CHAPTER CARTAGENA

Well today was a day of extremes. Extreme boredom and extreme worry. Let me explain dear reader

Today was the day the bikes came ashore to be cleared by customs. This is how it is done and how Mella arrived in style being ridden across the harbour. Again let the following photo sequence do the talking -

Coming

Coming

Nice day for a ride

Three , two , one

Heave !

Heave !!!!!!!

And welcome to Cartagena

Whew,whew,whew!!!!!!!!!!

If the photos are a little blurred it was because the hands were shaking. And of course there was a similar sequence ( if not worse) when the bike was lowered over the ships rail into the Zodiac ! It is what is called arriving in South America in style or with flair!

Then customs, bless their considerate souls , must have decided we looked stressed so they promptly made us sit in their customs reception area for 6 hours until the paperwork was done and the clearances obtained. How thoughtful indeed of them to give us a chance to chill out!

Six hours of waiting

Then insurance was obtained ( note insurance is obtained only AFTER the bikes arrive by Zodiac ! ). A quick jaunt thru the streets of Cartagena to the hotel and we are now ready to roll.

Which room Señor?

O.K., outside by the pool then !

Comments

The last post!

How do you summarise a motorbike trip around the world from Tokyo to Los Angeles?. With difficulty! Well we are not into record setting. But we believe we are the oldest couple in the world to ride a motorbike “ two up” ie with pillion passenger, right round the world on one season Let’s start off with the statistics for the little trip - Total mileage. 34,416 km * No of days travelling 165 No of countries visited 29 Max temp on bike 41 deg C Min temp on bike 0 deg.C No of punctures. One No of breakdowns. One

Chapters 1 and 2

WHY MOTORCYCLE ADVENTURES ? I have always been interested in adventure. Over the years I have climbed mountains, parachuted, had my private pilots licence, dived, sailed and done various adventurous pursuits (with various degrees of success I might add!). Motorcycling has been one of the later activities. Why motorcycles? Firstly it is all a bit easier on the body as one gets a little bit older. This is of course on the assumption that one does not inadvertently part company suddenly with said machine! Secondly, it does also require a bit of brain power - intellect you might say if that does not sound snobby. There is also, to me, an element of "man and machine" about motorcycling. Then if that is not enough justification in itself there is the scenery and the absorption into the landscape you are passing through. On a bike you see much much more than in a car, bus or train. You are aware of nuances in the landscape, you smell the smells and you become more than just

And a volcano stopped us!

What a day. First thing this morning it was off to check the rear tyre of the bike. Oh the relief ! The tyre was rock solid and the same pressure as after fixing yesterday. So it is a pack up and first day on the road today. We get on the way with a just a little bit of nervous excitement. On to the Japanese motorway system we go. And what a delight. The traffic is orderly, calm not going to fast and not too thick. We track right in towards Tokyo itself before bearing West. Yes, there were lots of spaghetti junctions - It looks like The Los Angeles motorway system but it is so much easier (and slower). Japanese politeness really shows thru’. However there were lots of toll booths - we had chopped thru about NZ$50 in the first hour and a half Then we are on to the slow bit and off the motorways. It was about a four hour stop and start crawl thru the urban sprawl of greater Tokyo. However I did find time for some serious reflection - I also saw a hotel called - and I kid you not

Hubbard Motorcycle Adventures

Search This Blog