Around the World in 800 Days

Stranded in Semuc Champey sounds pretty good to me. Looks like paradise.

CLICK ON THE PICTURE BELOW TO WATCH THE VIDEO
it shows the wet slippery conditions climbing out of Semuc Champey yesterday
Also, it rained all night here in Coban and my kick stand sunk in to the wet ground. Bike fell over and broke the video camera mount on my bike
CRAP!
I think I brought the helmet mount, so I might try that

But I couldn't enjoy it knowing that I had other places to get to and see
It is still raining here
I am going to get wet today

You wish mate!

Happy birthday wishes even if it is a bit late!
Enjoying your writing and photos, thanks!

Trust me
Just as many looks
Just not in the same way..........unfortunately

Highway 7W
It's a major road here in Guatemala
And 15 miles of it is unpaved and 30 miles of it is unmaintained.
Let me explain
When I say unmaintained, I am saying that the govt originally paved the road but they have not done any maintenance sinve. So you would expect pot holes and there are lots. But there are lots of sections where the hillside has collapsed on to the road and you have to drive over the mound of debris. There are sections where the road has fallen down the hill and you have to drive around the disappearing road.
And there is this one section that Lonely Planet warned me about. An entire side of a mountain came crashing down and took about a half mile of road with it. The locals built their own road piecing it back together. And it is not considered safe, especially in wet weather.
Well, that was the route I took today. And since it rained all night and in to the morning, the road was challenging to say the least. Not as bad as the road out of Semuc the day before though.
When I got to the section where the side of the mountain collapsed, it was obvious. It was huge.
There was a gate that you had to pass. It was manned by the locals that had made the repair and they were charging about a buck to pass thru. I would have given them twenty bucks if they would have paved it as well. And sorry, no pictures. I was afraid to stop and lose my momentum

Sunday in Santiago de Atitlan means
Rest
Church
And
Street tacos
The town is alive with people
All the ladies are wearing their Sunday best which is traditional Mayan colorful dresses
I think I counted three gringos in the whole village
I justed feasted on some tasty tacos right from the cart
And now, I am pirating the wifi outside a business because my hotels wifi is not working

you've inspired me to get off the Harley and find myself a an adventure bike...so much more my style than just cruising down a paved road.

joe

Hey Ed
I am missing my morning news........
Hope you have a great

Made it in to El SALVADOR TODAY
Internet is slow here where I am staying
I will try and post some pics and stories tomorrow
Todo bien

Ed is back
I am glad to hear from you, looking forward to your RR update.

Hi Ed, when do you think you will be arriving into Costa Rica??

I am thinking around the 20th of this month
See you then

Still at the same hostel with the bad internet
I hope I can post some new pics and stories manana
I have some good ones too

Be careful what you wish for Joe
You might just get it

Awesome trip report, Ed.
I like your traveling style with camping most of the time.
Do you drink (I meant wine, beer...) more than when you are at home??!
Ship your bike to Asia, take some weeks in Vietnam, I can show you how fund riding here.

After traveling thru the mud out of Semuc Champey, no one had any idea where I was from

I think this picture pretty much sums up the attitude here in Guatemala

Here is that lonely remote highway 7W cutting thru the mountains in Central Guatemala

This was one the most beautiful sights I have seen so far on my trip...............Lago de Atitlan in Guatemala as seen from the city of Pana. It is a lake surrounded by volcanos.