Heya Rob, yeah I had a boxer for 13 years named Tara, she was my shadow and never had a bad hair day.

The central american dogs seem a bit different and intent on chasing motos and us on foot.

Luckily I stood the ground and didn't show (too much) fear or I think we would have been had for lunch

One thing I miss being on the road in the pets and having a loyal dog to play with.

__________________
Cheers Andi & Ellen .... https://twomotokiwis.blogspot.com/ Two Moto Kiwis Alaska - Argentina - April 2012 -> Somewhere

After the buzz of the canal the next morning was off to the Stahlratte at Carti, San Blass so in reality it was only getting better.

Start with a quick dunny stop ... and some wall glory



The ride out of Panama was easy enough going around lots of roadworks and a small shower.

We turned of the main drag heading toward Carti when Oliver and Heather disappeared from our mirrors, I turned around and went back and only a minute down the road Oliver was pushing their bike with a blowout on the rear.



Also Olivers front guard has come off its mount and was merrily trying to burn its way to nothing ... it wasn't his day.



We set to and removed the dead tube which was totally stuffed, we had a spare 21 inch tube so we tucked that back in only to have that blow another 5 km up the road so at that point we left them there to alert Ludwig to the issue and organise a ute to pick them up.

Although I am not doing much here I did muck and help spoon it on.



The road out to San Blass was interesting and steepish in some places and beautiful rain forest



Arriving at Carti we were greeted by the other riders.



Out of riding gear and time to strip Maya of house and contents to load her onto the Stahlratte.



The dreaded moment arrives when Maya is suspended by string :eek1



Away she goes









Into her bunkroom where she lives for the next 5 days, I will add at this point she was double wrapped by the crew and extremely well covered .... you guys rock!! :clap



Next installment day one .......

__________________
Cheers Andi & Ellen .... https://twomotokiwis.blogspot.com/ Two Moto Kiwis Alaska - Argentina - April 2012 -> Somewhere

We were all loaded safe and onboard, it was some time later when Oilver and Heather arrived after the hard day.

Maya was in her bunkroom with her roommates



A pic left out from before, all the girls lined up ready to be lifted into their bunkroom



That night we were staying on an island where the local Kuna people live, it was an interesting experience, for some reason our host family decided to talk to 3.40 am and pretty much there are no walls, several attempts to be pleasant to ask for quite failed then I got loud with a bang on the door.... I got 2 hours sleep

Our chatty host



Rain brewing behind the boat



Finally Heather and Oliver made it :clap



The local people milling around



The storm didn't quite make it to us, we only got a few drops



Our room with a sand floor and a local cat



Yes those are outhouses so your #2s drop straight into the oceon, the fish eat it all up



Our accommodation ... cool places :clap



Some local Kuna out on their boat



Lunch on the Stahratte, fud was second to none!!!



The window of fame aboard the Stahlratte, stuck with the famous people now :rofl



The Stahlratte started off great and only got better, these guys know how to make a great trip of it :clap

__________________
Cheers Andi & Ellen .... https://twomotokiwis.blogspot.com/ Two Moto Kiwis Alaska - Argentina - April 2012 -> Somewhere

Well what can a man say, on a boat, stinkin hot, sunny, with moto, with wife, with new amigos.

Not a lot to be honest, will let the pics speak for us.

Bit of snorkeling



Two tree island



SOS

Scoota On Stahlratte :eek1 :clap



Lost



Rope swing



Me on the rope swing ....seriously cool fun



Awful ... just awful :rofl



No enjoyment being had ... just trying to keep our heads above water....trying times :huh



The camera started playing up again, I was focusing on the wood steps ....



Our boss Ludwig ... not sure what else to say



Looking up the main mast, Oliver is in the crows nest



Stowaway up front in the ropes

__________________
Cheers Andi & Ellen .... https://twomotokiwis.blogspot.com/ Two Moto Kiwis Alaska - Argentina - April 2012 -> Somewhere

Very beautiful area ,nice photo's the ship must have a bit of age as i can see rivets in the hull .

Heya Noel, the ship is 110 years old and in great shape, she is engineered and hand crafted very well, she has had restoration done and has been done well, they can have up to 16 motos on the deck!!!

__________________
Cheers Andi & Ellen .... https://twomotokiwis.blogspot.com/ Two Moto Kiwis Alaska - Argentina - April 2012 -> Somewhere

Yet again my typing will get lost so only a brief description of what was happening

Rain on the horizon with a local Kuna boat



An island under a spotlight of sun amidst a cover of rain clouds



People up the crows nest



A cool firey sunset



Last of the sun going down

__________________
Cheers Andi & Ellen .... https://twomotokiwis.blogspot.com/ Two Moto Kiwis Alaska - Argentina - April 2012 -> Somewhere

Ok. last day on the Stahlratte, a selection of photos from early morning to night, today was a sailing day only.

This is my stunned mullet 5.30 am I need my coffee look :rofl



Sails up we are off!!!



Would you trust this man knowing he has only had one coffee :huh :eek1
:eek1



The Stahlratte heart beating away .... she runs sweet



Camera starting playing up again



Twice ... must get that fixed :eek1



Things are looking up



Our final sunset on the Stahlratte, no disappointment either



Cartagena here we come, f i n a l l y we make it to South America, long time coming after bike trouble, Ellens accident, then my accident, thank you to the gods of motorcycling and travel to get us too here plus or minus in one piece.clapclap:clap

__________________
Cheers Andi & Ellen .... https://twomotokiwis.blogspot.com/ Two Moto Kiwis Alaska - Argentina - April 2012 -> Somewhere

(in third person stalker voice) Welcome to America Sur Mr & Mrs Delis, we have waiting for you .... a long time

Finishing with the Stahlratte we set to getting our immigration and customs sorted out and help Oliver with a new tube etc.

After Olivers blowout x 2 we needed a new front tube and he wanted a front and rear so off to the local we go, it was hot and carrying a rear transalp wheel in the heat was an effort.

Here is a picture of dedication



.... or maybe despair



Wheel was fitted back on on the Stahlratte ready for unloading the next day.

Anxious moments for the owner ....:eek1



No worries, the boys have never lost a bike yet ... or so they told us :rofl :eek1



Maya almost onto terra firma



Bikes on land and owners relieved, thanks to Ludwig and crew, no stuffing about and very well done indeed.



Ludwig uses a helper, to be fair he was not very helpful and stuffed everything up, everyones bike were yellow and black, passport numbers were wrong, VIN numbers were wrong.

On top of that a sloth would win a running race against him, we did get finished and sorted but after some WTF moments and all leaving with ill feelings so not good, I will add that he is very separate from Ludwigs operation.

Next was our insurance, because the helper stuffed us up and made us late we arrived late at the insurance office and Friday afternoon, beginning of a long weekend they were not enthused but we managed to get everything sorted about 5 minutes after closing time.

Bikes and us all legal we went to the Hostel, we had booked in at Marmallena and being straight the owner is not a nice guy, the price for the room was advertised at one price then they tried to charge us another, that got sorted, I would NOT recommend Marmallena Cartegena to anyone, the one in Panama however was great .

This was the only cool thing about the hostel, this fella, he could talk more Spanish than us


Next day we clocked out and went around the corner, cheaper, air cond, wifi etc and friendly owners.

While in Cartagena we washed the motos thoroughly, Ludwigs crew did a great job covering them then when we rode into town from the boat to find 100 mm deep seawater on the streets for upward of 600 meters at a time.

Taking in the sights over the weekend, the was one of the main attractions in Cartagena



Yes that is a horse in the park having a munch, there were three of them





Some brightly coloured buildings



Monday was D day to leave and head north with Oliver and Heather .... more then

__________________
Cheers Andi & Ellen .... https://twomotokiwis.blogspot.com/ Two Moto Kiwis Alaska - Argentina - April 2012 -> Somewhere

Andi mate when a camera malfunctions at sea there's little you can do but go with it.some of your best photo's yet ,love the one of the parrot. Going to my first HU meeting next month can not wait.

Heya Noel ... yeap nothing you can do and nowhere to fix it ... funny thing is it is playing really bad in Colombia ... must be atmospheric conditions

__________________
Cheers Andi & Ellen .... https://twomotokiwis.blogspot.com/ Two Moto Kiwis Alaska - Argentina - April 2012 -> Somewhere

Monday morning, day of riots, unrest and protests about the southern mines, we were advised against leaving because of roadblocks etc, we left anyway and had no issues whatsoever, the hotsposts were a long way from us and semed to be southern Colombian based.

First stop was the mud volcano, really cool and seriously buoyant ..... no way you could drown in it cos you can't sink, Oliver and Heather were first in.



Then we piled in beside them



The traffic was getting heavier so time to hop out .... 20 years younger as well :rofl .... and yes that lady in the left hand corner does have big boobs :evil



Oliver ... .scruffy bastid



Heather ... nice tan



Me...scruffier bastid



Ellen .. from yello to brown



After bathing in mud and having a spot of lunch we headed to destination, Taganga a small diving based town, neat place, gravel streets, swimming and walking with a bit of rum drinking thrown in.

Oliver and Heather on their Transalp



And yes it was hot

Oliver scuffing the fan



We spent two night here with Oliver and Heather before leaving them as they were sticking around to do some scuba diving.

__________________
Cheers Andi & Ellen .... https://twomotokiwis.blogspot.com/ Two Moto Kiwis Alaska - Argentina - April 2012 -> Somewhere

So, nice place, great weather, togs, shoes, hat.

We walked around from the main bay round to the neighbouring bays, found ourselves a nice small beach free of humans.

Such a nice day but the water must be corrosive and our togs fell off .... :evil ... didn't know her bum was so white :eek1



Taganga from the track



The intrepid asian explorer going where no man has even been before



One of the spendie resorts



Flash resorts tucked in here



Some very nice spots



Small islands dot the coast

__________________
Cheers Andi & Ellen .... https://twomotokiwis.blogspot.com/ Two Moto Kiwis Alaska - Argentina - April 2012 -> Somewhere

Too lo n g

__________________
Cheers Andi & Ellen .... https://twomotokiwis.blogspot.com/ Two Moto Kiwis Alaska - Argentina - April 2012 -> Somewhere

Last one

__________________
Cheers Andi & Ellen .... https://twomotokiwis.blogspot.com/ Two Moto Kiwis Alaska - Argentina - April 2012 -> Somewhere