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Sarallou,
I am sorry. I had planed a visit, and fotos of the lake etc, etc, but the holiday jitters got me and I packed up after a month of being in Antigua and now am through Honduras and into Nicaragua. Got my sights set on Costa Rica. I will be there, as best I can tell, for a while. ratbikemike |
Costa Rica
Hey thats too bad. Our Casita here has a spare room. We leave Guatemala about Jan 20 to El Salvador. I hope we can meet in CR? Keep us posted. Sara
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Run for the Frontera Guatemala
From Mexico City to the border town of Tapachula it is 1500 km.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8211/8...fbf67778_z.jpg Screen%20Shot%202012-12-16%20at%2010.55.00%20PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The first day was an epic ride through the mountains to Taxco via tres Marias and Cuenavaca. When we thought it could not get better the next days ride to Marquelia was amazing curves all day. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8081/8...f63213fa_c.jpg morelos2008-10 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8359/8...7130efdc_c.jpg DSC03847 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We stopped at Suzuki to buy chain lube, but they don't sell it. They had some for shop use and did our chains for free. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8494/8...13341c0a_c.jpg DSC03844 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Marquelia is a bit of a grungy town, but we got a nice little hotel with air con for 250 pesos. We sure needed it since it was 34 degrees and very humid. I never thought we would be served our dinner by a transvestite chicken diva in a town like this. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8362/8...b085f04a_c.jpg DSC03853 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8353/8...25d085e2_c.jpg DSC03852 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8364/8...684db917_c.jpg DSC03849 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8499/8...e70b4f37_c.jpg DSC03851 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We has another hellish hot 8 hour ride to Tehuantepec via Salina Cruz. We did stop once for 30 min for lunch in Puerto Escondido. Our final day towards the border was a 6 hour ride in the 34 degree heat to Tapachula. We arrived at Migration and easily had our Mexican import permits cancelled. The next step was one last night in Mexico and to exchange our Peso for Quetzal. This is quite a happening town with a lot of action in the main square. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8223/8...16ac5ca0_c.jpg IMG_1403 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8361/8...5507e2d4_c.jpg IMG_1411 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8491/8...7f562cb5_c.jpg IMG_1412 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8502/8...4745f41b_c.jpg IMG_1414 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8352/8...79cef66f_c.jpg IMG_1415 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We had prepared everything we needed for the border and researched all the procedures. Despite this we were 2 hours at the Mexican side and 2 1/2 on the Guatemalan side. There were tons of people crossing the border with huge amounts of stuff they had bought at the Tapachula Sam's club. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8501/8...1bdec4f8_c.jpg Crossing into Guat, Finally by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr FYI procedure for us at Hidalgo. We asked others and got a different experience from everyone. 295 Peso each to exit and receive Mexican exit passport stamp (we did not know about this as it started Dec 1 and the bank machines were all down so we could not get it in Pesos. The border official said to go across and see if can get into Guatemala without the Mexican stamp. We did) 6 Peso each to cross the river on the bridge. 18 Quetzal each for bike fumigation. 10 Quetzal each for tourist entry and passport stamp. 160 Quetzal each for the bike importation. 6 Quetzal for copies even though the sign clearly says you do not need copies. After all this we finally left the border at 115. We had only a 177 km drive that because of traffic, construction, and road conditions took us 5 hours driving as fast as possible to arrive at Panajachel. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8492/8...8e374962_c.jpg Making it to Pana by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Ten weeks in Mexico
Here is a Google map to review our 10 weeks in Mexico.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8501/8...6c406e20_z.jpg Screen Shot 2012-12-22 at 11.37.20 AM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Panajachel Guatemala
After 6 months on the road we needed a little down time and we decided upon Panajachel on Lake Atitlan. It's only 180 km from the border, but the drive took us about 5 hours. The first section of the "highway" near the border is very rough and full of big trucks going 20 km per hour. The next part is a windy mountain road. Again with trucks going very slowly. The middle part is a smooth 4 lane amazing road until the turn off to Solala. The road down to the lake is 17 km , but it is 85% down hill and was under construction with 50% grated pavement.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8084/8...bf1c96eb26.jpg Screen Shot 2012-12-30 at 6.25.46 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8362/8...65cb4053b9.jpg Screen Shot 2012-12-30 at 6.26.09 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8224/8...2589accb85.jpg Screen Shot 2012-12-27 at 3.09.21 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8363/8...1a742c3ca9.jpg Panajachel Guatemala 121 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The town is very walkable, but there also many tuk tuks everywhere. It sits on the lake with the view of several volcanoes. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8496/8...ec60fea3_c.jpg Panajachel Guatemala 5 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8352/8...250c2799_c.jpg Panajachel Guatemala 97 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8351/8...af606841_c.jpg Panajachel Guatemala 13 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8501/8...f50463e3_c.jpg Panajachel Guatemala 32 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8214/8...be4c14c2_c.jpg Panajachel Guatemala 109 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8218/8...12de7f5e_c.jpg Panajachel Guatemala 140 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8075/8...5bfcc2cc_c.jpg Panajachel Guatemala 142 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8496/8...87f7cbdd_c.jpg DSC04050 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr This is a lovely lakeside town where 85% of the population are Mayan. The women and a few of the men dress in traditional clothes that are very bright and the color varies from village to village around the lake. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8503/8...ac436043_c.jpg DSC04073 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8355/8...d172a15b_c.jpg DSC04076 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickrhttp://farm9.staticflickr.com/8362/8...12ee1dc4_c.jpg DSC04078 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8357/8...95da6fbc_c.jpg DSC04081 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8498/8...f29ec9b6_c.jpg Panajachel Guatemala 37 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8214/8...e2d38b2c_c.jpg Panajachel Guatemala 103 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8079/8...df5b18ba_c.jpg Panajachel Guatemala 39 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8364/8...160c684e_c.jpg Panajachel Guatemala 40 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8497/8...0d4d176d_c.jpg Panajachel Guatemala 43 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8503/8...6d61a613_c.jpg Panajachel Guatemala 51 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8362/8...30ffe225_c.jpg Panajachel Guatemala 54 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The market here is daily, but is the largest on Sundays. The produce is amazing. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8075/8...dbd67b52_c.jpg Panajachel Guatemala 143 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8352/8...7ee3bc78_c.jpg Panajachel Guatemala 148 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8083/8...115391ac_c.jpg Panajachel Guatemala 144 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8360/8...a9342a11_c.jpg Panajachel Guatemala 149 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Almost every time I passed Maria i enden up buying some strange fruit she had for sale. These are Sapote and they have the flavour and texture of pumpkin pie. My other favorite haunt was to see Mirna at Super Pan for fresh hot banana muffins for 1Q each. On my way out of the bakery one night I saw Norbert on his V strom and also from Vancouver! http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8354/8...bfcd0883_c.jpg Panajachel Guatemala 122 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8080/8...660105c5_c.jpg Panajachel Guatemala 135 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8359/8...90d253ae_c.jpg Panajachel Guatemala 1 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We ventured across the lake by water taxi to the village of San Juan and then walked to the next village of San Pedro. Each of the villages around the lake has different local arts and crafts for sale. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8079/8...9c1e94f4_c.jpg Panajachel Guatemala 21 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8220/8...eedd0490_c.jpg Panajachel Guatemala 117 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8492/8...e29a502e_c.jpg Panajachel Guatemala 119 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8078/8...0af02b55_c.jpg Panajachel Guatemala 73 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8493/8...be959298_c.jpg Panajachel Guatemala 82 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8504/8...bf9390cc_c.jpg Panajachel Guatemala 96 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Daniel made friends with this 91 year old gentleman in the park in San Pedro. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8223/8...f6dddd31_c.jpg Panajachel Guatemala 93 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We were here over the holidays so there was all kinds of activities, street dances, and of course hundreds of fireworks. At midnight on Dec 25 and 31 it sounded like a Chinese fireworks factory was on fire. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8073/8...caf4ba4a_c.jpg Panajachel Guatemala 80 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8074/8...5f242e71_c.jpg Panajachel Guatemala 7 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8222/8...9baeeefc_c.jpg Panajachel Guatemala 28 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8077/8...543c571a_c.jpg Panajachel Guatemala 17 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8358/8...6d6b1238_c.jpg Panajachel Guatemala 151 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8081/8...dd1d383f_c.jpg Panajachel Guatemala 155 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8500/8...55080b93_c.jpg Panajachel Guatemala 156 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr This brings new meaning to riding two up. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8223/8...3d766007_c.jpg DSC04048 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Sarah.....enjoying following your journey......disappointed we had to turn back in Oct at Belize.....met Ratbike Mike......he is a character....stay safe
hickeryonthemove Happy New Year Bob |
Thanks Bob
That's too bad!! I hope you are OK?? Best of 2013 to you also. I would like to meet Mike. He sound like fun from his posts.
We met some other HU PEEPS in Antigua this weekend from Canada, Sweden, and the USA. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8045/8...9d85deba_c.jpg DSC06315 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Sara |
Hi Sara & Daniel,
Yes...we are ok...my riding buddy is Diabetic and we hoped to prove that you could make a trip like this with the proper prep....but we had problems with the insulin cooler and made a decision to turn around.......our trip covered the area on your overall Mex map from A to H......if you are crossing to Columbia.....google the Stalhratte.....the Captain is Ludwig and sails a 100 foot sailboat ferrying passengers back and forth from Panama.....4day trip stopping at the San Blas Isl.....cost with bike and paper work to enter Columbia including meals was 900.00 us. All the Best Bob |
Sara & Daniel,
You may already be following this couple....if not....on the Hubb Ride Tales....Neda & her husband Kim are currently in Durango....riding BMW GS's.......might be a good couple to stay in touch with in case of any problems....site....Finally did it; Jobs Quitted, Home Sold, Gone Riding....or...RideDOT.com This couple is from Toronto. Bob |
Thanks
Im glad you guys are ok! Yes we follow them. They have amazing photos on there blog and ride report. Thanks for the advice too.
Sara |
Antigua Guatemala
Dan was so happy to buy our first Guatemalan gas for our weekend trip up to Antigua at Texaco.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8377/8...ae40f88e_z.jpg Antigua 2 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8233/8...b138d6b6_c.jpg Antigua 4 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The views as we drove along the old highway of the lake and the volcanoes was amazing. The route was very twisty and mountainous and involved several river crossings where the road was washed away. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8097/8...e3b346db_c.jpg Antigua 5 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8191/8...94c09d5f_c.jpg Antigua 9 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Antigua is very picturesque, but a lot busier than when we was last here several years ago. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8497/8...cdfd339f_c.jpg Antigua 161 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8365/8...d535e539_c.jpg Antigua 20 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8225/8...5be765f1_c.jpg Antigua 92 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8471/8...91a8814f_c.jpg Antigua 21 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8223/8...d7dcdec0_c.jpg Antigua 26 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8498/8...92dbc8b9_c.jpg Antigua 23 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8326/8...97bf7478_c.jpg Antigua 39 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr There are two volcanoes here which loom over the city. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8212/8...e90cf762_c.jpg Antigua 101 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8497/8...3df5be5f_c.jpg Antigua 107 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8472/8...2f83f419_c.jpg Antigua 105 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8473/8...a26bf50d_c.jpg Antigua 112 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Like everywhere in Guatemala there are markets with tipico set up all over. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8238/8...e4227bee_c.jpg Antigua 117 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8224/8...04016cf0_c.jpg Antigua 118 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The windows here are attractive even with bars on them. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8071/8...86cd63c6_c.jpg Antigua 80 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8094/8...1f4c025b_c.jpg Antigua 75 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8501/8...a1f4bc05_c.jpg Antigua 77 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We stopped to ask this traffic officer where a thai restaurant was. She called on her radio to ask, but then her colleagues drove up next to her and started laughing because it was in the building right behind us. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8077/8...1fd0bed4_c.jpg Antigua 13 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8370/8...28c5f457_c.jpg Antigua 14 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr This is a colonial city where they are not allowed to put up signage, so part of the fun of walking around the city is that you have to poke your head in all the doorways to see what is inside. This is also a city of secret courtyards. The beautiful doors we love to take photos of often have amazing garden oasis behind them. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8090/8...0d866cca_c.jpg Antigua 59 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8505/8...a8649eba_c.jpg Antigua 54 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8092/8...9fba417f_c.jpg Antigua 51 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8050/8...986fb3a6_c.jpg Antigua 68 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8517/8...85086c61_c.jpg Antigua 64 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8051/8...8d469633_c.jpg Antigua 56 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8091/8...8f71edb6_c.jpg Antigua 67 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr For my birthday we skipped lunch and had pie instead! http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8098/8...4d90a0e5_c.jpg Antigua 98 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr You have to love a place where wine gets cheaper the more you buy. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8049/8...95b78b28_c.jpg Antigua 27 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Because of the numerous earthquakes in the region there are a number of runs of great churches including the Cathedral. One Santa Domingo has been incorporated into a 5 star hotel. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8493/8...41c79da3_c.jpg Antigua 87 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8326/8...4e96d20b_c.jpg Antigua 122 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8365/8...1d86c8bd_c.jpg Antigua 125 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8230/8...cd7fe620_c.jpg Antigua 139 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8325/8...e9972cd4_c.jpg Antigua 140 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8043/8...41ec509b_c.jpg Antigua 148 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8512/8...20026198_c.jpg Antigua 132 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8514/8...803fcb61_c.jpg Antigua 142 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr After 2 months of looking we finally found chain lube for "O" rings. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8077/8...3410bac5_c.jpg Antigua 49 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We met up with some other bikes at the motocafe for a few beers. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8358/8...83542b61_c.jpg Antigua 162 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8188/8...c260b85d_c.jpg Antigua 164 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Both Ollie and I were celebrating our birthdays this weekend with an amazing dinner at Hectors. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8226/8...31d8b893_c.jpg Antigua 167 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Great Pics.......enjoying your report
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Sumec Champey
On the advice of our friend Julio in Antigua we set off from the lake into the mountains northward. We road from Panajachel up into the Quiche (kee-chay). The road from Sacapulas to San Cristobal Verapaz is unpaved and sort of like driving up a river bed at times. We were luck with good weather or it could have been a bit of a nightmare.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8373/8...511d3eef_z.jpg Screen Shot 2013-01-18 at 6.14.34 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8375/8...8da914c5_c.jpg Sumac Champey 1 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8509/8...8d4c5e0d_c.jpg Sumac Champey 3 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8056/8...43acdbae_c.jpg Sumac Champey 4 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8232/8...f9b8a9ea_c.jpg Sumac Champey 5 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Sumec Champey
After a long day we arrived in Coban and realized we knew the cross street of our hotel, but not the zone. The same cross streets are in ALL the zones. After a bit of effort we did manage to locate it. The town has little in the way of sights as it is really just a cross road to the north of the country. We did visit the small cathedral and the famous Pollo Compero.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8214/8...142f518f_c.jpg Sumac Champey 10 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8075/8...0f521217_c.jpg Sumac Champey 9 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The next morning we were up and on the road at 6 am to drive the 67 km to Lanquin town. We left in the dawn light and drove up into the mountains draped in mist. The road is paved and curvy except the last 11 km which is unpaved steep and curvy. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8047/8...35e4731d_c.jpg Sumac Champey 12 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
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