Riding to Patagonia

[duccarlos]

Haven't seen a pic of our lunch   . . . . I know it happened but we have no proof .. .. ..

I'm a figment of your imagination

[DarkMonster620]

I'm a figment of your imagination

So I never had a burger a beer and sweet fried potatoes  . ..weird dreams I keep having

[duccarlos]

So I never had a burger a beer and sweet fried potatoes  . ..weird dreams I keep having

You should lay off the booze man

[DarkMonster620]

You should lay off the booze man

You will get your pic   ....

[duccarlos]

You will get your pic   ....

[1.21GW]

Ok ok.  We'll take a photo tonight as proof.   



DarkMonster has been a welcoming and generous host, helping me get parts for my bike and driving me to all the places I needed to get the bike on a shipping container to Colombia.






As a personal tour guide, he offers unique takes on the buildings and history of the city, complete with strong opinions and backed by a steady stream of alternative facts. 





























Of course, what would time spent with the DMF's most famous stomach be without culinary adventures.  And so we've eaten at the best local joints the city has to offer: russian-owned pasta places, dim sum breakfasts, Panamanian cafes (sancocho!!), local fish & shrimp joints and, best of all, Casa de Carlos where the head chef's cooking exceed its reputation. 

After a day of touring in the afternoon heat, and weakened by a full belly, there really is only one thing to do...

[DarkMonster620]

I was NOT sleeping . . . just had my eyes closed . . . I was tapping my feet to the rythm of the music in the background . . .

The first pic after the pic of the bike in container, tells you how far I live from the city . . .

[1.21GW]

Pics or it did not happen

Steak dinner delivered as promised.  Thanks to DarkMonster for all the hospitality! 

[Monsterlover]

How come your packed in a container and floating vs continuing to ride?

[1.21GW]

You can't ride through the Darien Gap (the land bridge that connects Panama and Colombia).  It is 80 miles of untamed jungle.



One guy did it years ago, on a 250 I think (not sure), and he had a group of people who basically had to carry the bike---down hills, over fallen trees, through rivers, etc---more than ride it.  At least, that's the story.

[Monsterlover]

Sounds like the ship is the way to go then

[lazylightnin717]

This is great! Safe travels and keep the pics coming.

[1.21GW]

This is great! Safe travels and keep the pics coming.

Did you end up doing the Ecuador trip?

[Langanobob]

You can't ride through the Darien Gap (the land bridge that connects Panama and Colombia).  It is 80 miles of untamed jungle.

One guy did it years ago, on a 250 I think (not sure), and he had a group of people who basically had to carry the bike---down hills, over fallen trees, through rivers, etc---more than ride it.  At least, that's the story.

I'm not having any luck  dredging up the name of the rider or the title of the book he wrote, but there was a guy who rode a BMW R80GS through the Darien Gap quite a few years ago.  As I recall, he occasionally had some help from locals along the way but didn't have any sort of paid entourage.  

[lazylightnin717]

Did you end up doing the Ecuador trip?

Life has gotten in the way so it was put on the back burner.

I'll be living vicariously through you for now.

Cheers