Follow me as i braaaap and cook around the world!!!!

Try horizonsunlimited.com

I will keep searching through horizons.. that is where I got all of the other tips that I used... Plain box, sample, no insurance, and so on...
I'll just find parts along the way roll the dice and smile with the adventures... hahaha..
thanks
Fletch
Headed toward Southern Nicaragua today.

Hey Fletch, Hope all is well with you and the bike. I love the pic of the dog on the beach, looks like a homie with a tail. Oh and the couple riding scooters with a surfboard rack. Now that is more my style...surfs up my man!!! Stay well and be safe. Take care, and I hope to hear from you soon. Thanks again for the B-day wishes that was a nice surprise.

DAY-67<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
1/10/2012<o></o>
<o> </o>
Look for tire day!!<o></o>
Woke up ran around town found one of the only motoshops I could find. They had oil, tube, and a rear tire my size. After a little Bargaining I left paying less than 80 bucks for everything... not bad considering where I am... Although I think I will wait as long as I can to put on the new back tire, I bought it more as a backup/ just in case tire. It is a CST 70% road I’d say. I will make it to San Jose, Costa Rica and try and replace both my tires there before heading down to Panama and crossing over to Columbia with Clay from Canada by the end of the month. I had a pretty low key rest of the day started to do some research on how I am going to get from Argentina to South Africa. Talk to my buddy Ben who lives down in Playa Gigante and got directions to his house/ surf lodge. I got caught up on a little Skype action, nice dinner, and went to bed.<o></o>
<o> </o>
DAY-68<o></o>
1/11/2012<o></o>
Ran around town looking for a map of Nicaragua, no luck oh well at least I am getting to be a pro at getting lost. Haha… I got my bike out of the owner of the hostels house and loaded her back up, threw the tire on the back and headed off. Made it out of town without getting lost once... I rallied through Nicaragua, didn’t follow my friends directions too much took a short cut and it worked out for me. I followed his directions wants I got off the Pan-American and got into the good old dirt. I had a blast riding today just laughing and giving her throttle. I was almost to my buddies house when I cam e up on a small river crossing he forgot to tell me about. I didn’t know how did it was, I waited till I saw a suv cross it, looked to be about knee deep. I took it easy through the crossing and then fish tailed up the muddy hill on the other side. I drove right past my friends lodge and then after asking some locals I pulled up to his gate. He let me in with a smile, hug, beer, and 5 minutes to get my board shorts on pick a surfboard and get on the boat. PERFECT!!<o></o>
We ripped up the coast looking for some waves, after 15 minutes we were in the water surfing a fun little break. We surfed for 3hrs or so and then headed back to the boat. I got settled into my room shown around the lodge and town. Went to his restaurant for dinner and a few drinks. Had a pretty mellow day, this place is amazing I will stick around here for a week. <o></o>
<o> </o>
DAY 69-71<o></o>
1/12-14/2012<o></o>
We grabbed our boards and walked down the beach over some rocks around the cliffs and jumped off a small cliff into the ocean and went surfing for 3+hrs. I traded with a guy Gavin and used his long board which was a blast due to the size of the waves. I have been going surfing and hanging out with a guy JJ one of Bens and Becca’s good friends. We did an hour hike each way through the dang ol jungle to go surf. Got home ate lunch took a nap and hiked back out toward the same spot but then went into a different town for dinner. We crossed a gnarly swing bridge in the dark that had a lot of missing planks. <o></o>
I have had an awesome time catching up with Ben I haven’t seen or hung out with him in almost 4 years.
The town is really really awesome a small fishing town which is about to blow up as a huge surfing destination.
Ben let me grab his Capitan, gas, and a few new friends and go fishing, his boat needed to be run. There were 8 people, 6 guys and two girls. The boat was divided myself and three Canadian guys fishing in the back and the rest in the front either hangover, sick, or seasick. One girl wasn’t ready for what fishing entailed. Right as we caught our first tuna, I leaned down and gaffed it out of the water she started to cry… Understandable due to how the first fish went down. We caught the fish pulled it in; when I gaffed it, it started to bleed. Walter the captain grabbed it and washed it off tossed it into the boat. Well it was still alive and started to flap around thus spray blood all over everything haha... The 4 in the front was not impressed. Haha we got it down pat for the rest of the fish we caught a total of 5 nice size tunas and kept them to eat. We were mainly using a hand line which is a blast to fight a fish on, much more entertaining than just a rod. We got back to land I kept one for myself, one was a tip for Walter the captain, and the rest was taking to a restaurant for dinner. We met back up and went and ate fish tacos for dinner. Was pretty good, kind of expensive since we caught the fish. Very nice group of people mainly from Canada.

WWW.WHERESFLETCH.COM<o></o>

HE WOULD ONLY RACE FOR PINKS, I WAS TOO SCARED TO LOSE MY BIKE...

LEON, NICA- CENTER

A LITTLE CROSSING.. JUST KNEE DEEP..

MY BUDDY BEN'S SURF LODDGE

END OF A RAD FIRST DAY OF BOATING AND SURFING

NICE FINISH TO THE DAY

HAND LINING IT

FRONT OF THE BOAT.. NOT SO STOKED

CAPTAIN WALTER IS PUMPED TO BE STOKED ON THE BOAT WITH HIS FLIPPY FLOPPIES ON

GREG'S READY TO GAFF IT UP

OH YEAH GET'N SUM

OUR DINNER

CAUGHT THESE ON THE HANDLINE NO BIG DEAL..HAHA

WWW.WHERESFLETCH.COM

DAYS 72-76<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
1/15-19/2012<o></o>
Lots of catch up, been slacking at the lodge. We will just say that the power/ internet keeps going out so hard to write..(Not true but sounds like a good excuse.)<o></o>
I am slowly figuring out surfing, still have a long way but it is becoming a lot more awesome the more and more I go and get better. I got to surf almost twice a day swell permitting, the last few days of my stay the waves were not existing but still nice to get out in the water. My friend Ben had to go to Costa for a little get away slash boat part pickup so I hung out with Becca and JJ every day. We went on late night hikes through the jungle over crazy swing bridges just for a little pizza. You wake up 6-7am everyday and go to sleep by 9-10pm every night. Went on a few nice long beach hikes, the sunsets were incredible and the people were awesome. I am sad to leave but very very anxious and excited to get on the bike and ride until I get to Panama to catch a boat to Columbia. I will be meeting up with Clay who I met randomly, once in Mexico and another in Guatemala, we will meet in San Jose Costa Rica and ride to catch a boat to Columbia from Panama together. <o></o>
<o> </o>
DAY-77<o></o>
1/20/2012<o></o>
Woke up crack of dawn 5:30am or so and started to pack up my bags and get ready. Walked with JJ to the Surf Lodge for coffee around 6:30am, got some coffee strolled around town and then loaded up the bike. I wanted to say good bye to my friend Becca, although she was at work and supposedly a dog that lives there hate motorcycles and will bite you if you show up on one. So all geared up I walked over to her work, as I walked onto the property all of the dogs start going crazy barking at me and walking around me, they had not done that since I have been here. All of a sudden the dog I was warned about got up from his spot barked at me walked behind me and BIT ME in the back of the knee. Although it was just a warning bite no skin breakage that was the first time I have ever been bit by a dog. I hate that dog it ran away before I could turn around with my steel toe boots.. I said my goodbyes and headed off on a 25km muddy slick road (even more slick when you have no more tread on your rear tire). You know your tire is bad when the locals look at it and tell you to get a new tire... hahaha.. <o></o>
I splashed through the river cross which was a little higher then first time since it had rained heavy the past few days. Made it to the asphalt and flew into Rivas, I was feeling very tired, weird, sick with a cold, and out of it. I got gas and headed to find a bank. I started heading to the border and I truly felt like crap, I almost turned around and went back to Ben’s to go to sleep. I got close to the border and it was a mess, trucks parked everywhere, thus making you drive on the shoulder which was a foot think of mud. Got through to the border, a guy came out trying to help me I said no thanks and went on my way. I made it through the first check point and it started to pour, I still was feeling awful as I turned into the next area where there was 15 people walking my way wanting to help and pay. I was too tired to deal I turned back around and found the first guy who was trying to help me out earlier. He shot me through the process without a hitch and sent me on my way. <o></o>
It is still pouring rain, I see three other bikers ahead of me at the car spray to wash the bikes before being allowed into Costa Rica. One guy from Canada was on an adventure bikes all set up wearing full gear, dirt bike boots, pants, pressure protections suit, full face touring helmet. The other two guys were on late/ early 80-90’s Honda Shadows, not real gear other than helmets one full face, one chopper style top hat. On guy had jeans and jacket other was wearing a ripped jacket, shorts, and a lot of bandages.. Yup that’s right he wrecked at night in the mountains of Honduras in the rain and tore his skin off. The two on Hondas had shipped their bikes to Belize and were riding to Panama for a three week adventure, the other guy was headed to Brazil to see family and pick u his wife then ride around South America before heading back to Canada. I hung out with them while we ran around and got all of our paper work, insurance, stamps, and permits figured out. Insurance? They supposedly had to get it for Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica, whoops this is the first place I have gotten insurance other than Mexico. Oh well lucked out on that one I guess no trouble.. Moving on.. Haha <o></o>
I rode with those guys for about an hour when they pulled off for lunch I pressed on, even though the border crossing went smooth and fast it still took over 2hrs. I started picking up my pace, but was so tired all morning and day that I finally had to stop for some food and a red bull wake up and get back at it. I started to see a lot of cops, I came up on a parked one he ran toward me pulled out his Radar Gun I slammed brakes and made it by without a problem. Then there were tons of bike cops with radar guns pulling everyone over. I knew I was starting to run a late for my 5pm meeting time with clay at Wal-Mart near the airport outside of San Jose. There was a lot of traffic between Puntarenas to San Jose, so I was bobbin n weaving all the way. Came up on a police check point, they were waving everyone over..(Oh come on I’m not going to make it before dark and miss Clay) wait what just happened yup he waved me through!!! I pull into town get turned around for a sec see Wal-Mart and pull in. Sweet there’s clay lets go to hostel. We rode to the hostel yup full, oh yeah its Friday night probably should have booked that one haha.. So we rode in circles in the dark looking for a hostel with safe parking, screw it there is a hotel with safe parking I’ll take it. We shared a room and did some research on line ate dinner and headed to bed. <o></o>

Pics to come soon!!

www.wheresfletch.com

RAINY DAY

HIKING THE BEACH ON A RAINY DAY

BACKYARD AT MY FRIENDS PLACE

JJ AND HIS STASH WATCHING THE SUNSET

MANS BEST FRIEND ON THE BEACH

WHILE EATING AT MY FRIENDS BURGER SHACK ON THE BEACH

GOING AWAY LOBSTER DINNER

6500 MILES ON MY BACK KENDA TIRE.. NOT BAD AT ALL.. TIME FOR A NEW ONE TODAY

NOT BAD $150 BUCKS FOR A SET OF PIRELLE.. I'LL TAKE IT

CHANGING UP CLAYS BROKEN HARDBAGS FOR A JIMMY RIGGED DRYBAG SADDLEBAG SETUP.. IT WORKED

RIDING WITH CLAY

CLAY'S NICE NEW STURDY SOFTBAG SETUP!!! NOW HE CAN HIT A BUMP WITH OUT EXPLOSION!!

HEADING SOUTH!!!

COASTING IT

WHAT IS EVERYONE ON THE BRIDGE LOOKING AT?

GATORS

LOTS OF GATORS

MORE GATORS

THANKS FOR FOLLOWING MY RR!!!
WILL BE IN PANAMA ON MONDAY, THEN TO COLUMBIA!!!

WWW.WHERESFLETCH.COM

DAY-77<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
1/21/2012<o></o>
Woke up to a nice home cooked breakfast, talked to one of the workers and found out that there was a moto shop into and I may not need to go into San Jose. We walked down to the shop to see if they had any tires that would fit my bike. Yup a set of Pirelli for $150 for the set and 12bucks to slap them on. I walked back to our place and grabbed my bike and dropped it off with brake pads for them to change while they have the tires off. Clay wanted to get rid of his crappy Panniers that kept breaking and exploding all of his gear everywhere every time he hit a bump. I remembered the Wolfman soft bag setup and we went in search of drybags. We asked at the front desk of our place and she had someone drop them off within 30 minutes a little big but only had size large so he took them. We then took our Leatherman’s and cut the boxes off leaving one side as a heat shield. Using bungees and a tie down he now has bomb proof soft, water proof, rugged, panniers. I walked back to the shop to find my bike ready to go with sexy tires, although they did not change my brake pads!?!?! I needed them changed BAD!! With bad Spanish I figured out that they could not get the front pads off and was trying to tell me to by a whole new caliper. I said I would ride like this till Panama and then figure it out with a few down days in Panama City figuring out our boat situation. He just told me Poco brakes poco brakes, use my front brakes very little.. Yeah that makes you comfy.<o></o>
We load up and headed on our way, yup Clay hope you ready for Fletch’s voodoo because we are lost and missed the turn off somewhere.. hahaha After a little driving back and forth we are on the right road and heading south toward the coast and Panama. It was nice to ride with someone again, we came over a bridge and tons of people had parked and were looking at something. So we parked and headed back up the bridge, there were gators everywhere. It was a nice break to get off the bikes, walk around, and check out gators. We pulled into Jaco and on the weekend it def made me think of Myrtle Beach, everyone was there to party and go to the beach. Every hotel and hostel was full. We finally found one after 30+ minutes of driving around. We made dinner drank a few beers and then we both worked on the internet while getting eaten alive!!! Tons and tons of mosquitoes. Went to sleep around midnight. It is just getting hotter and hotter as we ride south, I may pass out wearing my helmet.. hahaha<o> </o>


WWW.WHERESFLETCH.COM

Let 'er rip man I am IN!

DAY-78<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
1/22/2012<o></o>
We got breakfast, packed up the bikes and got on our way. We flew all day, kept on each other tails changing back and forth ripping through traffic. Down a small highway between Jaco and the Pan American highway. Gas is very expensive right now 5+ bucks for a gallon of regular. It was rad to ride with someone else again, just chasing each other around Costa Rica. We were going down this tiny little coastal road, all of a sudden I realized where I was, what I was doing and all I could do was and stand up and start laughing uncontrollable. It is getting hot and I am not a skinny little guy I sweat constantly no matter if I am cruising at 80mph, walking to the store, or just sleeping; all I do is sweat! Haha. <o></o>
Nothing to crazy happened; the roads were either amazing or all potholes, I am ready to find some dirt soon though. We were going to head for the coast about 25 km out of the way, then we decided to keep going until the next town Neily where there were places to sleep or we could push it and go into Panama. We made it to Neily around 3:30 Panama time and decided it was a bad idea to try and get through the border crossing then have to drive another hour into panama to make it to the town David to sleep. So we found a place with safe parking. We each paid 15bucks but we got fed some as well, very nice family ran hotel. We will cross the border hopefully by 7:30 or so tomorrow morning now I pass out. I had asked Clay if he ever gets lost, he said yup all of the time, he said that he too had only met people that claim they never get lost. Well I said don&#8217;t worry I always get lost so we are on the same page.. we just laughed. <o></o>
<o></o>
DAY-79<o></o>
1/23/2012<o></o>
MY LAST CENTRAL AMERICAN BORDER CROSSING!!!<o></o>
We woke up around 6am got all of our stuff together and packed up the bikes. We heard if the border is busy then it takes for every this is the main crossing on the Pan-American Highway into Panama. We flew to the border and right through into Panama&#8230;.Woooops go back to Costa and get checked out and cancel permit, didn&#8217;t even see an office thought it was a bus station. It&#8217;s only 7:30 we park our bikes in view and get into a huge line with all Costa Rican volleyball high school team. We finally are up, passports stamped and permits cancelled. We head back to panama border, get into a massively slowly moving line and wait, sweat, wait and sweat. Haha. I stood in line while Clay ran around to find the permit office, he came back and I ran around to find us a snack. Perfect timing he is only 3 away from the window that would of sucked. We get our stamps and head to the correct window, nope wrong one we are pointed in the right direction. We are then told we need insurance first so for 15bucks each we have insurance and go back to the window. But before they can we have to go to another office and get a stamp then go back to the window to get our permits. Hand over all the paperwork and copies with my passport, and then we wait and wait. Were sitting on the bench and a guy starts to talk to us he says we can&#8217;t seat and wait we have to be in the window bugging them or else they will take their time, so we go back to the window. Just in time the guy before us gets his permit and leaves I hear my name but can&#8217;t get in, oh well I will do it like the locals and ram myself through the crowd/line and get to the front. Sweet it worked and I grab my passport and permit, Clay follows my lead and grabs his too and were done..right? Nope. Now we have to find a guard to check us out and check our bikes, we find the guard without looking at our bikes he signs us out and we grab our bikes and make it 20feet before fumigation. After 3 hours, NOW WERE FREE PANAMA HERE WE COME!!!!<o></o>
We decided that we wanted to make it to Santa Catalina even though it was way out of the way to Panama City we are only on motorcycles in Panama one time. So we saw on three different maps that there were two different roads getting to the city of Sona and then one to the tip of a peninsula where Santa Catalina is. We really making good time flying with each other into David and grab a quick bite of lunch we know we have enough time to make it there in one shot so time to move. We are blasting down the road and then realized we haven&#8217;t seen a turn off at all for Sona, so we pull over and ask, yup we had missed it about 20km back or we can go another 30km forward and take a turn off in Santiago for Sona and then ride back North. No no we decide to turn around hit the small road and make it. Again this small road is on three different maps. We see a sign for Las Palmas not for Sona but Los Palmas is on the same road says the maps. So we rip up this sweet tiny paved road through the jungle all of a sudden it turns into a dirt road and we still keep flying down it. A dog runs out and starts to attack Clay I am positive he is getting bit but for some reason he slams on his breaks and stops instead of gassing it away. I pass him oh crap BRAKES, dead end. We both turn around with darks flipping out on us, somehow neither one of us got bit I was dying laughing though. We head back to the road, swear we saw another nicer dirt road we head back up the road. Clay asks a guy walking nope doesn&#8217;t connect but there is one North. We head north, nothing. We decided it had to be the road it is on three MAPS!!! So we try again ripping down the correct dirt road (which is an awesome radtastic road) I see a truck coming wave it down just to make sure we are going the right way&#8230;.NOPE YOU HAVE TO GO TO SANTIAGO!! At this point we are both just laughing; it is already past 4pm so we&#8217;re not going to make it. We finally make it to Santiago see the road we want to Sona but we need gas now almost out. We go into town get gas, find out that sun sets at 6:30 with the time change, now I am 2hours ahead of home. We then ask how long it takes three hours by bus two hours by bike, it&#8217;s five o&#8217;clock. We look at each other nod and start the bikes and rally toward the road, the road is newly paved and we fly down it making good timing. Made it to Sona and took our turn off for Santa Catalina. The road goes from new pavement to potholed out dirt, I am having a hard time seeing due to my crappy Fly DS helmet shield keeps coming down on top of my Goggles, won&#8217;t stay up (this helmet sucks). We take another turn for the beach and the road turns into an amazing roller coaster ride, rolling hills fast quick turns, brand new pavement all with the sun setting in our faces. We roll into town pick out a hostel/ camping area. We miss it and end up at a river crossing, Clay really wants to cross. I tell him that there is one last hostel on the other side; enough said we splash through the fresh water river detour right and rip down the beach as the sun setting!!! So so so rad!! We pull down a sandy road, find $6 camping on the beach, we pull our bikes to the spot zigzagging everywhere spray rooster tails of sand as we go... just can&#8217;t stop laughing. <o></o>
We setup our tents go grab a bite to eat and a few beers and walk along the beach as we drink and talk about the fun long 12hr day. We pass out and Clay got hit by a huge Coconut falling of a tree over his ten which hit him directly in the arm. <o></o>

DAY -79/80<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
1/24-24/2012<o></o>
Woke up to the sound of crashing waves 5ft from my tent door, such a peaceful way to wake up. Had a cruddy instant coffee, but caffeine still does the trick no matter how it taste. We then walked to town to find internet, not realizing our campground had wifi (slow took ages, but none the less they had it). It is ridiculously hot here; we died all the way into town maybe about a mile haha. Found internet about half mile out of town then walked back to the market and bought lunch. We got back to the campsite had beer and tuna fish sandwich, and then just relaxed for a few hours. I am trying to figure out a ridiculous dentist bill I received so I needed to get back online, and by the time I asked if I could sue wifi was told no turned off for the day. We grabbed our computers in search of wifi, no luck but did buy Beans and Rice for dinner. This was the smallest market you have ever seen, all they had was pasta or rice, they were out of soda and beer the second time we went back. Nothing on the shelves but dust. We saw a scorpion walking near our tent, Clay was not stoked to say the least, then we found out Tarantulas by the bathroom, and crocs in the river hahahaha. We headed over the river to a hostel for beer and met a couple new friends. We ended up at a bonfire on the beach for a few and then headed back to the tent not sure if we were leaving in the morning. <o></o>
We did not leave, both woke up with them same thought “lets stay one more night pack up early the next day and make it to Panama City and sort out our boat situation. We had a relaxed day of hiking over to a beach café, play soccer (football), swimming, reading, and just plain old fashion relaxing. We had chorizo, rice and beans for dinner. A guy rode up today on a brand new 2012 KLR with 1000 miles. First off the guy was a little looney and reminded me dead on of the guy who wanted his stapler back in “Office Space” Mert I think his name was. Supposedly he had ordered and bought the bike in Panama but now because he has it registered here and doesn’t live here they won’t let him take it out of the country. The reason he bought it here instead of in Canada and ride it down was because he refuses to ride through Mexico more than one….?? So now he is stuck here trying to figure out what he will do. <o></o>
<o> </o>
DAY-81<o></o>
1/26/2012<o></o>
Had a gnarly night sleep, never sweated so much while trying to fall asleep, this place is HOT!!!! We woke up early and made coffee and started to pack up the bikes. We dropped off the deep sand onto the beach and rode back to the River crossed it and headed back toward the center of Panama near Santiago. From there we headed toward Panama, I have never seen so many cops on the road. They were everywhere with Radar guns just giving tickets out left and right. There were cops cars, bikes, and just people standing on the highway and if they wave you down you are supposed to stop and get a ticket (no thanks). Like out never got pulled over, we rode hard but smart today. Lots of Pan-American Highway today, my back and neck are not stoked.. Too much sitting not enough moving around. <o></o>
We stopped at a gas station talked to two local gentlemen on bikes and they were from Panama. Every year they do some type of Central American tour, yesterday their other riding partner hit a cow, wrecked his bike, and broke his arm) he is still in the hospital. We got correct directions from them to get to the Kawasaki Dealership and Hostels. We somehow, still don’t know how we did it but ended up at the wrong bridge. Not too big of a deal very tired but we searched around no, no luck too expensive. We then decided to head into the old town, when we asked a local if it was safe he said 50-50, haha oh well lets go for it still day time. We rolled into the most sketchiest place I have been on this whole trip, defiantly the projects where there were tons of apartment buildings stuffed with people falling down in pieces. We made it to this one street where it was taxi graveyard, and Clay was leading, Clay went to stop to figure out where we were when I heard two guys yelling at him. I looked at him as if was crazy for trying to stop here to figure out where we were, I slammed the gas and blasted past him down into the ghetto. He followed after me and I was able to find the fancy neighborhood where the hostels were supposed to be. Today was by far the hottest day I have ever ridden in, the humidity is crazy. My bike was ready to overheat once we made it to the hostel, my body was soaked in sweat, and my mind was exhausted. <o></o>
The first one was full, the second one was full except it had on dorm bed left and if we wanted to wait to see if a reservation showed up we might score a double private room for the same cost for a dorm bed $11 each. The second one had two DR 650 sitting out front of it we met one of the owners he was from BC, Canada named Nick. We waited till 5:30 asked again and he gave us the room, nobody had shown up to claim the room. We threw all of our stuff in there realized it was a single bed, but did not care we wanted something where we could lay our stuff out and go through it. We went out to dinner with Nick and found out that there is a crew of bikers 18 of them heading to Columbia on the 31<SUP>st</SUP>, they are full but I still emailed just in case they have no shows. <o></o>
We sat in the lobby working on the internet looking for boats or a plan. Met another Dr guy from New Zealand, it was a rad night trading stories with everyone. One guy had taken 7months from Oregon to Panama, another took 5months, I took 3months, and clay had taken 2.5 months. Pretty amazing considering I thought I was taking my time.<o></o>

You want some adventure go down the PanAm to Meteti and then head West over to Puerto Quimba and put you bike on to a launcha and head over to La Palma. Here you can find a launcha ride/cargo boat down the Pacific coast to Colombia. You will have a hell of a Adventure and it should be doable for less than $300 if you can negotiate and speak Spanish well.

Check my sig line for information about getting to La Palma, in the last couple of posts. Go there and ask the Indian Jones guy about getting a boat down to Buenaventura, Colombia. Another helpful thread although leaving out of PC for how it works with bike from PC by Cruthas on page seven:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=416326&page=7

He left out of PC but you could cut some difference by leaving out of La Palma.

This is going to be your cheapest although not near as safe as the Caribbean side, use you own judgement. I would take more than two motos on this route just because of using so many launchas connecting the ports along the coast imho.

Goodluck whatever you do, jumping the gap with the sailboats and airplanes is way beyond getting ripped off at this point

John in Cali, the real one

Man,
am rating your report, nice work!

p.s. I am a little ahead of you on a similar equipped machine, when in Columbia I would replace your broken Zero Gravity screen with a stock one (find them for about $30 in Medellin), every time you drop your bike it will crack worse and worse... don't ask me how I know

Thank you, I have been debating that way as well, only hic-up is that I SUCK AT SPANISH.. ... Going to port in PC to see if I could work out trade to cook for someone and get myself and bike on their boat for cheap. You know anything about making it, by dug out boats?
Thanks for the advice Fletch

I would only take a dugout down the much more protected Caribbean side hugging the coast for safety leaving out of Buskarah off the Carti road, it's all possible but failure or trouble is high. Me and three kunas ran down the SteelRat all the way to Coco Bandero in the rain with 25hp for more than a couple hours

SAfety Third


You can do, just takes patience and time not a whole lot of money

Cannot decide how to get to Columbia from Panama.
My two options.
First one is the usually chosen one, pay $850 get on a boat on Thrusday Febuary the 4th and be there on the 8th, riding through Columbia by the 9th, everything included and paper work.
Pro's: Get there quickly, hassle free, they do all of the paperwork, one boat, pretty straight forward, party hostel on the water, get on my way toward the Southern Tip before it snow without having to rush to much.
Con's: Everyone does it, not that much adrenaline, $$$$$$$$$$$, to straight forward.

Second head down the East coast catch a Cargo to the border of Panama/ Columbia, catch two more small boats until you land in Turbo Columbia.
Pro's: ADRENALINE, adventure, not many do it this way, the unknown, cheap
Con's: Could take up too three weeks thus making me rush through a country so I can get to the South before it snows, could get stuck somewhere, could be a huge headache with my horrible spanish, have to get alot of paperwork done, can't get it done till Monday so I won't start looking for boat until earlist on tuesday.

Torn..... Have to decide by tomorrow morning so I can secure the boat for the 4th...

SAFE PARKING IN A HOTEL ON THE BORDER OF PANAMA

NICE GOODBYE FROM COSTA

FINALLY SOME DIRT, PANAMA STYLE

OPENED THE TENT THIS MORNING TO THIS

MY TENTS IN THERE

CANNED CHEAP DINNER

JUST EPIC ROADS!!!

HIKING DOWN THE BEACH FOR A CAVE

CRAWLING INTO IT

NICE VIEW WHILE EATING DINNER

GOODBYE PACIFIC COAST FOR NOW

HEADING SOUTH!!!! MEETING NEW FRIENDS ALONG THE WAY

WWW.WHERESFLETCH.COM

Awesome pics Bro! Lik'n the RR so far.... Good energy!

To help you make the right decision based on your inner wisdom try either Lean testing or the Muscle Test. I do it all the time it works. And listen to this.... My bro in law has made $100,000+ muscle testing on slots in AC... NO SHIT LOL
Anyway Here's the data...
Lean Testing works the same way as Muscle Resistance Testing. To understand how the Lean Test and muscle test work, you need to understand that your body is very electrical. Your nervous system transmits electrical impulses throughout your body. Your brain is a part of your nervous system, which sends and receives these electrical impulses. Specifically, there are 8 nerves from your spinal column (T5-12) that come together at the front of your lower chest area, which is called the Celiac Ganglion or plexus. This area contains a very dense concentration of nerve fibers, which has a constant flow of "electrical" nerve impulses to and from your brain. From this ganglion, nerves disperse to your abdominal organs and tissues. This area is very sensitive to the electron energy being emitted by every substance all around you.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
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Your "electrical" nervous system will respond to the electron energy being emitted by a food or product when it is held up to your nerve ganglion/plexus in your lower chest area. To understand electron energy, you need to know that everything on earth and in the universe has its own specific molecular/electron configuration. Energy is being produced when electrons move around the nucleus of a molecule in a substance (i.e. food, herb, chemical, clothing, etc.). This energy can be positive or negative, and it causes a weakness or strength in your body. It will also cause sickness or wellness.<o></o>
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The Lean Test works when you ask a question about a food or product you are holding or you ask a question about what is happening in your body, and your nervous system will respond by causing you to lean back for no or lean forward for yes. Your nervous system can do this because your brain knows every thing that is happening in side your body. It knows your nutritional deficiencies and your body weaknesses. <o></o>
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I learned of the Lean Test in 1998 when I was reading a book called "Stop Your Tinnitus" by Phyllis Avery. This was a fairly technical book about ringing in the ear. Halfway through the book, the author was talking about food allergies as a possible cause and proceeded to describe in one paragraph how you could find out if a food may be causing your ears to ring. Though the years, I found that not every one could do the Lean Test. I've been able to identify and correct these interferences. To do the Lean Test do the following:<o></o>
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1. Stand with your feet neutral (shoulder width apart) and your body weight evenly distributed over your legs. <o></o>
2. Establish which way is "YES" by asking the question "Which way is YES?" You will get a lean back or forward. "YES" should be forward. If you leaned backward, then your Central Nervous System and/or Energy System are out of balance, and you are "poled backward." To correct you Central Nervous System and Energy System balance follow steps 4 and 5 under the topic on Lean Testing Interferences. <o></o>
3. If you get no lean at all, then review and eliminate any interference that may be a cause. See the list of Lean Testing Interferences.<o></o>
4. Hold the food/product in front of you. Ask yourself, &#8220;Is this ______ beneficial/good for me?&#8221; Your nervous system will draw you forward for yes or backward for no. Lack of movement means neutral. If you get a sideways lean or bobbing, ask the question differently or more specifically. <o></o>
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5. You can use the Lean Test to find out if you need a supplement and how much you need. Hold the supplement in front of you and ask, "Do I need this ______?&#8221; If your nervous system leans you forward, then you can ask more specific questions as to the amount you may need, such as &#8220;Do I need 1 tablet a day?&#8221; You would continue to ask various amounts until you get a lean backward. At this point, you would take the amount that your nervous system last leaned forward for. When your Autonomic Nervous System is out of balance, your dose will be high. <o></o>
6. You can use the Lean Test to try to figure out what is going on in your body. If you are having pain or a problem in a part of your body, ask, "I am having pain/problem in my __________ (location), Why?" "Is it __________?" Keep asking questions until you get a forward "YES" lean. Then you can use the Lean Test to figure out how to correct the pain or problems, i.e. change in diet, take a supplement, etc. For example, "I have pain/discomfort between my shoulder blades, Why?" Is it my stomach? Is it my spine? Is it my gallbladder? Etc&#8230;. When you identify what the problem is then Lean Test the remedy. If you leaned yes for gallbladder, ask "Should I do a Liver/Gallbladder Flush?" "Should I take Beta TCP?" Etc&#8230;. The best Anatomy and Physiology book that is easy to read and understand is a DK book called HUMAN BODY. The ISBN # is 0-7894-7988-5. You can use this book to help you identify your problem or pain. <o></o>
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Finger Resistance Test<o></o>
There are several finger resistance tests that you can do. Strength = YES and weakness = NO.<o></o>
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Finger Pull Test:<o></o>
1. Make an "OK" sign with your fingers (index finger and thumb meet together to make a ring. Now loop the two "OK" signs together like when you make a paper ring garland for the Christmas tree. The index finger and thumb meet within the space of the other index finger and thumb ring. <o></o>
2. Try to pull your fingers apart to break through the bond of the ringed fingers. You should have a lock with equal strength and not break through. You can also just use the hooked index finger of you dominant hand to try to break through and separate the fingers of your non-dominant hand. <o></o>
3. Designate which hand will weaken, which is usually the non-dominant hand. Ask the question "What is NO?" You should be able to break through the bond of the non-dominant hand finger ring. Don't squeeze your fingers too tight. You just want to break through a locked finger ring. Now ask, "What is YES?" You should not be able to break the finger ring bond. <o></o>
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You can use the finger tests in place of or in conjunction with the Lean Test.
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So in this case you don't hold anything.. you just ask yea or no to first test your lean or muscle test to make sure your set. Then ask should I take A boat? yes or no and see the response forward lean or rearward lean. Then ask should I take the B boat? Yes or no then you can double check with the muscle test. You may find one works better than the other for you. I feel the lean is easier for me to work with, though I use the fingers too.

Peace JJ</o>

Thank you for the advice,
Fletcher

Nooo prob.... thanx for the RR!
I'm still work'n on finishing mine from last spring... takes me hours. Sooo good on ya for taking the time.