Colombia to Thailand - Need Help
 

Colombia to Thailand:

I find that I need to move one of my motorcycles out of Colombia as the time limit is up. I do not qualify for any more extensions. I started out in the USA and rode to South America. I am now in Colombia. I found a broker that can ship my bike to Thailand from here for around $1, 500.00 I am assuming that there will be around $300 more on the other end, for a total of $1, 800.00


I was thinking of scooting around Thailand, Laos and Cambodia for 3 to 6 weeks and then bring it over to the Philippines for a while longer. After that, I do not really know. It just depends on how I feel. I have friends in Pampanga that could store my bike for a while. I was thinking that I could make a second trip back in several months and move on to other parts of SE Asia or perhaps Australia. The world is my oyster.

I read today From Richards posting about the Philippines in 2005:

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/stewart/2005_03.php

“A "refundable" bond of 150% - 200% of Customs' estimated value of your bike must normally be paid. Once your bike arrives, you may need to remain at the port for 1 - 2 weeks to process the paperwork. You can only export your bike through the same port that you entered the country. When exporting your bike, it may take you 2 - 3 weeks to have the paperwork processed and, if you’re lucky, get your bond back.”

None of this looks very appealing. Not worth the cost and trouble. Does any one have any fresh experience in the Philippines to add.

After adding up all the cost and hassle, I think it would be better to send my bike back to the States. Any help would be appreciated.

I have to make a decision in the next several days as my time is running out.

Thanks,
Martin

amigo
 

Hey Martin sad to see that your leaving. Sorry I f uped and never got to hook with you. Looking forward to seeing about your new chapter in life in Asia. As for running out of time on your decision Im in the same boat. I got to decide whether to bail and go for money or like the life in Colombia. I got a second apartment in Valledupar, my favorite Latin American city ever. Have supermodel prospects, this place is a gold mine for many reasons. I dont think I can leave Colombia. But I hate working in Guajira and for the man. I have a business opportunity which should have a good profit when I open the door. Looks like doing this would be a bitch but I could maybe form a corporation. You know any good lawyers or anyone to help with the process?Seems you have experience in this in Colombia. Ive talked to a few people but I would love to talk with you as I know your straighforward. Sorry to jack your thread I guess I could email u. Good luck with your move and I think your a great role model on how to live...love your qoutes too! hasta

I am not leaving Colombia
 

Justin, I am not leaving Colombia, just going on vacation. 6 weeks to Asia. I try to get some vacation time each year. I thought it would be nice to bring along my bike. I sent you an email.
I am in Riohacha this afternoon. I am making a border run tomorrow. I ran into a father of one of your students today. Eddy, the lawyer with a 650Vstrom. I was going to overnight in Maicou and he said that was a bad idea. He said Maicou is full of Arabs and on Sundays, they close everything early and go to the mosque. I am not really in the mood for falafel. He showed me to a hotel here. What a dump, not his fault, I think this is as good as it gets in this God forsaken place.
I agree with you, Valledupar could be a goldmine of chicas. No gringos or other foreigners yet. Low hanging fruit. I was surprised as to how white the city was when I visited
I have had several businesses here, bought and sold real estate and so on. I have found that in general, any advice or information given on PBH is either wrong, stupid or too little, too late. There are a lot of posers hanging there. Do not waste your time asking them anything. Just do what you need to do.
Anyway, I am here tonight, Sunday and going to Miacou tomorrow. I thought there might be a nice massage girl around but all they seem to have is fugly natives in moomoo’s. It may be an early night. Any time you want to take a ride, just let me know. It took me about 5 hours to get here from Cartagena.
Call me if you want - Martin
312 628-3311

it was a while back, when we met those two brits, but they made a mistake by shipping to the Philippines. Read there blog.

Adventurous greetings,
Coen

thailand
 

my friend
i just spent 6 months on a bike in Thailand, Malaysia, Sumatra, Laos, Vietnam
the laws of taking a bike into Thailand are strict
you get short visas and the bike has to go out with you
soi you will need to keep moving around
it can be done
ship the bike to Singapore and head north
bikes are cheap to rent or buy in south east asia
and the countries are bike friendly
you don't need to carry much gear as accommodation is cheap and not really any camping areas
if i can be of help just ask
in fact i am heading to Columbia and thinking of taking my bike so perhaps you can help me
gjw

You can spend a long time in Thailand. Get a 2-month double-entry tourist visa in advance. You can enter and leave without your bike. I stayed like this for a year. The bike has to leave every 6 months, but it and you can come right back.

Shipping to Thailand is not recommended, due to corruption in the port of Bkk. Ship to KL instead. Singapore is bureaucratic, but can be done.

Cheers,
Peter.

philippines
 

hey,
philippines is a great place and I'd recommend it to everyone! we've been living there for more than 5 years and will be coming back after finishing our RTW trip.
anyway, its hard to get in w/o carnet but possible.
let me know if you're really interested and I'll give you some contacts in borneo. I believe you can make it to the philippines with few bribes, once you have some support from local riders.
the way to ship is to take the fery from sandakan/borneo to zamboanga/philippines. the freight for the trip was about 100US for 2 people and 1 africa twin.
ride safe

Did you enter with your bike in Vietnam??? How many cc's has your bike? I have many friends that have been refused to enter Vietnam on a bike because their bike is over 250 cc.

It would be interesting to learn if rules have laxed?

Adventurous greetings,
Coen

looking for someone to travel with in Thailand in January
 

I will be heading to Thailand to the HU meeting in January again this year and my wife backed out on the trip. Looking for someone that might want to do some riding in Northern Thailand. I did 30 days there last year and really had a great time. I would also be up for crossing over into Cambodia or Laos or even Viet Nam.

motormovies
 

Just for fun:
On our website Life Is Joy - Home you can find 4 small movies from our motortrip in Thailand.
Enjoy!

Hello Larry:

I am still headed to SE Asia, just with out my bike. I was able to get some shipping quotes from Cartagena to Thailand, however adding in all the known cost, the unknown expenses on the other side and hassle factor, I decided to see about renting there. I am landing in HCMC on the 11th of December and then flying out of BKK on the 20th of Jan. Other than that, I have no plans. Martin