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1 Mar 2013
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Join Date: Oct 2012
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Terry Two Wheel
Went by to see him and told him you were having a blast. Keep the photo's coming. I have my Nazi croch rocket in the warehouse doing winter maintances. Front/Rear brakes, new back tire, new grips and accellarator cables to name a few things. Take care.
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5 Mar 2013
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Join Date: May 2012
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The way of San Jose
Here for further serendipitous enlightenment. A selection of evil devices at the local hardware store.
Costa Rica is not cheap. 1000 equals $2us. The fast food places are busy
At the market where the locals eat..... this was about $4us Another place about $3us
Traffic is a Latin New York kinda thing. I could not (nor can anybody else) walk the streets without people constantly bumping into me. No offence was meant by this. No one stepped to the right but rather wandered, wavered and decided at the last moment. The system I developed was to walk as if I were in a real hurry and people did not mind such at all. A sunday stroll results in being pushed aside. Stop to be courteous and be pushed aside. Lots of buses on narrow streets and going quite quickly. Caution is necessary. Watching right hand turns near the farmers market where people stand in the street to sell their stuff is an entertaining contest of wills. Yes, that is a Harley.
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5 Mar 2013
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Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Mimbres, New Mexico, USA
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And they never hook up the freakin' ground wire. Every time I use one of these things I look at that green wire dangling. Only been shocked once, though.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ratbikemike
Tropical Latin plumbing does not include a separate pipe and such for hot water. Just one water. This thing it supposed to heat the water as it comes out the pipe. This devise is everywhere but the upscale hotels. It sporadically brings the water to lukewarm and goes to cold for no apparent reason. It is evil. Cannot be used without spontaneous bursts of profanity
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5 Mar 2013
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life in da big city
Surprising who you meet. This guys father,as an infant, was hidden in a shoe box so the Nazis could not find him. At that time, my father observed that he would likely die before getting home and resolved to see how many men he could kill first.
The Blind Pig Blues Band did such a good job on Hoochie Coochie Man that I almost got a tattoo on my left arm, so I could hang it out the window while driving, ....in a gaudy, bright multi colored longhand script.... HOOCHIE COOCHIE MAN. Not sure why I didn't.
Bill's girl friend was singing, so a bunch of us showed up to support her/him. Tongue in cheek humor is..... "she has such a nice smile". Bill payed for the dental work. Bill does not like 'face recognition technology' on the net.....
Sometimes it is big work for me to not complain long and bitter about struggles walking across town..... This guy had a better attitude.
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6 Mar 2013
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Last few days in San Jose CR
I spoke to Bill, who gives every impression that he would be comfortable negotiating with Mafia crime bosses, and it was decided that the World SuperBike race in Australia was not on tv in Costra Rica. They have every channel from every provider. I paid $4.20 for a small Red Bell and did not bat a eye.($2.20 almost every where else on earth) Hotel, restaurant, bar and bordello, they insist every costumer is is provided with all the warmth, charm and since of well being that money can buy.
I found myself it a ...... shoestring store.
I paid her about $1.50 to pose for this picture.
He was so dismayed that I would not see his homeland , Peru, that he presented me with a gift, a necklace...
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6 Mar 2013
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Any new pix on return trip?
Still trying to master navigation on this site. Thanks for reply yesterday. Bob
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6 Mar 2013
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That sun is sooo... good .....kinda bright tho.... The house cat at the Anchor Club
Walking by , I couldn't help but notice the sex toys marketed along with camping gear and guns....
I was to meet friends here at the "world famous Del Ray" and go elsewhere.(goggle it)
As I sat at the bar, a woman, bubbling over with out going charm, sat next to me and said in good english spiced with spanish, "Welcome to my country!!" and planted a big wet kiss on my cheek. I, embarrassed, said that I really am expected to meet friends any minute. Soooo, I really did go to a whore house and get a kiss!! Never mind that it was part of a hustle and she was expecting a $100 quick turn around. Never mind that part.
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6 Mar 2013
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Up and going north....
Good bye to the folks at the really cheap hotel. (Skid row /red light area) This, a few moments after trying to arrange for a little more cleavage....
This guy, a pushy helper, thought I would obey his bull horn. And he didn't have a gun!! Got into Nicaragua without incident.
The roads in this part of Nicaragua are great and I pressed on under that full moon low on the horizon. Photo by a 13 year old boy that was hanging out at a police check point. Really great ride....
Somehow found the Breaded Monkey Hostel in Granada. Was great.
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7 Mar 2013
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Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Kata, Phuket, Thailand
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ratbikemike
Good bye to the folks at the really cheap hotel. (Skid row /red light area) This, a few moments after trying to arrange for a little more cleavage....
This guy, a pushy helper, thought I would obey his bull horn. And he didn't have a gun!! Got into Nicaragua without incident.
The roads in this part of Nicaragua are great and I pressed on under that full moon low on the horizon. Photo by a 13 year old boy that was hanging out at a police check point. Really great ride....
Somehow found the Breaded Monkey Hostel in Granada. Was great.
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That's awesome, I've stayed at that same hostel! I'm not sure if you're planning on it but Isla de Ometepe is pretty sweet. Beware: when I was there they overloaded the ferry with bananas and sunk the ferry a few yards from the pier!
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7 Mar 2013
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Hi Mike.
I think we have a few of the same friends from your pictures of "The house cat at the Anchor Club" and Bill with his girlfriend in San Jose. I lived in Costa Rica for a few years and only visit now. I haven't seen them for a few months but they appear to be doing well.
As a new HUBB member I can't send a PM yet but I would like to talk to you about Bill and other CA countries. I've been one of his "friends" for 22 years.
Be safe.
Phil
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8 Mar 2013
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Leaving Granda and across Houndras
Jeremie,
Am I right that you are stuck in an office in Thailand? Must be tough!! That may well be my next effort at travel.
Cygan,
Had a great time at the boys club there. PM me anytime and I will see if I can sort out how to answer.
I had breakfast at this restaurant....
....with this woman and her daughter
The stool and floor are one piece heavy plastic and the rest looks like a kit from the local hardware store. A concrete base, wow. A modern methods out house....... and it is level!! Always ....always...... check for paper.
A confusion of humor to do with a little ass... talking to an ass etc etc
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8 Mar 2013
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Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Emerald Queensland Australia
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Mike always enjoy your posts!
I love the way your personality shines through in the way you present your posts.It's great the way you show the real sites/people .Noel
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8 Mar 2013
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Traveling into Hondruas.
Noel.
Thanks for following along.
This guy sits at the policia check point and benefits from the generosity of travelers, He took this picture.....
.....of the policia that arrested me (YES!!) for not having my papers in order. The bike papers were in a safe place, with the camera, not with the rest of paperwork. He is quite proud of being an honest cop. I have been in a busy, traveling mode and several things don't get the attention needed.
In Hounduras now. This woman with the very dark, bruised eyes and the machete said harsh things to me in spanish, so I moved and stood behind ......
.....these guys. Much to the amusement of all. After the atm business was done, the cop on the left gestured that he wanted those tires on the back of the bike. I said in a clear and direct voice, " You know enghish,.... BULLSHIT? It was a rare and precious moment for me.
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8 Mar 2013
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El Salvador and the '24hr visa'
At customs (aduana), this is the guy that told me where to sit. I told them that I was headed home and just passing through, so they gave me a 24 hr visa. Being late without a police report would subject me to a heavy fine. It is about 250 miles across the country.
The roads were good for travel and I found my way quite well, despite a very crude map and poor road markings. A startling sunset approaching San Salvador.
I stopped to check directions in the night and thanks these two profusely and kissed their hands. They became giggling, blushing girls.
I arrived after 5 1/2 hours, at 9:30pm and got all the paperwork done but for entry into Guatamala for the bike. The 'bank was closed so they could not accept any money. I was booked out of San Salvador and could not go to Guatemala with the bike. So, they let me camp here. The guards treated me well.
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8 Mar 2013
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A light crash....
At the El Salvador/Guatemala border campsite. That is a regular 8 oz. cup. It can jump.
FINE!!.... I camped in the Immigration building....... By 8am they figured out that I had been out of Guatemala for only 9 weeks and sooooo.... no entry for the bike!! Not until 3-24-13!! ( must be out 3 months! ) The clerk said to me (a bleeding heart liberal), " It's not my problem!" The El Salvador guys offered me a 60 day visa, but if I went to Nicaragua I could not return for ANOTHER 2 months!! I was dealing with the supervisor thru an interrupter that was in NY recently, certainly not legally. I got another 24 hour visa with a fine of $1,300 (yes!) if I were late without a police report. But I could exit the country and return at will. I took off south, still in full cannonball mode plus some 'tude. Did it once 5 1/2 , so 24 can be done again. I was doing fine until I got San Salvador and saw a couple on a BMW that had a Costa Rica plate. I caught them in traffic and was going to use him as a guide through the city. After that it would be simple. Passing while meeting on coming traffic and passing on the right with a concrete ditch about a foot deep on the right etc etc. I tried the right and then the left and while on the right side the pavement dropped 2 or 3 inches with a square lip to return to the higher section. I should have made my move direct and with force,(lota traffic) but I tried to ease up the step. Not the right way to do that. I crashed at 20 to 30 mph. Not much damage, a puled muscle in my left leg, a bruised left tricep and a bent turn signal. AND the Costa Rica guy was gone. Everybody was nice at the crash site, somebody picked up the bike, a cop helped me to my feet a little before I was ready. It was only at certain angles that my pulled muscle hurt. so I was uncertain as to what my condition really was for several minutes. Pretty soon I was rolling bruised up and with a different 'tude. And quickly lost in a large city. Several wrong turns and I stopped to ask directions in spanglish. At the gas station, an english speaking beauty was found and after several minutes of confusion and after she read my paperwork to do with the fine, it was decided that her husband would get in his car and lead me to CA1 which was marked with a sign that read 'Poppas' which is the next city on that route. I made good progress until a got within about 25 ? miles of Honduras. I stopped at a house with several guys standing around in the yard. One spoke English and I learned that I was in fact on the right road. They were pleased to have me stop and all was in good jocular humor. A plastic cup of water was provided. A couple of minutes later a romantically inclined ' somewhat' crazy woman appeared. And then her friend arrived. There was quick talk of marriage. I made it to the border on time. It was just about 26 hours round trip on a 48 hour deadline. All the papers are in order ...
This is inside Honduras looking back....Whew!! Full riding mode , too busy for many fotos
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