KS-Friday
As we get closer to leaving one continent, and heading towards another, we have a small bit of logistics to take care of. Yesterday morning we loaded up the bikes before 7am to head to Colon for our final bit of paperwork, getting the Temporary Import Permit cancelled. After the previous day's spectacular wait time for getting inspection paperwork completed, we were just a bit nervous about how this next step was going to go. After wiggling through some of the morning rush hour traffic, we found our way to the toll road heading north. Several toll booths were unmanned, and with no instructions, we'd pull up close to the gate that didn't open, and eventually a car would pull up behind us and the gate would open, so we gun it down the open road again. There was one manned toll booth in the middle of the stretch between the cities where we were charged a whopping $2.30 per bike to go through, I paid for both bikes, and after stuffing my wallet back in my jacket pocket, started heading through the raised gate, Chip didn't take off as soon and apparently was attacked by the gate before he got completely through. By the sounds that came through the helmet intercom, it might have caught him by surprise. I did what every good friend would do, check my mirror to see he was still upright, laugh, and click back over to listening to music. Arriving in Colon we were greeted by some traffic, and the dreaded dueling GPS scenario, each had its own idea as to what route we should take, and both were wrong. Luckily we were able to stop alongside the road in a wide spot to study the map and pick a more feasible route. Even more lucky, the Police that waved us into that wide spot alongside the road, for possibly running a red light that was flashing or maybe excessive application of throttle with a somewhat louder exhaust, were not too interested in writing us a ticket at the time. We eventually made it to the Aduana office, expecting to see long lines, and were pleasantly surprised to see a couple people milling about, and a cart selling breakfast. We walked into the office we were supposed to enter, on the second try, and were told to come back in 15 minutes. Perfect, breakfast time, a couple of egg, ham and cheese sandwiches, and coffee. The sandwich was great, the coffee was just a touch on the sweet side, as in there was more sugar than coffee in it. I particularly was not a fan of the sweet brew, but the swarm of bees surrounding us was. There would be several crawling around my hand, and you had to be careful not to crush any of them accidentally, because they do like to inflict injury before they die if they can. Since I like bees, and dislike sugary coffee, I did the kind act of pouring out my coffee for my flying friends.
After our breakfast was finished, we made sure our papers were in order and headed into the Aduana office to see how things were going to go. The office was decorated with all types of Christmas items, trees, lights and such. A couple of the workers were wearing felt antlers which gave me hope the things could go good for us, and the air conditioner was working beautifully so that's always a bonus. We handed our papers through the window to the smiling worker who quickly stacked them in order, entered stuff into the computer, printed out a sheet and stapled it on the top of each of our 3 stacks. After things were stapled, stamped, and signed, she kept one stack, and handed each of us the remaining two and said bye with a smile. We looked at each other and then her, it didn't seem right that something so government could go so quick, but we were again told that we were free to go. We met Steffan as we were leaving, he was doing the same paperwork before the holiday weekend to meet the same boat as us. He was working with a shipping agent who gave us the advice that if we get pulled over, not to give the police the paperwork we had just completed, since it says that our bikes have been checked out of the country. Luckily we'd already been pulled over before doing the paperwork. It did give me a possibly false sense of freedom knowing that bike was technically not in the country anymore, meaning that any ticket or infraction might not have to be paid before leaving the country, as long as none of our travel documents were held as ransom. Not that we are habitual law breakers, but Id hate to have to spend a day trying to pay a ticket, instead of getting on a pre arranged sail boat to leave the country.
Speaking of leaving countries, Chip now has a new temporary passport with enough space to complete the trip. I could tell, and he even said it, that a huge weight had been lifted off him with a new passport in hand. We now have a couple days to kill before setting sail. Monday morning we need to be two hours away from Panama City in Puerto Linda to meet the rest of the passengers for the boat, and to load the motorcycles. Having not thoroughly enjoyed our last hotel, we decided to search for something different. That turned out to be a hostel closer to the downtown area. Funny thing is, we have an even smaller room than before, but with plenty of large common areas and a pool. Its bright, has a power outlet that doesn't turn off when you leave, and an air conditioner that will cool things to arctic temps. Our usual practice is to turn the AC on high and cool things off while we go eat. This was a bit much because when we came back I took my computer out to the common area to write this blog, and it was quickly covered with condensation. So instead, we spent the evening talking with a couple guys by the pool of the hostel, Ken from Virginia, who is retired, and has been living the life of a nomad for ten years, and Andy, an ex Army Ranger who works in solar consulting and is living abroad. We passed a bit of time sharing travel stories as the sun set, Chip gaining information on how to live the nomadic life. It was very interesting to hear how "other Ken" has been doing it, but "this Ken" really enjoys being married while living and working on the farm and taking occasional vacations. Days spent sitting by the pool in the sweltering heat of Central America may sound great to some, but sometimes, Id rather be working in my shop, or on the farm. Today I'll settle for updating this blog, and maybe getting some laundry done, Ive got a couple shirts that some may consider just a bit on the "gamey" side.
Today is a government holiday in Panama, so luckily all our important paperwork we need for Monday's departure is completed already. We will be going to tour the Panama Canal tomorrow, it would be silly not to, and Id really like to see it closer than just crossing over it on a bridge. My wife has always dreamed of seeing the canal, so I can foresee a return trip to Panama someday in our future. Next time we'll fly, just to avoid having to cross all the land borders in Central America again, try as may, they just don't add much enjoyment to the journey. But there is a great sense of relief and excitement riding away from a border, with a new country to explore ahead of you, and a motorcycle underneath you. The best is yet to come.
But for now, pictures.
As we get closer to leaving one continent, and heading towards another, we have a small bit of logistics to take care of. Yesterday morning we loaded up the bikes before 7am to head to Colon for our final bit of paperwork, getting the Temporary Import Permit cancelled. After the previous day's spectacular wait time for getting inspection paperwork completed, we were just a bit nervous about how this next step was going to go. After wiggling through some of the morning rush hour traffic, we found our way to the toll road heading north. Several toll booths were unmanned, and with no instructions, we'd pull up close to the gate that didn't open, and eventually a car would pull up behind us and the gate would open, so we gun it down the open road again. There was one manned toll booth in the middle of the stretch between the cities where we were charged a whopping $2.30 per bike to go through, I paid for both bikes, and after stuffing my wallet back in my jacket pocket, started heading through the raised gate, Chip didn't take off as soon and apparently was attacked by the gate before he got completely through. By the sounds that came through the helmet intercom, it might have caught him by surprise. I did what every good friend would do, check my mirror to see he was still upright, laugh, and click back over to listening to music. Arriving in Colon we were greeted by some traffic, and the dreaded dueling GPS scenario, each had its own idea as to what route we should take, and both were wrong. Luckily we were able to stop alongside the road in a wide spot to study the map and pick a more feasible route. Even more lucky, the Police that waved us into that wide spot alongside the road, for possibly running a red light that was flashing or maybe excessive application of throttle with a somewhat louder exhaust, were not too interested in writing us a ticket at the time. We eventually made it to the Aduana office, expecting to see long lines, and were pleasantly surprised to see a couple people milling about, and a cart selling breakfast. We walked into the office we were supposed to enter, on the second try, and were told to come back in 15 minutes. Perfect, breakfast time, a couple of egg, ham and cheese sandwiches, and coffee. The sandwich was great, the coffee was just a touch on the sweet side, as in there was more sugar than coffee in it. I particularly was not a fan of the sweet brew, but the swarm of bees surrounding us was. There would be several crawling around my hand, and you had to be careful not to crush any of them accidentally, because they do like to inflict injury before they die if they can. Since I like bees, and dislike sugary coffee, I did the kind act of pouring out my coffee for my flying friends.
After our breakfast was finished, we made sure our papers were in order and headed into the Aduana office to see how things were going to go. The office was decorated with all types of Christmas items, trees, lights and such. A couple of the workers were wearing felt antlers which gave me hope the things could go good for us, and the air conditioner was working beautifully so that's always a bonus. We handed our papers through the window to the smiling worker who quickly stacked them in order, entered stuff into the computer, printed out a sheet and stapled it on the top of each of our 3 stacks. After things were stapled, stamped, and signed, she kept one stack, and handed each of us the remaining two and said bye with a smile. We looked at each other and then her, it didn't seem right that something so government could go so quick, but we were again told that we were free to go. We met Steffan as we were leaving, he was doing the same paperwork before the holiday weekend to meet the same boat as us. He was working with a shipping agent who gave us the advice that if we get pulled over, not to give the police the paperwork we had just completed, since it says that our bikes have been checked out of the country. Luckily we'd already been pulled over before doing the paperwork. It did give me a possibly false sense of freedom knowing that bike was technically not in the country anymore, meaning that any ticket or infraction might not have to be paid before leaving the country, as long as none of our travel documents were held as ransom. Not that we are habitual law breakers, but Id hate to have to spend a day trying to pay a ticket, instead of getting on a pre arranged sail boat to leave the country.
Speaking of leaving countries, Chip now has a new temporary passport with enough space to complete the trip. I could tell, and he even said it, that a huge weight had been lifted off him with a new passport in hand. We now have a couple days to kill before setting sail. Monday morning we need to be two hours away from Panama City in Puerto Linda to meet the rest of the passengers for the boat, and to load the motorcycles. Having not thoroughly enjoyed our last hotel, we decided to search for something different. That turned out to be a hostel closer to the downtown area. Funny thing is, we have an even smaller room than before, but with plenty of large common areas and a pool. Its bright, has a power outlet that doesn't turn off when you leave, and an air conditioner that will cool things to arctic temps. Our usual practice is to turn the AC on high and cool things off while we go eat. This was a bit much because when we came back I took my computer out to the common area to write this blog, and it was quickly covered with condensation. So instead, we spent the evening talking with a couple guys by the pool of the hostel, Ken from Virginia, who is retired, and has been living the life of a nomad for ten years, and Andy, an ex Army Ranger who works in solar consulting and is living abroad. We passed a bit of time sharing travel stories as the sun set, Chip gaining information on how to live the nomadic life. It was very interesting to hear how "other Ken" has been doing it, but "this Ken" really enjoys being married while living and working on the farm and taking occasional vacations. Days spent sitting by the pool in the sweltering heat of Central America may sound great to some, but sometimes, Id rather be working in my shop, or on the farm. Today I'll settle for updating this blog, and maybe getting some laundry done, Ive got a couple shirts that some may consider just a bit on the "gamey" side.
Today is a government holiday in Panama, so luckily all our important paperwork we need for Monday's departure is completed already. We will be going to tour the Panama Canal tomorrow, it would be silly not to, and Id really like to see it closer than just crossing over it on a bridge. My wife has always dreamed of seeing the canal, so I can foresee a return trip to Panama someday in our future. Next time we'll fly, just to avoid having to cross all the land borders in Central America again, try as may, they just don't add much enjoyment to the journey. But there is a great sense of relief and excitement riding away from a border, with a new country to explore ahead of you, and a motorcycle underneath you. The best is yet to come.
But for now, pictures.
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| Bridge over the Panama Canal |
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| View from the bridge, looking out into the Caribbean |
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| Our room at the hostel, not bad for $12 a bed in Panama City. |
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