Hi Guys, Its been a while since I have been here as I still feel sick to the stomach when I think about the whole situation and trying to forget that my most valuable asset sits holed up in a hostel room on the other side of the world.
Yes, I am now back in OZ after finally getting out of Arequipa Peru and into 2 weeks isolation in Melbourne, Aussieland. Who would have thought hey???
As of today, my bike is stored locked away in a hostel room at $120 USD/month in Arequipa. After all the work getting a travel permit to Cusco, the Aussie Govt got into contact at the last minute and said don't move, we are on our way to get you. 3 days later I was in Melbourne. As everything was in Arequipa was closed, and no possibility to move, I had to negotiate with a Hostel that I had previously stayed at to store my bike. I paid $360 USD for 3 months rent, (3rd April to 3rd July), this runs out in 2 days so last night I gave him another $360USD via western Union for another 3 months. This is going to be one hell of an expensive trip . Who knows when it will end but I have come to the realisation that it could be 12 months before I can get back. And then, maybe to only rescue the bike and ship it back home. Don't know yet. I planned to go to Alaska and I've got Ecuador, Columbia, Panama, etc etc up next. Will all the boarders be open???....nobody knows and its not worth worrying about now. Time will tell.

In relation to my TVIP, it has not been suspended. I had 90 days, 10 of which were expired prior to the boarders closing (15th March). In theory, I still had 80 days left on it. There are so many rumours about the clock stopped ticking the day the boarders closed and will start again once they open but I've seen nothing in writing to that effect from a Govt department or the like. It makes me quite uncomfortable. I have a local dude looking after me (for a fee of course) and he told me the SUNAT will open today (1st July) for the first time. I have given him a photo copy of the TVIP which he will then present to them. As I have been told by Toby, suspending a TVIP is not an easy process which (normally) involves evidence of a contract of storage and a police inspection. That's "normally". God knows what the buggers are likely to do or say in this current situation.

So guys, the bike never made it to Cusco so I don't have any info for that. I am able to give you details of where its stored in Arequipa if anyone needs them. Ill do this privately as I don't want to publicly announce the location of my pride and joy. Its safe and I trust them.

OK, that's all for now. In the next few days Ill know exactly what the deal is with the TVIP an let you all know, (Well as far as what I have been told anyway!!!). PS; Just to complicate things, the Aussie Gov't is talking about no intentional flights out until next year, just another spanner in the works.
Until then, drink , start another iso project (preferably motorcycle related!) and keep safe.

Kind Regards

Dale

Hoping for the best for you.

I too left a bike in Peru (not during COVID) and at the time it was not certain I would eb able to get back to the bike in time for my 6 month TIP to expire.

In the end I was able to get the bike out with a few days to spare but my plan B was that if the bike's TIP was to expire well I would flyback and travel inside Peru with the bike until I got stopped and lost the bike.

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Alaska 2014: Hotel Budget ZeroXmas in Death Valley, New Year in Urique