Had a butterflies in my stomach all night as well as in the morning, not knowing what might happen to my bike was just killing me. After few good byes Dough and I got the taxi back to the cargo area so He can find out where and what and I need it to pay the remaining 300 for the bike shipment.
The flight was good and on time, but the Bogota airport was way overloaded with people so That took a while to get through, roughly around an hour or so. The cargo in Bogota is not far so you could consider walking but I had bunch of stuff with me so I took a taxi and got ripped off right smack on the good afternoon Colombia :) It was my fault thought as by mistake I handed the guy a 50000 bill as all my stuff were out of the car and the dude took off before I could remember the taxi numbers, well what goes around.... lol, oh well.
ok I had some running around the place as the people there were giving me wrong directions so here is the correct info for those that would fly their bike by Girag air cargo
(step one that I did not do, I guess you can purchase insurance at the airport, I'm not sure about that info and I still don't have insurance and tonight I'm meeting ADV rider for dinner so I hope to get that info)
OK back to cargo
First walk into to the building before the gate (Blue glass building on right of the entry driveway) and at the front desk you will register and get pass to go inside cargo area.
Next, got to office 500 (you will see numbers on building, about 100 yards from the gate to the right) the office is on top floor past cafeteria. Present your copies to the lady at front desk and they will get all needed paper work for you.
Than you will walk back to the first floor and walk through the door on the right ( right when you facing the stairs) you will hand your paper work to the lady at the last window and she will look it over, stamp it and I think she might give you one more to the collection.
Next you go back to the "blue" building before the gate and go to the 3rd floor, the security guy will ask you to sign in and take you to the Aduana desk where the lady will take your stuff, make copies and fill out few sheets of paper work, with me so far? lol. Once you are done here your bike is registered in Colombia.
Last you go back to the lady at first floor in office 500 and hand all paper work back to her, she will issue a order of release and from this point you will wait for your bike, you will have to drive down the ramp to the parking lot. From this point you are free to leave any time you want, you will go left and through exit gate.
Good luck and have fun I hope it was clear enough :)
Cheers
Ps. the bike arrived in the same condition I left it with all bags still on it :)
for some reason stupid blog wont accept pictures from smugmug today so see my ADV report, I will post pictures here when its all fixed
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Few thoughts on Central America
Over all it was a amazing experience, the good, the bad and not much of ugly. So far it has been a very lucky ride and I hope that it will stay that way, I did not get pulled over once and did not had to pay any bribes to anyone. Dropped my overloaded cow twice with very minor damages, did not get any flats.
I've meet lots of great people along the way, both local as well as travelers like me so that was great.
Guatemala - awesome country with very friendly people and amazing views (crazy chicken buses) Antigua is on must do list, if you planning on doing your service at the BMW dealer call ahead first an ask to hook you up in the 20dol hotel otherwise you will pay 100 per night. I would love to see this country again.
Honduras - Copan Ruinas is a amazing place to see, The Atlantic coast is nice but the old Spanish forth is ok at best. Drivers are insane and dangerous and the roads in most places are pure crap. Don't really care is I see Honduras again (except for Copan)
Nicaragua - pure awesome!! without any doubt I will come back and spend more time in this country, I love how raw it is and the volcano's are just amazing, you can stay as cheap as 6 bucks per night and you will not get bored there, Thumbs up for that place
Costa Rica - I would love go back to visit again but as fully payed all inclusive vacation, I'm sorry to say but as much as I enjoyed the offroad adventure I don't care for coming back there on my bike.
Panama - I didn't get to see much of it as my flight was set-up way faster than I though it would be, Damn it I didn't even see the canal :(
there is allot more about Central America than the few words I wrote so don't use me as guide lol, and if I had a chance to do it again I would.
Cheers
I've meet lots of great people along the way, both local as well as travelers like me so that was great.
Guatemala - awesome country with very friendly people and amazing views (crazy chicken buses) Antigua is on must do list, if you planning on doing your service at the BMW dealer call ahead first an ask to hook you up in the 20dol hotel otherwise you will pay 100 per night. I would love to see this country again.
Honduras - Copan Ruinas is a amazing place to see, The Atlantic coast is nice but the old Spanish forth is ok at best. Drivers are insane and dangerous and the roads in most places are pure crap. Don't really care is I see Honduras again (except for Copan)
Nicaragua - pure awesome!! without any doubt I will come back and spend more time in this country, I love how raw it is and the volcano's are just amazing, you can stay as cheap as 6 bucks per night and you will not get bored there, Thumbs up for that place
Costa Rica - I would love go back to visit again but as fully payed all inclusive vacation, I'm sorry to say but as much as I enjoyed the offroad adventure I don't care for coming back there on my bike.
Panama - I didn't get to see much of it as my flight was set-up way faster than I though it would be, Damn it I didn't even see the canal :(
there is allot more about Central America than the few words I wrote so don't use me as guide lol, and if I had a chance to do it again I would.
Cheers
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Panama City
this will be a 3 day in one update
Tuesday - Lots of cops in Panama (got lucky again)
I had some things to do in the morning so I left David at around 11am, I wasn't sure if I will make it to Panama City that day so at first I was staying at speed limits and just taking it easy. As the km's went by I noticed that I just might make it so I started to push a little harder, I made it to Panama Passage late in the afternoon and Shawn welcomed me with a cold beer in his had - YES!
Wednesday - Running around with my tongue out (its hot in here)
I called Graig air cargo and they told me that they might squeeze me in for Sunday morning, but few hours later I get phone call back from them to pack my bike and get there before 3pm so I might get the bike out on Friday. So after messing around in city traffic and usual Panamanian rain I got there in time, the problem was that I only had $600 on me as I didn't expect that it would happen so quick. No problem they got the paper work started, look over the bike and took some pictures off it, The deal was for me to show up today with the remained 300 bucks (total cost $902.50). So I got back to the hotel and booked a flight out for 400 bucks! for 1.5 hour flight? what the! the actual ticket was 290 and rest are just taxes. What stayed in my head all night and still is today that I left my bike in the by their building wall and I have no clue as what will happen to it from now on.
Two more guys Dave (f800gs) and Doug (r1200gs) got here today and they are planning on flying out of here as well
Thursday - the Colombia is still on the other side
Today is the Panama independence day and they have a parades everywhere all over the city and country I suppose, So Carlos our super friendly taxi driver was trying his best to get us into the cargo area so I can pay the dues and they can start the talks. Well after and hour of driving around the area and trying hard to find the way in and around another parade, we gave up and I asked Carlos to bring us back here (bought him a 6pack for being a good sport). After quick e-mail back to Graig the answer was that I can bring the money tomorrow before the flight. (11:05 am Friday)
E-mailed the dealer in Bogota for a quick service and I hope that they can take me in, My left fork seal is leaking and right cam chain is making lots of noise.
ok till than
Tuesday - Lots of cops in Panama (got lucky again)
I had some things to do in the morning so I left David at around 11am, I wasn't sure if I will make it to Panama City that day so at first I was staying at speed limits and just taking it easy. As the km's went by I noticed that I just might make it so I started to push a little harder, I made it to Panama Passage late in the afternoon and Shawn welcomed me with a cold beer in his had - YES!
Wednesday - Running around with my tongue out (its hot in here)
I called Graig air cargo and they told me that they might squeeze me in for Sunday morning, but few hours later I get phone call back from them to pack my bike and get there before 3pm so I might get the bike out on Friday. So after messing around in city traffic and usual Panamanian rain I got there in time, the problem was that I only had $600 on me as I didn't expect that it would happen so quick. No problem they got the paper work started, look over the bike and took some pictures off it, The deal was for me to show up today with the remained 300 bucks (total cost $902.50). So I got back to the hotel and booked a flight out for 400 bucks! for 1.5 hour flight? what the! the actual ticket was 290 and rest are just taxes. What stayed in my head all night and still is today that I left my bike in the by their building wall and I have no clue as what will happen to it from now on.
Two more guys Dave (f800gs) and Doug (r1200gs) got here today and they are planning on flying out of here as well
Thursday - the Colombia is still on the other side
Today is the Panama independence day and they have a parades everywhere all over the city and country I suppose, So Carlos our super friendly taxi driver was trying his best to get us into the cargo area so I can pay the dues and they can start the talks. Well after and hour of driving around the area and trying hard to find the way in and around another parade, we gave up and I asked Carlos to bring us back here (bought him a 6pack for being a good sport). After quick e-mail back to Graig the answer was that I can bring the money tomorrow before the flight. (11:05 am Friday)
E-mailed the dealer in Bogota for a quick service and I hope that they can take me in, My left fork seal is leaking and right cam chain is making lots of noise.
ok till than
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Yea wright, take that off road  |
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| Leaky times |
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Two zip ties and bandanna fix  |
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| Crossing the bridge to Panama City |
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| At the cargo area |
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| Leaving my Cow behind |
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| From today's drive |
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