Bruce

We eventualy got going from Cartagena on Thur late afternoom as the port had been closed for some reason. When we left the shelter of the port the wind picked up to 30 knots and the sea was huge and rough, it was kind of exiting to start with but then it was necessary to visit the rail a few times, no tigers left in the Caribean, shot them all. We made really good time and caught up the time lost in port, arrived in San Blas islands on Sun morning. The sea was calm, the sun was shining, and there are about 360 islands in about 250km, they are your typical tropical island, white beaches, palm trees and clear blue seas, stunning, Iwas very fortunate to have visited such a beatifull place. We arrived in Colon yesterday evening, unloaded and heard the news about Mexico and other places, yea, it does not sound good at all. I will get hold of  Karen Carter and try to find out the situation there, as I am about to start heading that way. If it is really bad I will probably have to fly to Miami and go on from there, but it will be sad to miss out Central America. Thanks for all the input, the bike survived better than I did, I have shot a fair amount of video and will be moving on tomorrow. More later, Adios.

Left Medellin Tue AM and headed for Cartegena, took the whole day, the roads are hectic, many trucks and busses on narrow winding roads. the scenery is really great, many different micro climates. Cartegena is a bit grotty and looks dodgy, the old city and fort are something to see. I was really fortunate with my timing as I managed to find a boat going to Panama tomorrow, it is a 50 ft , 2 mast and we can load my bike. It takes 5 days with a few stops on various islands, basically a sailing cruise to Panama and it will be nice to have a break from the bike and just chill. So hopefully it will be good . Colombia has been really good and is definately worth visiting. So half way through my journey and looking foreward to the second part. More from Panama.

I left Pucon and headed for Santiago, it’s similar to Taupo in NZ . Chile is much greener and lusher than Argentina, the change is from when you cross the border. Moving on it becomes like the KZN midlands lots of forrestry, mixed farming etc. Chile is much more advanced and happening than it’s neighbour, newer cars and trucks, industry that is organised and well run and much more. I spent the night on the Pacific coast, it was like Clifton in CT but no other houses really majic. Then moved on to Santiago where I had to find a new tyre and chain and some other stuff, it is a huge city, very well organized, but the trafic is hectic. Managed to find and do what I needed toand moved on north to La Serena. It gets drier as you go north and becomes desert. From La Serena Iwent in land to El Qui valley, wow what an amazing place, vineyards and orchards in the middle of the desert in the valleys and up the mountains, I can’t explain, nor can photos, it’s just amazing. I then moved on to Antofogusta, found a cabana on the beach so I’m chilling today, move on tomorrow to San Pedro D Atacama, it’s in the middle of the desert, a huge salt pan, a lunar valley and hot springs. The desert here is just dead not a tree, or plant, or a blade of grass, just sand and rock, no animals or birds, nothing! It’s quite intimidating at times, have to take spare food, water and fuel with. From there I’ll go in to Bolliviar and on to Peru. More later

Arrived in Pucon today, wow the trip here was awsome. Pity it’s still raining, move on tomorrow toward Santiago, need new tyres, done 7000 k’s and they are nearly done. Apparently it gets warmer at the coast. I met up with this Belgiun guy riding a BMW 1200 GS before El Bolson in this huge storm, I bumped into him again here so we had some more beers. It is a really stunning place with the volcanoes, mountains and lakes, loads of tourists. later Bruce

The glaciers are really stunning, pieces break off  with a loud crack! and plunge into the lake below with a loud crash and form icebergs. It is also cold here, but not so bad and it gets warmer north. Imet up with an American couple, we are staying at the same place, they sold their house , bought 2 kawasaki KLR bikes and headed south. They left Seattle in November, so they are a wealth of info for further north. And nice people too. I head north tomorrow in to the wildlands along the ruta 40, it is like the Karoo for about 1500 km all dirt road and harsh. Hopefully I’ll be in Barriloche in 3 days, thats where I’ll do the next update. Yea! I went out but the Irish pub was closed, so Ifound a local pub and had Beagle beer on tap, this beer really tastes like more, the best I have tasted. Tomorrow is where the real test starts, hopefully the wind will drop, so far so good! Adios

The world is a very small place,Imet up with Liegh and Paul and Nick Strever andLauren Blight last night, had a few beers and caught up. Amazing how you meet people you know in far away places, it was great.The bike is still not here, so I will only get it on monday,hopefully. I will just have to chill in BA for a few more days.

I leave for BA on wed 11/3/09, pick up my box on arrival, assemble my bike and head south for Ushuia. The bike is a BMW 650 DAKAR a duel purpose adventure bike. From ushuia head north to Alaska and along the way Ihave many places to see, people to meet, things to do. Why do I  do it, cause i am not well in the head. Hey it’s time to live! stay tuned more to follow.