Colonia to Montevideo

30 March 2006
Day 12
Colonia Del Sacramento
2) Uruguay
Distance stilllll 1.2km

The day started off late and slow like everyday should be.
With the backpack loaded, this time on my back, I walked down to the bus station and got a bus to Montevideo. It was relaxing sitting there watching the Uruguayan countryside pass by but gradually it became more and more frustrating. A good road, little traffic, the weather absolutely perfect, no wind and not a cloud in the sky. I got myself soooo p….ed off because that was exactly the environment, that back home I had imagined riding the motor bike through and here I was sitting in a *&^$$ big box watching the whole experience passing on the outside. All because a tiny little bureaucrat, the lowest form of ….&^$&**(&^……and I got myself so pointlessly wound up. Frustration vented and over with.
So far the countryside looks like a brilliant place to ride a motor cycle through and the quaint little village of Colonia had a great chill out atmosphere. Lots of old buildings and things being restored and little cafes that could easily be mistaken as being somewhere in Europe.

Adios
Ricky

Meeting Famous World Travelers

Lisa and Simon testing my little pony.
They both gave it the nodd of approval.

It was a very pleasant suprise meeting them in Buenos Aires. They left their motor bikes behind and flew into BA from the South of Argentina for a quick visit en-route to a presentation in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Simon and Lisa are traveling around the world on motorbikes. They have covered most of the globe so far. We met when they were in Cape Town and exchanged promises that we would meet in South America and here we are on the otherside of the world in the same play ground.

Look at their web site http://www.2ridetheworld.com/

Even the Children Tango In Buenos Aires

29th March 2006
Day 11
Colonia
Uruguay
Distance still 1,2 km

The level of fun and distractions continued unabated in Buenos Aires. I took more time out touring the city and even miser me got into the shopping mode because prices are so reasonable. Anyone into leather and those of you heartless enough to buy fur coats, this is a good spot to shop.

Included amongst the Tango lessons and jowling around, Javier has helped me get the bike ready and packed. When it is loaded it looks very much like an ungraceful donkey loaded for a trek up the Himlayas. An old army “bal sak” would have worked wonders.

I had planned to ride from here Westwards and then slightly North where I would cross to Uruguay but the border crossing has been sporadically closed because of demonstrations in the area. The people are protesting about a paper mill being planned on the Uruguayan side of the river. They feel the pollution from the factory will be dumped into the river which flows into Rio de La Plata on the Argentinean side. Can’t say I blame them.
With this in mind and a potential bureaucratic problem of riding the motor bike out of Argentina, I decided to try crossing the river De La Plata to Uruguay with the ferry to a small village called Colonia Del Sacramento.

Well this morning I was up with the roosters and got everything tied onto the pony. Together we launched into the early morning mayhem called traffic and happily roared down the highway at the full speed of 90km/hr, heading for the ferry. At the port I proudly presented myself and pony’s papers only to be told that I cannot take the bike across. No amount of pleading or requests for assistance helped and I was sent off feeling like a rejected man.
I rode back to Dakar motos and sulked for a long time. After about ten minutes I thought it is time to implement plan B. There is no plan B.
Sorting this out may take some time. So I decided to get back to the port and take the ferry across anyhow and get Uruguay under the belt. I am now sitting in Colonia Del Sacramento in Uruguay sipping a beer and contemplating what life may have in store for tomorrow.

While I am still able to write let me conclude with details of this riverside village.
Colonia Del Sacramento is a cute little spot. It still has the original wonky cobble streets and old buildings. It was founded in 1680 by the Portuguese to smuggle goods across to Buenos Aires. This is probably not true of my forefathers and is merely an exaggeration of a slight indiscretion at the time.

Adios Amigos
Ricky

For motorcyclists info I am staying at Posada Manuel De Lobo (160, Ituzaingo street ) which has lock up facilities for bikes www.colonianet.com/posadamdelobo

Press Conference Buenos Aires

Looking Pretty at the press conference. (The girls obviously)

The press conference was organised at a Honda dealer in Buenos Aires where I explained the details and mission of the Freedom Flight microlight and motor cycle expedition.

I would like to say Muchas Gracias to Mr. Kenzo Yoshino, the president of Honda Argentina for supporting this mission and a particular huge Muchas Gracias to Gustavo Ogura for organising the formalities and helping me buy the motor bike. An equally Grande Gracias to Laura Galindez for making it all happen and the rest of the Honda team that got things done. Without you I would probably still be burried in trying to sort things out.

Your support gives me immense confidence that I will make it to San Francisco.
Thank You
From Ricky and The Red Cross Childrens Hospital

1) Argentina
Buenos Aires
Day 6 Friday
24 March 2006
Distance 1.2 km

Whoopy! Motor bike registered, number plated and legal to ride.
Went for a ride on the little pony and it handles well. It feels like a toy and the seat feels like it could get seriously hard after a few hours.
Off I went tearing down the narrow streets, turned left and it took a pregnant moment to register why the on coming bus was hooting. Driving here is on the right hand side, opposite to what I am used to back home. It was not a problem I merely turned up the pavement and into the car wash bay next to it. I am not sure if the group of pot bellied, white vested men playing cards under the carport were convinced with my attempt at pretending it was intentional.

This logic problem solved, I then went on to discover several new traffic rules like:
A green traffic light means go and a red one means go faster.
Right of way is to whoever has the biggest gooneys
And going around a corner is tantamount to a life altering experience

A bit late for those little introspective questions like “Why am I doing this?”
If you think I am doing this with confidence and no fear you are so wrong. I am poep bang! Once I get going I hope it will become easier.

On the social and fun side Honda arranged a media presentation which was good fun. I stood there in my new Honda T-shirt, flanked by two beautiful young girls, answering questions, while a translator struggled to make sense of what I was saying.
The presentation expanded into dinner at a really nice restaurant. Lots of fun was had by all.
Two visiting Americans from Honda Los Angeles and Rider magazine were part of the party. We exchanged a challenge and commitment to meet in LA and share a Mate’. A local drink of Argentina.

Now is off to an “Asado” (barbeque) with Javier and friends.

Hoping to get going by Wednesday next week.

Adios
Ricky

PS. Tango lessons coming along very well. Will try to send photo.

Tango Dancing in Buenos Aires

Lolo approves of the motor bike

1) Argentina
Buenos Aires
Day 4
22 March 2006
Distance 0.00

Things have been going well in this corner of the world.
As I type this, I can look over the computer screen at one beautiful Red Honda XR 250cc Tornado, my newly acquired motor bike. I am soooo pleased to have it and am keen to get going but it probably won’t be before next week. Friday is a public holiday which will slow things down a bit but that is not necessarily a bad because things are a lot of fun at the moment.
Javier is helping to arrange side bags, tank bag, a back box, hand protectors on the handle bars, crash bars and few smaller items and then it will be ready.
Honda has been very supportive and made this whole process run very smoothly.

In between arrangements I have made time to get out and about. Last night was dinner amongst the vibrant night life of the city centre and today was a guided tour.

These are a few details which I jotted down during the tour.
The city of Buenos Aires which is home to over 12 million people, was established in about 1580. Its original site is now Plaza do Mayo (Central Plaza) which is the Tiananmen Square (China) of this city. It is a political hot spot where demonstrations take place and this Friday is a public holiday with just such a demonstration planned.
It seems that Argentina since its independence from Spain in 1816, has endured a long history of political and economic turmoil with the latest one having been the economic collapse in 2001. It certainly looks like things have turned around and are once again on the road to prosperity.
The Casa Rosa (Pink presidential palace) with the famous balcony where Eva Peron energized adoring crowds back in the 1940’s, over looks the Plaza Mayo with several boulevards spreading out from this point. Some named after relevant political dates in the countries history, like 25th May being the first successful coup against Spain and 9th of June being another significant date.
On the lighter side watching the Tango dancing on the cobbled streets of La Boca, (the revitalized old part of the city), to me certainly was a highlight.

A few of these facts may be questionable because when I wrote them, some got extremely sprawled across the page. The ladies of Buenos Aires are very distracting.

Adios
Ricky

Javier, Sandra and their son Julian with his royal behindness.

Arriving in Buenos Aires
Day 1
19 March 2006
Distance 0

Things set off to a great start. The flight was over booked and his royal hindness was upgraded to business class. So I flew in style.
It was a beautiful sight as the aeroplane flew passed the front of Table Mountain. I got lost in memories of arriving back in Cape Town from the microlight expedition and seeing almost exactly the same sight.
We landed at Buenos Aires and once in the airport building I got one of those “Aah! What now? Can I go home now?” moments. No reflection on the place just a scary moment and realization of the long journey ahead. 20 000km is twice the straight line distance from Cape Town to London.

It was a reasonably cheap and simple taxi ride to where I will be staying at the Dakar Motos (www.dakarmotos.com.) accommodation in what looks like a quite inner city area. Quite, is probably because as I sit outside the door waiting for Javier and Sandra, it is 3pm on Sunday afternoon, Siesta time. I have been liaising with Javier via email and hopefully he will help me prepare the motor bike with its luggage arrangements, tool kit, spares and puncture kit etc.
The plan is to see the motor bike tomorrow and make arrangements from there. Honda South America is being very helpful and supportive in arranging the motor bike but details have not be finalized so I am not sure what to expect.

I must admit I am feeling nervous.

Adios
Ricky

Travel Tip
Whenever possible I will try and add some comment or detail about the practicalities of the travel arrangements which may be of assistance for when you travel.

For example: On the email side I use the yahoo mailing system because it is very compatabile with most internet systems and what is also great about it, is the huge stroage space. I scan and email copies of important documents like passport etc to my own email address and store it in a folder on the Yahoo system. If I loose something hopefully it will be as simple as getting a copy from an internet cafe.

Good luck with your travels.

Leaving Home

Hi.
Its my birthday today.
Comments have ranged from simple Happy Birthday to, it is about time I grow up.

Things are hopefully all ready. I leave on Sunday 19th March at 9am for Buenos Aires and land there at a similar time on the same day. Jet lag should not be too difficult and only really effects th sleep patern for two or three days.

There has been a lot of running around, being photographed for the local newspapers. All rock star like. Now where are the funny substances?

The Red Cross Children's hospital is the once again on board as the beneficiery of the expedition. This is a photo being taken for the local newspaper with children of the hospital.
I managed to get Lolo (The Children's Hospital Mascot) back from the very possesive ladies at the Fund raising section and she (Lolo) is coming with on the motor bike trip.
Most may be unaware that Lolo has been around the world on the back of the microlight.

To give an idea of the back ground organising that has been going on these are a few of the items:

Visas I have done home work into the 17 countires that I will be traveling through. Below is a list of these and the visa situation as I understand the situation. I have got the Colombian visa (their embassy was extremely efficient and helpful. Why cant they all be like that?) the other two

SA Visa Required For:

South America
1 Argentina No
2 Uruguay No
3 Brazil No
4 Paraguay No
5 Bolivia Yes On arrival
6 Chile No
7 Peru No
8 Ecuador No
9 Colombia Yes Done
10 Venezuela No

Central America
11 Panama Yes
12 Costa Rica No/Yes ?? Apply at country before
13 El Salvador Yes/No ?? Apply at country before
14 Guatemala No
15 Nicaragua Yes Apply at country before
16 Honduras Yes Apply at country before
17 Mexico No

Motor Bike. Honda South Africa has negotiated with Honda South America for them to assist with the expedition. South America are keen and have said they will help. I have tried to confirm but am still not sure of the details. Hold Thumbs and lets see how things unfold.

Luggage. What luggage? Two pairs of jeans, one shirt, two tee-shirts, 5 pairs of under wear, thermal underwear, down jacket, motorbike jacket, rain suite, polar flease track suit, gloves, Leather hiking boots, tent, sleeping bag, My favourite luxury, a blow up pillow, blow up ground mat, sunglasses, ugly hat in the SA Flag colours. Soap, shaver, tooth brush and paste, hair brush and that is all. Helmet will be bought/borrowed/or otherwise acquired in Buenos Aires.

Medical.Travel clinic has inspected my innoculations and all is still valid. I have taken no anti-malaria drugs and rely on mosquito repellent.

Drivers Licence. I organised this with the Automobile Association (AA) and there seems to be two different ones required.

Insurance. I have found the travel insurance through the AA to be the most comprehensive and cost effective. An additional amount had to be paid because I will be riding a motor bike.

Money. This is generally only a problem if you have any so my problems were small. I have changed a very small amount into small denominations of US $ and the bulk in travelers cheques (bit of an old system but still works). The rest I will draw out of ATM's with a credit card or from an HSBC card that I had opened for the microlight trip. The ATM system is amazing. No hassling with foreign exchange just draw local money from a machine. It does not work on all machines but there is usually one that will accept either card.

Other Items. If there are I have forgotten to do it.

Lets go visit Latin America. Coming with?

Ciao for now.

Ricky