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  #1  
Old 25 Oct 2008
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Is Central America passable at this time
At the texas border with my bike, trying to get to costa rica by november 3rd, wondering with all the rain and news reports if I should even try.60% of the roads are out, all infectious diseases are up, don't dare come without malaria, typhoid and Hep a and b vaccines (which i do have), Big storms still brewing, more rain apparently expected. 250,000 homeless, and on and on. Not exactly a inviting scenario for travel. I have a 750 vulcan kawasaki, not a Humvee with food and supplies for two months, not to mention I'm suppose to be there by nov. 3rd for dental work and spanish lessons and a homestay.
If anyone has travelled thru these areas in the last week or two and can give an objective report it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks Nanagosa 4
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Old 25 Oct 2008
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We are in Palenque, Mexico (again) after turning around in Belize City. The road from Belize City to Guatemala was flooded so we went back into Mexico and will try to loop around.

Tomorrow we head south to San Cristobal de las Casas and after a short visit there will head further south towards Guatemala.

From the weather forecasts and National Hurrican Center National Hurricane Center I'm thinking the worst of the rain is over, at least for now. However there is a lot of flooding and it will take some time for the rivers to settle back down to normal levels. And we are in hurrican season until the end of November. So the situation could change quickly.

We are keeping a bolg at Your Mileage May Vary . We are more likely to post there... when we can find a connection. I just happened to run across your question here. We also have a SPOT that is useful even when we don't have Internet access.
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  #3  
Old 25 Oct 2008
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Spot
Robert
This may be but you mentioned having a Spot, had never heard of them till two days ago when my brother had a forced landing in his ultralight and broke his leg. He might still be out in the desert if he had not had a Spot with him. Sounds like a neet little gadgit. Any comments on how well the will work around the world.
Just a little on topic: (sort of) I will be headed to Guatemala in one week to study Spanish before shipping moto to Chile and escaping for awhile. Sounds like I should be prepared for a little rain.

Bob
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  #4  
Old 25 Oct 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BMWRC View Post
We are in Palenque, Mexico (again) after turning around in Belize City. The road from Belize City to Guatemala was flooded so we went back into Mexico and will try to loop around.

Tomorrow we head south to San Cristobal de las Casas and after a short visit there will head further south towards Guatemala.

From the weather forecasts and National Hurrican Center National Hurricane Center I'm thinking the worst of the rain is over, at least for now. However there is a lot of flooding and it will take some time for the rivers to settle back down to normal levels. And we are in hurrican season until the end of November. So the situation could change quickly.

We are keeping a bolg at Your Mileage May Vary . We are more likely to post there... when we can find a connection. I just happened to run across your question here. We also have a SPOT that is useful even when we don't have Internet access.
Thank You Robert! I appreciate the info. Unfortunatley I was a little rude to the founder, Mr. Johnson. I have heard so many different reports, one community fellow in Costa Rica says nothing has happened, no problems there. Yet then you hear the country is in a state of emergency. No new reports up here in the u.s., very hard to know what is going on. Whether to fly or drive.....
Thanks again, I'm working on a blogging site myself, freedomthrumovement.blogspot.com and hope it looks like yours someday, that really looks nice and user friendly, I just havn't had much time to set it up yet.......... but soon perhaps.. I look forward to more info from you on your site...as you go..
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  #5  
Old 25 Oct 2008
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Originally Posted by Road Hog View Post
Robert
This may be but you mentioned having a Spot, had never heard of them till two days ago when my brother had a forced landing in his ultralight and broke his leg. He might still be out in the desert if he had not had a Spot with him. Sounds like a neet little gadgit. Any comments on how well the will work around the world.
Just a little on topic: (sort of) I will be headed to Guatemala in one week to study Spanish before shipping moto to Chile and escaping for awhile. Sounds like I should be prepared for a little rain.

Bob
(can you tell I like these little icon critters)
Hi Bob

The SPOT is very useful for letting friends and family back home know where we are and that everything is ok.

So far it's worked about 95% of the time. It failed a time or two in dense forest (Tulum) and an urban area (Chetumal). Both of these would indicate it couldn't 'see' the satellites or perhaps the batteries are starting to fail.

If you look at the coverage map on FindMeSpot.com (I think it is) you'll see the coverage area. For this trip, we will not have any coverage in the ver southern tip of South America.
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Old 25 Oct 2008
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Originally Posted by nanagosa4 View Post
Thank You Robert! I appreciate the info. Unfortunatley I was a little rude to the founder, Mr. Johnson. I have heard so many different reports, one community fellow in Costa Rica says nothing has happened, no problems there. Yet then you hear the country is in a state of emergency. No new reports up here in the u.s., very hard to know what is going on. Whether to fly or drive.....
Thanks again, I'm working on a blogging site myself, freedomthrumovement.blogspot.com and hope it looks like yours someday, that really looks nice and user friendly, I just havn't had much time to set it up yet.......... but soon perhaps.. I look forward to more info from you on your site...as you go..
There is most definately a state of emergency in at least part of Central America.

We watch CNN most nights and do see there is very little coverage on the western media, but it is most definately a problem here. The following is one reliable resouce you can use to keep up to date with what is happening with this emergency: ReliefWeb » Central America: Floods - Oct 2008

This emergency may or may not be a reason for you to travel to the region or to postpone it for a bit, but it's good to be informed. We are continuing on with adventure.

You must remember this is hurrican season for Central America and heavy rains should be anticipated for in your preparations until the end of November.

Cheers
Robert
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Old 26 Oct 2008
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Good information here. I am headed out November 1st to TDF. I am looking forward to the adventure the rain will bring. It is an element that I am going to see a lot I imagine along the way.
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Old 26 Oct 2008
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Tico Times
You may want to google Tico Times, local English newspaper, t follow the weather and local news. They have both a Costa Rican and Nicaraguan edition.

Tom
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Old 26 Oct 2008
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After a record rainy season, it looks like the dry season is around the corner(It's sunny here today).
There have been some mudslides, bridge closings and flooding, but nothing that has effected the Pan Ameerican for more than a day or so.
In general, the roads here are better than I have ever seen them(in 8 years).
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