Yesterday was spent doing various odd jobs. Helped Niel pick up a golf cart that he will be working on. Then Niels girlfriend family (all 15 of them ) showed up at the House for a barbeque and pool party. It was all great fun and I was enrolled to give everyone a ride on the fancy German Bike.

This morning I got up at 6 am and rode out to Punta Chamie. It was 80 degrees and a beautiful sunny morning to ride about 10 miles out on this beautiful penisula jutting into the Pacific Ocean. I found a great new Hotel there and had breakfast. It was really nice that I met a number of Columbian and Panamanian people on a holiday. One man, Cesar, from Columbia, was particularly friendly and offered me a cigar after breakfast. Which I smoked during a nice geopolitical discussion. He felt also that Obamas acceptance speech comments about justifying the wars was a complete dissapointment for the world. The evil military Industrial Complex wins again. He has house in Columbia and I may very well take him up on an offer of assistance when my next trip takes me to the SOUTH of here. They also all invited me to a picnic at their place later today. I also met the owners of the new Hotel and found 2 new projects for Niels Granite Business. I may return this afternoon with Niel and some samples. (I still cannot resist the temptation to sell something!!!!...and to pay my way!!!)

They also suggested the possibility of shipping the bike to Miami as there are many open sea containers going that way. That would greatly simplify my return. My other option is to ride up to Costa Rica, there is a guy there that wants to buy the bike. Options, options!!!! I did hear that it is 10 degrees this morning at my house, so I am thinking that I will not rush into any decision soon!!!

I am always amazed in my travels at the level of hospitality you find. People always are interested to hear your story and exchange ideas. I think this is the real majic of getting out in the world. Out from behind those walls we put up in the name of safety!!!

More details in the City

I am now hanging out at Niels house. He has a nice place with a large pool. No internet though!


So yesterday I spent time
finding a new front tire
finding someone to mount it on the rim
touring the MiraFlora Locks
finding and buying 20w50 oil for the bike

New years eve day:
washed the bike
changed the oil
did the laundry
paid the speeding ticket