The Adventure Begins... Tejas A La Tierra

Originally Posted by jfink

Just made our flight arrangements, we will be in Cartagena 9/21/12. Our bikes will be there on the same date.

Jfink,

BTW, how much is shipping to Columbia? Who did you use?

Any logistical tips would be appreciated.

Thanks,

RB

[jfink]

Originally Posted by Red Brown

Jfink,

BTW, how much is shipping to Columbia? Who did you use?

Any logistical tips would be appreciated.

Thanks,

RB

So as to not to highjack Troy's post, I added a few paragraphs under South America / Costs in my blog (link below). But, and this is a BIG but, Troy has lot's more experience here and except for a few details here and there, would have practical knowledge of what it costs.

Are you thinking of going?

I have heard shipping bikes outside the US can be quite expensive. Another option is to rent or purchase a used bike abroad and sell it before returning to the US.

I was quoted around $4,000 round-trip from Houston to Europe. There are all sorts of hidden fees in shipping at least to Europe. It might be cheaper to Columbia. The other economical option is to use a freight consolidator and have your bike as part of a larger bulk cargo shipment and as a result expect a long, slow transient time to save on money. If you're going for many, many months, I think shipping probably makes sense.

I think Troy picked an excellent bike for reliability and ease of service.

RB

[AndyT]

In 2006 I air freighted my bike from Panama City (Panama) to Bogota with Girag Air Cargo for $500. I am told people are paying $900 for this now. I know Girag flies to Miami, so if you wanted to skip Central America you could ship from there. A German tour company ships a container of bikes from Germany to Florida every year for bike week, I know people have tagged along with them, don't kno what they paid. MotoDiscovery ships bikes around the world regularly, you might check with them. I ocean shipped my bike back here from Buenos Aires in 2007, it took about 6 weeks and wasn't much cheaper than air freight, I didn't care about the time because I was going home. There are options, they all cost money, but $4,000 sounds high.

Originally Posted by AndyT

There are options, they all cost money, but $4,000 sounds high.

Thanks for the info! I'll put it into my contact manager.

I think Europe is naturally higher than South America due to the shipping distance and the plethora of taxes the EU imposes. I think many US-registered bikes that are kept in Europe "indefinately" are OK as long as your US/State registration/plate is maintained up-to-date, AND you take out/ maintain at least the minimum mandatory Euro "green card" vehicle insurance for the specific period(s) you are operating the motorcycle in Europe.

....I wonder in South America, etc. if you have to get some type of state inspection sticker depending on which country you visit?

RB

[AndyT]

Originally Posted by Red Brown

....I wonder in South America, etc. if you have to get some type of state inspection sticker depending on which country you visit?

RB

All the countries I visited issue a temporary import permit at the border, valid for a period of time that depends on the country. You then have to export the bike and cancel your permit when you leave. This is to prevent you from selling the bike in the country in question. In the USA we are blessed with low import taxes, and your bike is worth more in most Latin American countries because of this. If you have a passport, bike title, and drivers license, that is all you need for documents. Some countries stamp your bike permit info in your passport, to prevent you from leaving without the bike. It's all about governments getting their tax money. It's not as complicated as it sounds, if you show up at a border you will figure it out.

This was my experience in Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Argentina, and Chile in 2006-7. YMMV.

Some people travel with just the registration receipt in place of the title. I rode to Panama with a guy in 2003 that did this, and borders were a pain in the butt. I would do whatever I have to, to get the original title.

[AndyT]

Originally Posted by Red Brown

I think Europe is naturally higher than South America due to the shipping distance and the plethora of taxes the EU imposes. RB

FWIW, there were RoRo ships that go between Buenos Aires and Europe and I think South Africa. Didn't investigate cost because I didn't want to tempt myself into going.

[troyfromtexas]

Originally Posted by Red Brown

Jfink,

BTW, how much is shipping to Columbia? Who did you use?

Any logistical tips would be appreciated.

Thanks,

RB

From Panama to Colombia I used Girag. It cost about US$900. I only had to fill out a form, pay the fee, drain my tank, disconnect my battery and then they took care of the rest. It was super easy and fast. The same day I went to the passenger airport terminal, which is right next door, and caught a flight to Bogota the next morning. I arrived before my bike, so I got some money from an atm in the terminal, got something to eat, then picked up my bike. Again, Girag handled almost all of the paperwork. I just had to take some forms by the aduanas/customs office which was next door. Super easy and worth the cost. In summary, I checked my bike in at around 6pm in Panama City and by 6pm the next day I was riding around Bogota.

[greeneggs&ham]

So, Troy. Inquiring minds want to know, Where are you?
Sam

[troyfromtexas]

Originally Posted by greeneggs&ham

So, Troy. Inquiring minds want to know, Where are you?
Sam

I'm way behind on my blog posts, but I should catch up soon. I'm currently in Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. I plan to stay here for a while. Kind of a vacation from the vacation.

[greeneggs&ham]

"Kind of a vacation from the vacation."

You Da Man! I love it. How are the winters down under. I'm thinking you're just waiting till they open the beaches again. I've heard stories about the women on them beaches.

[troyfromtexas]

Originally Posted by greeneggs&ham

"Kind of a vacation from the vacation."

You Da Man! I love it. How are the winters down under. I'm thinking you're just waiting till they open the beaches again. I've heard stories about the women on them beaches.

In Rio de Janeiro the winter is not too bad... mostly mid to high 70s. I must say that there are some beautiful women in Rio. I'll try to post some photos of the ladies later. But, as a precaution I must provide this warning...

[The Bruce]

Originally Posted by troyfromtexas

In Rio de Janeiro the winter is not too bad... mostly mid to high 70s. I must say that there are some beautiful women in Rio. I'll try to post some photos of the ladies later. But, as a precaution I must provide this warning...

[Goldfish]

Originally Posted by troyfromtexas

In Rio de Janeiro the winter is not too bad... mostly mid to high 70s. I must say that there are some beautiful women in Rio. I'll try to post some photos of the ladies later. But, as a precaution I must provide this warning...

Dangerous curves ahead? Back in the day, or was it before the day, Elvis had a song in one of his movies that was about "Dangerous Curves Ahead" ... her name was Ann-Margaret .

Dale

[troyfromtexas]

From Salta, I continued north along the highway.

I passed by the Cerro de los Siete Colores (Hill of Seven Colors).

To me, the hill seemed to have more than seven colors.

I could count at least 10, maybe more. But who is really keeping track. It's just one of those wonders to ponder. How does that happen?

I rode on and passed an area known as the Quebrada de Humahuaca (Ravine of Humahuaca). There were mountains with crazy rock formations. I don't know if these mountains were formed from erosion or tectonic plates colliding... amazing either way.

I checked out the Posta de Hornillos.

The fort was built in 1772.

Supposedly the fort and others like it were instrumental in the war for independence for Argentina.

Ever see a llama up close and personal?

How about a giant llama?

I reached the small town of Humahuaca.

I left my bags in the hostel and decided to do a little exploring in the outskirts. I headed down a dirt road to an area called Coctaca.

I found the village which contained about 5 houses and this small iglesia (church).

Not much out there, except some thistles and some ruins.

Actually, Coctaca is supposedly some of the largest pre-Colombian ruins in South America covering some 40 hectares.

However, many of the ruins were not excavated and could not be distinguished from a pile of rocks. But there were quite a few of them. There was no information center, no landmarks, no signs... just rocks. I walked amongst the ruins freely.

There was absolutely nobody around.

Just me, Emi and a few cacti.

Actually, there were more that a few... the valley was covered in cacti.

Up close, the cacti were quite exquisite.

Oh... and there were a few burros amongst the rocks and cacti.

I headed back toward town along the dirt road.

Closer to civilization there were more burros.

And a few sheep going about their business.

I ran into this old lady and her dog. She looked like an interesting person.

I asked her if I could take her photo... and she said yes. An austere lady in a rugged landscape.

The next day I would push on towards the north. I passed hills, rivers, canyons...

chasms, bridges and mountains.

I stopped along the way... just to take a deep breath... and look. Northern Argentina had some of the most amazing scenery.

Further down the road, I reached the frontier town of La Quiaca. I crossed from Argentina into Boliva. Bolivia requires a visa for US citizens. I was able to get it at the border. It set me back US$135.

Ciao Argentina, you have been an amazing travel partner.

For the full story visit Northern Argentina

[troyfromtexas]

Upon entering Bolivia I traveled to the town of Tupiza.






In Tupiza, I met some fellow travelers and we would set off on an excursion to the Salar de Uyuni.





The Salar de Uyuni is the largest salt flat in the world at over 4,000 square miles (10,000 square kilometers). The Salar was formed as a result of transformations between several prehistoric lakes. It is covered by a few meters of a salt crust. The crust serves as a source of salt and covers a pool of brine, which is exceptionally rich in lithium. The Salar is both a natural resource and wonder.

For the full story visit Salar de Uyuni

[troyfromtexas]

I went from the sublime to the subterranean. I traveled from the bliss of the Salar de Uyuni to the gritty mining town of Potosi. The town is known as being one of the highest cities in the world at 13,420 feet (4090 meters) and for the production of silver extracted from the mines in the area.

And the thing to do in Potosi... is to go visit a mine.

I saw the mines as I approached the city.

I signed up for a mine tour and was equipped with a vintage Beastie Boys outfit.

As part of the tour, I visited a mining store. It is like a convenience store for miners to pick up supplies for their work... like gear, tools, water...

and dynamite.

That's right... one can walk off the street and into one of these stores and pick up a stick of dynamite.

My guide showed me how to connect a fuse and add a bag of common fertilizer to add a bigger bag for my buck.

I then went to the miner market where I could pick up some grain alcohol to drink and some coco leaves to chew. These are actually things that miners take with them into the mines to lets say "take the edge off the work day". I was encouraged to buy a few items to bring into the mine to provide as gifts to the miners.

I was then taken to a part of the mine at which I was shown how minerals like silver are extracted from the material that is dung out of the mine.

This huge apparatus separates the mineral from the material with water and chemicals like arsenic and mercury.

And if one is lucky...

Silver is extracted.

Then it was time to go inside the mine.

For the full story visit Inside a Potasi Mine

[troyfromtexas]

Sucre is a pleasant town with a nice climate, colonial architecture, cheerful parks, good restaurants and some art.










For the full story visit Sucre

[troyfromtexas]

I visited the Museo de Etnografía y Folklore (Museum of Etnographia and Folklore) in Sucre.

There was an amazing collection of ceremonial masks.





For the full story visit Museo de Etnografía y Folklore Mascaras

[troyfromtexas]

From Sucre I planned to travel to Santa Cruz.

I had a friend named Dave that was going to be visiting Santa Cruz and he was bringing me some parts for my bike.

I set off from Sucre along the asphalt highway.

Outside of a town called Acquile, I ran into a local motorcyclist pulled over on the side of the road. I stopped to see if he needed assistance. He said that he was just changing his oil. I said great. He inquired as to where I was headed. I said Santa Cruz. He said that he was going to Santa Cruz too and that we should ride together. He seemed pretty eager. I said okay and we headed off.

For the full story visit... Sucre to Santa Cruz