Radioman Rides the World.......

[rjmorel]

Cool turtle venture Mark. Question thats been tugging on my mind is you mentioned you were going to the Antartic when you get down to TDF. How do you do that ??? Fly or by Ship?? How long ? just wondering cause that would be a once in a lifetime excursion for most, really enjoying your daily travels along with you here in the cold north. rj in Walla Walla, WA

[silverboy]

Not a lot of roads past TDF! Even less on the southern continent.
Ive been to Antartica from Ushuaia on a ship.
Just a tip. Last minute tickets on ships are cheap. There is not a lot of demand for that type of thing if you know what I mean.
Another tip: try to get on ship with less than 100 people. Lots of sitting around on bigger ships because more than 100 people cant go ashore at once.
also:
Falklands are kinda boring.
South Georgia is amazing.
Antartica is pretty snowy and cold...

[Bgunn]

Originally Posted by Radioman

I feel a million miles from anything normal for Christmas but very peaceful and content that this is the time for my journey to new places. On my own but not at all alone. Wishing everyone a blessed Christmas and New Years!!

Peaceful and content.........Amen

Looking forward to your future.

[olderigetfasteriam]

Merry Christmas Radioman! Enjoying your report.

[Radioman]

Originally Posted by rjmorel

Question thats been tugging on my mind is you mentioned you were going to the Antartic when you get down to TDF. How do you do that ??? Fly or by Ship?? How long ?

Antarctica is a boat trip out of Ushaia, TDF . No bike. But a chance to see an amazing place. Wildlife like Penguins, whales, and then Iceburgs and the amazing environment. It is an expensive trip but once in a lifetime experience.

[Radioman]

Originally Posted by silverboy

Just a tip. Last minute tickets on ships are cheap. There is not a lot of demand for that type of thing if you know what I mean.
Another tip: try to get on ship with less than 100 people. Lots of sitting around on bigger ships because more than 100 people cant go ashore at once.
also:
Falklands are kinda boring.
South Georgia is amazing.
Antartica is pretty snowy and cold...

Thanks. Knew about this if I can get there in time

[Radioman]

Could have stayed here for a few days.... But decided that there are beaches ahead and though that the border crossing might have less traffic on Christmas day. Had confirmed that both sides would be open as well.



Here is Lugz place with a large restaurant up top.



Was packed up early to get to the border at about 8:30 am. Following my main principals for these border crossings, get there early, well rested, with some food and snacks since it will take awhile. Plan to enjoy the people you meet and the experience of crossing another border. Always something new and unexpected.



Rolling up to the border at Penas Blancas.



Had to pay a $1 local tax, then have my paperwork and vin checked before getting to the Aduana Office.
Not too many people to was quick to get my passport checked out. Then getting the moto checked out. Had read other report that you need to get the police and immigration to sign you out, but got in line at adauna to make sure what needed to be signed. Then I found the policewoman to stamp my bike out. She did not even look at the bike, and then the customs guy who sign off right away. Back to the window and they let me back in line (smiles Feliz Navidad!) to get my final sign off of the paerowrk out of Nicaragua. Money changers but no real helpers this border to harass me.

Got the signatures...





Now onto Costa Rica.

Parked right here and went in to get my passport stamped into Costa Rica. You have to sort of wait outside the door of the bigger hall to have the guard let you in when the lines go down.... Only a couple people ahead of me.... Stamped out promptly. Then back out to Aduana. Fiiled out his paperwork, then he tells me that I need to go back up the road 350 Mts to get copies of my stamped passport and Suguro (insurance). I start up the road walking (my knee has been bugging me the last few days) and there are trucks lining the muddy road... I do not see anything that looks like a place to get insurance and copies. I go back and ask again and a guy outside gets called over and in broken english repeats the directions. ....

This time I walk further and spot the building with other truckers heading there....

Right in to but my $13.5 USD insurance and then get the copies of my passport page with Costa rica stamp.....



Back to Aduana. He finishes the paperwork, and sends me down the road to another office to finish. It is down to the left past all the trucks no sign of course, so I had to ask a couple times..... Go in and the nice woman stamps my paperwork and says. "your finished".....

Gte on my bike and ride into Costa Rica, just had to stop and give the last guard station the white slip of paper that says my passport is stamped in. Took less than two hours and I am in Costa Rica!!



It is in the 90's and warm, but then I start heading up in the mountains and it cools a bit. It was about 4 hours with light traffic to San Jose.



NOTE: traffic was light and I had read about the radar speed traps. Passed two of them on the way, but I was going the speed limit

Was tired so got a hotel in town so I could meet up with a couple other riders that are in town!

Christmas day riding worked out well for me! Then got to the hotel and had so many Merry Christmas posts and well wishes it was great! Thanks all of you for making me feel connected while traveling!!

Mark

[yzfcathy]

I loved the post card link. I missed it in your posts but got to see it when someone reposted. Glad I didn't mss all your creative work with that production.

Merry Christmas

C & S

[Idahosam]

Well, into Costa Rica you my man are moving along quite nicely after your temporary hiatus in Antigua. You do indeed have many a well wishers bidding you a Merry Christmas and now a up coming New Year. Do you still plan on making the transport across on Jan 3? What is your intent?

I do follow along every day to see how your progress is going, and sounds like the intelligence we got on the speed traps, eh. I am feeling much better now, I am trying to get some maintenance done on Moya.

Yea, 90's down there huh, it's been rainy and cold here 40's Keep the rubber down and seems you've adjust your speed accordingly too.

Following along

[upweekis]

Well, being from the PNW, it's old hat to you, but it's snowing flakes as big as cow patties here......enjoy Costa Rica's weather

[Chupas]

The Costa Rican border in 2 hours, that's an accomplishment! I like you attitude to the border crossings. Rather than seeing them as a problem, see them as a place to experience and meet people. I think you get so much more out of your journey that way.

We are in Ollantaytambo near Machu Picchu now. I have been blessed with Peruvian Christmas stomach flu. You know all about how that feels. (:

I'm always impressed with your ability to update your RR right away. I'm so behind.

Enjoy Costa Rica, and please don't miss out in the Osa Peninsula. Just awesome.

Hugs. Henriette

[pacmktg]

Yes I am a lurker but I wanted to say Happy New Year and thank you for your report. I check it every day when I get home or when I get up over coffee. My wife and I enjoyed Argentina and Chilie very much. Many blessings for the New Year.

Bob

[Radioman]

Originally Posted by pacmktg

Yes I am a lurker but I wanted to say Happy New Year and thank you for your report.

Bob Thanks for posting Up!! Always an encouragement to have "lurkers" post up that they are along for the ride. I know that comments can feel like they do not mean anything, but as the one writing the ride report it is great to have feedback that other are actually riding along!!

[TowPro]

I am sure there is a lot of lurkers out here who don't want to fill the thread up. So from all of them, "Happy Holidays and thanks for taking us along". Would be neat if there was statistics for number of readers watching this thread.

[poolman]

Radioman,

Your commentary and pictures are great! I've followed your thread from the start, and your theme of Faith, Hope and Courage is readily apparant in your attitude and outlook toward the people and situations you encounter on this trip. Truly inspirational; you have dealt with such a huge loss and continue to see the bright side of life.

Wishing you all the best,