Riding the Dream

Life in Santa Teresa, Nicoya Peninsula

2012-02-20T12:19:00.012-08:00

Me on a left
Sean trying for the barrel.
Beach tandem yoga.
Windy day in Playa Carmen

OK stick with me doggyz... I'll get you some fish.
Solo sunset paddler.
Looking west.

Tomas Ritchie in action.
Pelican surfers
Hands up for this guy... good air!
Pink sky at night, sailer's delight.
Air time
Christine Ritchie and Lola chilling out on the beach at sunset.
Tomas Ritchie - just another sweet wave in his front yard.

Tangerine sky
My name is Indy, I'm not quite 2 yet and I can fly, yes... this picture proves it...

But no.. this band aid doesn't come from flying...
You see these stitches! yes, I'm cool... no sweat, just gave my parents a stressful

mission to the clinic! and done... this dude name Doc, was stuffing needles in my fore head!

I was like... "Hey dude! I better not have a scar! I gott'a look good for the babes..."

But I turned out ok.

He patched me with a cute band - aid, all the girls loved it.

So now you want to know the story???...

I'll have to blame it on everyone else but me.

There I was being cool next to a big pedal bike, you know, I was playing with the

thing, checking out the cool basket , spinning pedals, that sort of stuff...

Those stupid adults were just sitting there, drinking out of a funny looking bottle.

Laughing and not paying attention to me...

When all of a sudden, this big metal thing was on top of me, it attacked me like a huge

chunk of metal robot....

Yes, I cried... then it got my parent's attention, it worked...finally

"Oh No!!!" I hear my mom who's looking at me in panic. I could only see blurry from

all my tear drops... Then I screamed some more.

All the cool adults now were running around, doing things. Meanwhile blood rushed down my forehead and into my eyeballs..... "wwwwwaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn" I say

Then I remember they called him Doc, with a big needle..... poking at me, I didn't like it.

"He'll be ok, he's a tough boy, " That was the voice of my dad.

So is this what playing with big toys is like? getting needles in the head?

At least now I have a good story to tell my first girlfriend when we go cruise on bikes.

One of many board selection at Casa de Tomas base camp.
Another glassy morning.
Secret Beach, can't tell you where...
Avalon Ritchie creating beach art.
One of many property pets.
Beach bums...
Oh ya, Austin and Lola - the classic beach lovers.
Playa Santa Teresa.

Jennifer Smith giving a sunrise salut
Best outdoor toilet in Costa Rica,
Mark ripping it up in his back yard half pipe.
Taking a moment.
New Year's bang bang stuff... at Ritchie's
Sunset surf.

Tomas Ritchie sunset paddle boarding.
Cold beer, killer views, nice pool... Vista de las Olas... and awesome spot for a

sunset drink, Mal Pais.
Little Indy in a giant sand castle.
Surfers heading out at sunrise.
Jennifer takes in the last sunlight of the day.

Back on the road... Dominical to Santa Teresa, Nicoya

2012-02-14T11:20:00.003-08:00

A river along the road near Quepos.
Playa near Jaco.
Puntarenas Coastline.

Jaco in the distance... once a tiny little surf town, turned into a mini coastal city

full of bars, hotels, restaurants and souvenir shops. Also not a cheap place!

If you ask me... not worth the stop unless you happen to be there on a killer surf day

but prepare to deal with aggressive locals in the water!

On the ferry to the Nicoya Peninsula on route for Santa Teresa.
The beautiful beach in Puntarena.. not the cleanest water, but a good place to wait for the ferry.

Last minute change of plans... Heading to Costa Rica

2012-02-11T10:08:00.000-08:00

A shot I took of the road and my bike just before the chicken incident.

My music blast in my iPod as I cruise down the perfect paved road. I see in the distance

3 chickens. When I approached the chickens, one turned back running in the ditch, the other

past the front wheel and was already on the other side of the road... but the stupid chicken,

Ran right into my surfboard! I felt a big bang and I see feathers fly by. I look back in my rear

view mirror and see only 2 chickens. Approaching a small town, I don't dare stopping so I continue to cruise along hoping no one saw the poor chicken wanting to surf.

I could write a whole chapter on how many things I've hit on the road... This was my first chicken!

I don't think he died... but he sure felt what a surfboard on the head feels like.

After spending a night again at Hostal Veraguas in Santiago. I had planned to return to Santa

Catalina for a few more days. Thinking it could be a cool place to spend Christmas and New Years. My camping set up was perfect... the food was great and not too crowed. But the only down side... waves were not so happening.

I decided to pack up and go back anyways, I was craving another shrimp coconut curry from Mama Ines ... so I got a few supplies, including a bottle a fine Panama Rum for $9 bucks!

Leaving mid morning. I cruised along the same road back to Santa Catalina when all

of a sudden, the chicken encounter flashback into my mind. I was just passing by the area where it happen. I looked around for a dead chicken but saw nothing. Maybe a dog got it.

A gut feeling came to me, telling me I should be heading north, not back to where I came from. Santa Catalina was great, but surf wasn't working. Tomorrow is Christmas... I could spend xmas

on the road to Costa Rica. On a new Adventure, a new country. I could also be in Santa Teresa for the New Year, a place I had long wanted to go back to. (one of my favorite spots to surf and still is after so many countries!)

When my gut feeling told me the 3rd time... after riding 90kms!!! only 20 more to go... I turned

around... and made my way back towards Santiago. I didn't mind the ride after all... the road was so much fun to ride.

I came back to the hostel late afternoon. The owner was surprised to see me back so soon - few hours later!

I told her the change of my plans, that I decided to ride to Costa Rica on Christmas day and visit some friends.

Giving myself my own present! perfect surf to come and good friends....

I sent off some emails to my friend Roguer in Dominical Costa Rica and told him I would be there for Xmas dinner with a bottle of Rum. Followed by a restless night trying to sleep from barking dogs. I was anxious to get back on the road.

I felt great about my spontaneous last minute decision and was happy to be back in the saddle to new adventures. I had a long day ahead... ride all the way to Dominical (almost 500 km) with a border crossing in between. To my surprise, the highway was completely dead.

Well after all it's Christmas day!

I was the only one on the road. When I got to the Panama / Costa Border. Everything

was closed, no one around. The only place open to eat was at Burger king on the Panama side. I was starving from a 2 1/2 hour ride so I broke down for a burger and fries... ( yes I felt like shit after)

Thinking I better eat now, the border might take a while.

I was the only one standing in the window to get my stamp out of Panama, the process took 30 seconds... 2 minutes later. I was on my way to Costa Rica border. Last time I was here in 2008. It took 2 hours to go through both borders...

I went to immigration first and got my entry stamp, when the guy asked me if I had a return ticket out of the country, I told him I had a motorbike. So I got my 3 months then told me to go to Aduana for the bike Import.

The cute little lady was nice, very helpful telling me to get millions of photocopies. So I went to get copies... nothing was open on the Costa side so I had to walk back to Panama to get my copies ( 300 meters away)

Waiting for my photocopies to be done in the blasting heat, I spent the last of my american change on a coconut water. I walked back to Costa Rica to find my cute lovely lady replaced by some unfriendly asshole dude...

Not even a "Hola", he immediately ask for my papers. I handed him all my beautiful fresh photocopies and my Passport.

He starts typing away at the keyboard. Then he takes a look at my bike registration papers.

He looks at the back of the page, then the front, several times. Then the computer screen, then the papers, the screen again... it goes on for 5 minutes.

He then gets up and groups around the rest of the office team. They stand there staring at me outside the window, sweat dripping from my dirty and dark tan face. Meanwhile they smile in the AC room, passing around my registration papers.

The "A" guy comes back to his chair, looks again at the screen, then my papers...

" Your paper here says expired in 2008" He explains to me in spanish.

"I know!" this is only for Canada! and I was here in 2009 also was expired... I had no trouble then and I rode around 19 countries! crossed borders over 60 times and never had a problem!"

I tried to explain myself in my best spanish possible that my registrations are only for north America.

" Aqui, Costa Rica, necessito papel - legal! "

Why did this asshole come to the window??? why not this cute little girl that was so friendly!

she would of just giving me my temporary permit with a little flirty gringo look!

No!

This guy wasn't going let me go easy. " No legal, no go"

After 20 minutes trying to convince him there was no way for me to get new papers, only in Canada. He still refused and handed me back my passport with my million of fresh photocopies.

"Get new papers, not expired and come back another time" he says to me.

"Gracias Asshole" merry fuck'n xmas to you too! giving him the finger in my mind...

I went back to my bike hidden around the corner. Two security police and some local kids are checking it out... surfboard to the side, loaded with my bags... Bottle of Rum in my front bag on

top of my headlight.

"Abuelo!" Bueno Rum! The best in Panama" officers says as I sit on my bike searching for my keys.

"Uruguay??? " (they always think I'm from Uruguay, because of the big flag sticker on my tank)

"No - Canada"

"Surf - Surf!!??" making a paddling motion with his harms.

"Pavones! mui bueno Olas..." explaining to me with excitement about this classic surf break near, one of the world's longest left.

Nice moto! Suzuki!!! DR 350!!! bueno Moto...."

I push the start button, it fires like a dream. The 2 police man give me a thumbs up.

"Pura Vida" they say.

"Pura Vida Mae! Feliz Navidad" I reply.

Now a bus was blocking most of the entrance of the Aduana, so I took my chance, Shift in gear and left a dust mark while saluting my 2 officer friends... I wanted to finger the Aduana guy behind the little cage window (but I didn't - incase the cute lady was watching)

and rode away into Costa Rica....

No papers, no problem. After so many miles and border experiences. I rather deal with the

Police; if they stop me... they see my bike and we have bike/surf talk!

Much better then try to deal with the paper work bullshit needed at the

border Aduana Office that takes an hour at least. It sure made the process faster.

It turned out to be a nice Christmas present... now I could leave my bike in the country if I wanted too.

No one will know.

I arrived in Dominical just in time for dinner and see the sunset. Found my friend Roguer's sweet home higher up in the mountains.

It was good to see good friends on Christmas day, it had been years since we had last seen each other.

We opened the Rum and salut a toast to all our friends and family.

Stuffed our appetite over a fat chicken and mash potatoes...

Then more Rum was poured... and I stared telling my wanna surf chicken story...

Pura Vida! - Welcome back to Costa Rica

Got the Rum, iPod, sunscreen, ready for Costa Rica...
Don't need AC up there...
Long ride ahead, fueled up my bike and myself.

At the Panama Border.

My ride... with crazy surfboard, the pimp BMW GS1200 behind was a bit impressed that

I could ride with that thing. When I told him I'de been riding with my board since Uruguay,

he called me Crazy Canadian... then he took my photo.

mmmm... Are we really crazy up there?

I love how you can sometimes get things done for dirt cheap. Here the mechanic took the muffler

right off welding a patch on a hole. All for a 5 bucks! Beats buying a tube of epoxy, which I did several times before... at $3 bucks a tube! Doesn't make sense...

Tire change... $5 bucks, yap... everything is $5 bucks in this shop. Also Oil change.
La Casa de Roguer and Chantelle... home sweet home, For now they rent this beautiful home

300 meters from their property. Slowly building their home from a container. Building green as

possible. Their land has a river, killer mountain views, quiet, fresh air and Ocean views! from far away...
Internet cat...I guess electronics fry yur Brain!

Cracking open the Abuelo Rum from Panama, one of the countries best. I saved it for Xmas

Unfortunately Roguer doesn't drink...( he had a toast), Thanks to him... there was more shots for us.

Thumbs up! check out my new Xmas present Santa brought me... a new blue bike!

Surfing Santa Catalina - Panama

2012-01-26T11:40:00.000-08:00

When I crossed over the Panama Canal on the Centennial Bridge, I started to have

flashbacks from the last time I rode here in January 2008 on my way to Panama City to fly

the bike to Colombia. For some reason it felt as if it was only last year... but over 3 years

had gone by since I was in Central America. It felt great to ride the nice easy going straight

Pan American highway. I remembered the large Chinese stores where you can find everything

you need. - At Cheap price! - and cheap quality. Great thing in Panama, beers are only 45 cents.

I arrived in Santiago, a small size city half way up the country. The sun was just setting when I pulled in Hostal Veraquas. I quickly jumped in a cold shower to clean up the highway fumes and had a cold beer dinner and got in touch with the internet world.

The next morning, the sun was shinning - it had been raining for the past few weeks none stop!

My timing was perfect, I was craving some surf so I headed west towards the little fishing town

of Santa Catalina in hope to catch a swell.

The clean and cheap hostel Vera - Aquas in Santiago Panama. A perfect place to stay

on your way to Santa Catalina. visit their website.. .www.hostalveraguas.com

Riding back on this road to Santa Catalina brought back memories when I was last here

with Angela - my riding partner at the time, we rode to Santa Catalina after finding out it

was a surf destination not to miss.

It was also Angela's first time ever riding her own motorbike. Perfect learning road, asphalt, potholes, curves, dirt, little bit of everything in 110 km. We rode here on January 05 2008.

Only this time, the road was in better shape... almost 4 years later.

Vamos a la Playa!!! Surf time...

I was excited to go back to this spot with a surfboard. Last time I was here, I only

got to surf one day - Thanks to some friends we met on the beach and lent me a board

so I could catch a few waves. This time... I was ready with my board.
Not a bad set up for $5 bucks a night. A Canadian couple - my camping neighbors scored

the palapa roof. Luckily for them, since it had been raining everyday.

They said the day I arrived... the rain stopped... sunny 16 style!
A lot more horsepower then my suzuki dr 350!
My base camp - surf in front, Playa Estero. Good thing it didn't rain since I

didn't have a nice Palapa roof...
My only worry was ... the place was closed.
For $8bucks.... giant shrimp a la Coconut Curry... or fresh catch of the day.

Yummi.... I ate breakfast - lunch and diner at this same place. A killer view and

amazing food ( bad ass Brownies too! ) ... Mama Ines Hostal and Restaurant, just before crossing the river to Playa Estero.

The sign says it all!!! Surf'n Shake... but instead I did a shake and Piuk!

After having a banana shake one afternoon... later on that nigh my stomach didn't

feel so good... I'm not sure if I can blame it on the shake, or other food, can't see being anything

else then the milk... I ended up throwing up all night, until my stomach was empty.

The good side of it is I felt pretty light surfing the next day...

My morning breakfast... killer coffee and watermelon juice, view of the waves.

After surf... I come back for an amazing fish wrap.

Local kids walking to Playa Estero
Unfortunately I didn't shoot any action surfing. The waves were small and not many hot surfers out to get good shots. So I spend most of my days in the water surfing... after all, I'de been waiting to surf again since way too long.

My little home...
End of session.
Ride'n surf...
You can rent these pimp cabinas for $35 a night. - Warm Shower!
Local kid Andy climbing to get a coconut
Sunset soccer game on Playa Estero.

Sailing on Fritz the Cat from Colombia to Panama

2012-01-04T16:37:00.000-08:00

I was running out of patience after spending the last couple days on board the Meta Comet.

Captain Herve kept delaying the trip back to Panama, now a week had gone by, no bike and NO signs of leaving soon. I'de been anxious to get to Panama so I can surf again. I was also craving a Central America lifestyle, more beaches and sunshine. Colombia gave me many

life challenges and I was ready to move on north. Being stuck on this boat didn't help.

On my third day on the Meta Comet. I was sipping on my morning coffee when I saw Fritz the Cat anchored 50 meters away from us. A 50 foot Catamaran. I asked the captain; Fritz, when he was leaving for San Blas Islands and to Panama.... " In a few hours he says - Comon, you come with us", he yells out in his Austrian accent.

I jump in the canoe and paddle out to his boat to pay him a visit and see about negotiating a price.

I met Fritz several months before in Villa de Leyva, a beautiful Colonial town near Bogota. We exchanged several emails regarding sailing with him back to Panama. His price was a little higher then some other boats, but he had a good reputation, great cook and good captain. Not to forget a killer 50 foot catamaran!

After explaining to him my situation with Captain Herve and the Meta Comet, he gave me a last minute fair price so I jumped for the deal.

I paddled back to the Meta Comet, psyked to get going. I woke up Captain Herve to announce him the bad news. - Asked for my money back ( luckily I did get it)

I told him I was changing boat and could no longer wait for him to leave.

"I told you we leave Tomorrow" he says...

A week ago, it was in a few days, then a few days after, it was tomorrow, then tomorrow was tomorrow... I wanted to hear, we leave NOW!

An Captain Fritz said the Magic word.... we leave NOW!

At noon, in the middle of a down pour, Captain Fritz pulled over next to the Meta Comet and we loaded my bike on board * Fritz the Cat *

The rest of the crew arrived. There were 12 of us including Captain Fritz, his girlfriend and the deck helper, Jose.

Lifting my bike off the Meta Comet with the main boom in pissing rain.

Captain Herve wasn't too spyked.

All anxious to leave. By the time we got our passports, it was getting

late. Finally after sunset we pulled the anchor and set off to sea...

Adios Cartagena - Colombia, see you next time.
It takes nearly 30 hours to get from Cartagena Colombia to the first islands of San Blas.

Our first night at sea was a bit rough. We all took turns at night watch for an hour.

None of us felt sick (yet) I had a few Rum & Coke with Tony to celebrate our departure.

Making me feel a little dehydrated. My night watch turned out to be a good time to get fresh air and drink up some limonade.

The next morning, sea was calm, bikinis were out on deck, guitar jamming, life was good again.

Arriving at San Blas Island at sunset.
Captain Fritz, spear gun in hand, off to get us something for diner... but came back empty hands 3 hours later.
Instead we bought fresh lobster and crabs from locals for only a few bucks each.

Captain Fritz and his lady
Suzanna and Paige working on their tan.
Dream Rider enjoying a pimping boat ride.
Suzanna trying to get us more wind.
Here I am keeping things in balance.
Gabriel reflecting in a calm sea.
The girls
Chilling in the shade.

Pirate ship in the San Blas.
Local mode of transportation.
Argentinian bad navigation... bye bye boat.
Little too much RUM for those boyz.
Golden light in the San Blas
Time for a swim... no waves, but fun to paddle around other sailboats and clear blue water.
Jose cheff'in up a roast!
San Blas locals coming to sell us hand made jewelry... a sneaky shot as they are hard people to

photograph.
Cheers and another feast!
We spent a couple nights anchored in the San Blas.Welcome to the San Blas beauty paradise islands...
Paige being creative, her own island idea...
Dug out local canoe. - Heavy has hell!

Maybe drifted from Japan?
Local Kuna woman selling jewelry they make from little color beads.
Our boat in paradise

Kuna home
Little tropical paradise

Good bye to the crew... good 5 days of laughing, eating and fun adventure.

We arrived in Puerto Lindo Panama after a long night sailing from San Blas. The journey

was rough, sea was big with heavy rain. All windows shut , no air, it was humid and no one could sleep. Sick sickness got a few crew members spending hours piuckin on the side of the boat under heavy rain - No rum was drank that night!!!

Early next morning we continued our last 20 km push to Puertobelo were my bike would be unloaded.

The weather was good until my bike was off the boat. I had just enough time to say goodbye to the crew. As soon as my bags were strapped to my bike came a heavy tropical rain.

Welcome to Panama Caribbean !!! it's rainy season here...

I rode around in town under a torrential rain to find the Aduana so I could import my bike. I was told to go to Colon to do the paper work.

I had no intentions to go to Colon - one of the most dangerous cities in Central America! No thanks... I'm going paper less! No Import... (the paper work is nothing but a waste of time anyways)

I continued on towards Panama city where I would find the Pan-American highway once I crossed over the Panama Canal and ride north to Santiago also hope not to be stopped by the police - with my surfboard strapped on my side! I never know if some countries might not like the surfboard Idea.

The rain finally stopped as I got closer to the Pacific side. No more high mountain pass or landslides, no more military checks.

Flash back memories drifted in my thoughts as I rode with my music blasting in my ipod. Psyked to be back riding in Central America. On a surf mission north...

Last time I was here was in January 2009.

Cartagena - Colombia

2011-12-24T18:50:00.000-08:00

After doing plenty of research about crossing back to Panama, either by boat, plane or an adventure along the Darien Gap with some roads and small boats - which can turn out into a nightmare epic at this time of year!. ( The gap is still not connected and most like will never be, due to drug trafficking and multiple other reasons.)

I knew my options were slim to get myself and my bike across for a fair price.

While surfing the net, I came across the - Meta Comet - A reliable looking boat with a price to fit my budget.

My bike dilemma was solved and it was time to ride my last 120 kms to Cartagena to meet this boat.

Bianca came with me for her last ride and to spend our last couple days together in Cartagena.

We arrived at the dock just in time to meet 4 guys who just happen to come off the boat with their motorcycles. Unfortunately we didn't get enough time to chat since the guys on the barge didn't have all day to wait for me and my bike. Next thing I knew, my bike was being loaded on the barge.

We wish the boyz a good trip around on their journey south and motored out to the Meta Comet.

With good timing and a good help, my bike was quickly loaded on the barge.

So the plan is to sail from Cartagena to Puerto Lindo Panama with this boat...

The Meta Comet, a 75 foot old sailing/ wooden fishing boat. Looks cool.

Not really!

Once my bike was loaded on board and tied down, we met Julia the Russian helper and had a quick chat with Herve, the captain. While he showed us around. The boat was bare, not really

any beds or even a toilet to use, our thoughts for spending a nice evening on board was out of questions. I then asked the question - " So when do we leave? " expecting to be in the next day or so. " Oh! not till next week" - " Sorry, I forgot to tell you on the phone" he says.

The main sail was ripped from heavy seas on the journey from Panama, Herve needed to Chill a few days from a rough sail and he also wanted to go to Santa Marta to try and get more crew from Hostels to fill up his boat and lots needed to be done before getting back out at sea.

I was chocked, my bike was now on the boat and we had no intention to stay on the boat for the night so we walked to the old part of Cartagena to have a bite to eat and make a new plan now that we were without my bike for a week.

Local bus ride in Cartagena.

Sunset over Cartagena city.
This is what they thought about USA.... one messed up country.
Julia of Russia will be at your service while on board, but now she's cleaning the kitchen before

departure.
Captain Herve coming out of the front cave after a long night.
Skyline view of Cartagena's sky scrappers.
"If we don't do it? who will do it?" a quote from the boat... do what is what I always wondered.
Stormy night &

Spinning around the city.

Back to Colombia.

2011-12-07T07:02:00.000-08:00

The day had finally arrived where a decision had to be made if I was going to

continue to Ride the Dream or not. I already had my return ticket to Colombia,

my bike was parked in Barranquilla on the Caribbean Coast. With winter around

corner, my mind was set for some warm sun and surf, so there I was boarding on

my flight back to Colombia.

The journey back was long. Over 30 hours of sitting in airports and planes. But the

closer I got to Colombia, the more my heart was looking forward to sit back in the

saddle of my bike and ride it back to Canada. The idea of leaving my bike behind

after all these miles or to sell it was heart braking.

My return was booked to arrive in Bogota on the night of my birthday. Every year for

my birthday, I always try to be somewhere to remember it, either if it's climbing, skiing

or sitting on a plane. It' s always been a day not to forget... and this one, I will always

remember it very well...

Bianca and I landed in Bogota completely exhausted and with a bit of culture shock. Sitting in a taxi on our way to a hostel in the center brought back memories of 5 months ago before we left Colombia to fly back to canada. For some reason, it felt like yesterday.

We spent several days under wet, grey and cold Bogota waiting to catch our flight back to the

Barranquilla where Bianca's mother lives and where my bike was stored.

Our initial plan was to get back to Suesca to rock climb several days, but due to heavy rain, the only climbing we did was Indoor, (Gran Pared) a great climbing gym with plenty of steep routes to satisfy our climbing craving and get pump.

On the morning of Dec 3rd, we got back into another adventure taxi ride towards the airport

to catch our flight to Barranquilla. We were getting nervous about missing our flight as the

taxi drive took us on a labyrinth ride around the congested city construction. His car also

felt like it was ready to break down at any minute. Finally made it with less then an hour to get to our flight. We were happy to finally sit on our plane looking out the window and leaving the city behind and land in warmer climate on the Caribbean Coast. I was also looking forward to reunite with my bike...

Back to Bogota.

We spent most of our days walking around La Candelaria area of the city checking out street art.

Hostel Musicology - cheap and friendly staff.
Climbing indoor at Gran Pared in Bogota
Bianca on climbing the steep roofs.
Super steep routes
Waiting to board our final last plane to Barranquilla.
Goodbye Bogota!
You can see the flooded river... Colombia has been hit with heavy rain.

The moment we landed in Barranquilla, we immediately felt the intense heat and humidity of the coast but it felt good. At least the sun was shining and we were glad to be out of the cold city of Bogota.
It was nice to see my bike again. But when I tried to start it, it didn't fire up right away. Thinking maybe due to a dead battery I gave it a push start and it went. The next day I took it to a shop to get an oil change so it would be ready for the road ahead.
Bianca and I rode it to a Geto - dirty and dodgy part of the city where most bike shops are located.
I found a place to change the oil, but I needed to find an oil filter, the mechanic told me to go see another shop near where I could find one. They didn't have any, then we walked to several different shops and none had one for my bike. We came back to the bike meanwhile the mechanic had already taking out the oil without waiting to see if I could find the filter I needed.
He then told me he would find one, so nearly one hours went by and still no oil filter. I was starting to loose patience with this mechanic who just seemed to walk around chatting with everyone more then searching for my filter.
After he came back twice with the wrong filters, I put back the old one in my bike, filled it with new oil and just wanted to get out of there. But not so quick... My bike now didn't start! Thinking again maybe the battery was too weak, the mechanic told me he knew a place to check it out... so we went, pushing my bike to another shop.
This mechanic now claiming to be a good one who has worked on all the police Suzuki bikes, told me the issue was caused from a bad pick up coil. The exact same problem that had been occurring since Merida in Venezuela after that mechanic had stripped my bike apart changing all the wires and pick up coil was replaced by a generic one, then again.. the problem was back in Medellin, another mechanic changed it and said it was like new... but turned out to be a nightmare ride back to Bogota thinking we wouldn't make it back. ( see archives - a day I'll never forget)
I changed it again in Suesca, the bike worked fine for a 1000 kms to the coast... and here it was again, electrical issues started all over.
In Colombia, it's nearly impossible to find the original parts, so every mechanic seem to have a way of fixing things with generic parts that only causes more problems down the road. And now, the problem was back.
We sat in the bike shop for 6 hours, Bianca read half of her book while I tried not to loose patience with this mechanic telling me it will be like new again, that he would be changing several things with original parts.
Original parts made in India??? I don't think so! My bike was still not running properly.
The mechanic told me he had another solution, that he could fix it but not until the next morning since all shops here now closed. We were now starving and tired and disparately wanting to get out of this shop, so we got a taxi home.

The next morning, we called "Ramon" the mechanic, he told me for 350 000 pesos (200$) he would have the bike running like new with his new solution. Leaving me with no choice but to agreed to get it done and over with.
When we arrived in the afternoon to get my bike, it was still apart, he wanted to show me what he had done. He somehow bypass some electrical so my bike wouldn't run from it's original CDI unit - a very important electrical box where all the electrical is generated to. Now making my bike even worse.
He promised it would run perfect and that he had done this to other Suzuki bikes in the past. The bike started fine, seem to work fine, but totally screwed up all my electrical.
I was ready to rip his head off, I asked to show me the bill so I could get my bike out and away from his shop.
Numbers starting adding up, when he told me this and that cost so much. I knew he was just trying to make a little extra cash from a Gringo. His bill was nearly 650 000 pesos! ( over 400$!!!) Bianca and her mom were both with me to help with the spanish and negotiate. He was still trying to make me believe that he had replaced some parts with the original, but knowing all this was bullshit, I was sick of these mechanic rip offs. I slapped 200 000 pesos in his hands (100$) Grabbed my helmet and
drove away. He didn't even have a chance to realized what had happened. Thinking he was going to win with a Gringo and pay him big bucks for a shit job.
Now I have less then 150 km to ride until Cartagena, hoping my bike will get me there, were I will be sailing to Panama.
Meanwhile keep my fingers crossed that my bike will run and take me there...

Mechanics trying to diagnose the problem once again.

A short action clip

2011-12-02T19:28:00.000-08:00

This is a short slideshow from mix images over the years...

just to bring back some good days playing in the fresh air.

Enjoy.

Music by DJ Martin Lusignan

One month at home.

2011-11-12T10:14:00.001-08:00

We have now been in Ottawa Ontario a month visiting my family. The city isn't really my place so we need to keep active and find ways to burn extra energy. Running as been one good way to get our legs and lungs in shape and indoor climbing is the most we can do out here. This isn't Squamish! No 600 meter walls are found around the
area, so indoor climbing gym will have to do. We found a good gym (coyoterockgym.ca) nearby.

A great gym with plenty of quality boulder problems and routes.

It's been great to get back in our climbing shoes and get pump.

Finding a path of fresh air near Ottawa.
Trail running in Ottawa

Oh Canada!

A couple enjoying a ride on a tandem bike near Ottawa.
When the Canadian goose birds are flying south, it's also time for us to head south!

It's not a John Deer!

One weekend we drove north to Sainte Agathe near Mont Tremblant to visit my

good friend Martin and his family. Martin and I made the move to the west coast back in

the early 90's. I never came back, ended up staying in the Sea to Sky area to call it home. Martin on the other hand, came back to Quebec to find a cheaper way to live then the expensive West Coast. It' had been many years since we saw each other so catching up was a must.

His lady Brigitte cooked some amazing meals. Thanks Brigitte!

Unfortunately the first weekend we went up, then weather wasn't the best, so we came back the weekend after to enjoy a last stretch of warm weather and get on some rock.

I was very excited to climb in Val David again, This is the place I first got introduced to climbing - 20 some years ago!

I needed to climb all those classics that scared me while learning this new sport.

They sure seemed easy this time around.

Martin on the last pitch of L'arabesque, another classic Quebec at Mont Cesaire
Passing the crux
Martin slam's in a cam on Bloody Hands

Martin's son Justin, climbing in Val David
Here I am leading a classic route, Bloody Hands in Val David
Warm and tasty Chily... So many Thanks to Brigitte for her wonderful home

cooking.

Someone else who doesn't like the cold.

It was good to spend time with our friend Stephane and his little boy Sol. We met Steph while climbing in Suesca Colombia. He has spend many years back and forth in the country. It was good to catch up with him in Montreal and chat about Colombia.

mmmm. wonder what this one means? Plumber go to the back!

Montreal architecture

Pond Jacque Cartier and the Molson beer company... real Montreal landscape.

Oh yes, the Quebec flag

Chilling in Parc Lafontaine in Montreal.

Colors of fall, one thing I do miss on the west coast is the smell of dry leaves.

Over 90 000 kms of roads...

2011-11-04T19:59:00.000-07:00

Over the past 3 1/2 years I've traveled more then 90 000 kms of roads from Jasper Alberta
to Tierra del Fuego Argentina... and now with over 150 thousand plus images to edit for a
slideshow... here is a teaser clip of some of these roads I've encountered in 19 countries
over those years...
enjoy my visual road trip.

Riding the Dream from nomadbiba on Vimeo.

Dinosaur Bones at Royal Tyrrell Museum, Alberta

2011-10-13T09:17:00.000-07:00

After spending a few days with my buddy Rob in Calgary. It was time to get ready for the long journey across
the country to Ontario for a visit with my family. It was Bianca's first time driving across Canada but for me, my 6th.
So I knew what to expect... a long tiring journey.
We first made a stop to one of the worlds biggest Dinosaur Museum; Royal Tyrrell in Drumheller.
Drumheller is a couple hours outside Calgary. I visited the museum many years ago. I remembered
it being pretty interesting and knew Bianca would be excited to check it out. With over 40 dinosaur skeletons
and more than 110000 fossil specimens, it's a cool place to check out. (www.tyrrellmuseum.com)

Driving across Canada

2011-10-13T07:45:00.000-07:00

Only 3500 kilometers to go!
We buckled our seat belts, cranked some tunes and go ready for a long long journey.
The sky was clear as we cruise east with the Silver Rocket; our toyota previa van.
Driving across Canada is not the most exciting journey. As soon as you leave Calgary
the scenery starts with thousands km of flat farm land; the prairies. Oil rigs left and right in Alberta,
Barns and never ending farm land in Saskatchewan and Manitoba and long straight Trans - Canada highway.
The sun shone for us the entire way which made our drive more enjoyable.
We drove over 800 km per day and slept at rest areas at night.
The last stretch in Ontario is the worst part. Remotely deep in the forest with speed limit dropping to 90 km/ hour
due to many wildlife. Deers tend to come out at night
along the highway making the driving even more dangerous. After several hours into the
darkness, I didn't want to hit a deer so we stopped early to rest up for an early start.
Bianca wasn't too impressed when we got behind a redneck pick up and noticed a dead
moose in the back of his trailer... yap... Ontario is hunting world. We finally arrived in Ottawa, Ontario
after 4 nights and 5 days, we were looking forward to a warm shower and get out of the seats.
For some reasons. every time I cross Canada, I swear never to do it again... and now for the 6th time.

Going East...

Silver rocket ready for 3500 km mission to Ontario.

We should have more of those around our country!

And less of these...

East bound...

The little house in the prairies.

Lonely tree.

Sweet ride.

It was a spectacular scene to see thousands of Canadian Goose birds flying south.

Giant mini wheats.

Farmer's world...

Sunrise over the massive Lake Superior near Thunder Bay, Ontario.

Beautiful Canadian Rockies...

2011-10-07T11:32:00.000-07:00

It was nice to be back in Jasper on the exact date that Calixte and I left 4 years ago
- sept 29th 2007 - on the (www.calalmission.blogspot.com) I hadn't seen Cal in 3 years so
it was good to catch up. Unfortunately the weather wasn't blue bird. Mostly cold, grey and wet.
We spent most of our time editing images and drinking coffee at Cal's.
But we still got to enjoy a nice walk in Maligne Canyon, a good run at Point Old Fort,
a scenic cruise to Pyramid lake, eat Coco's amazing breakfast Burritos.
We saw 2 moose! coyote and elks.
And a fun drive to Maligne lake in Cal's new Mitshubishi Eclipse sports car...
Overall... not a bad 4 day visit in Jasper National Park.

Pyramid Lake in Jasper under grey clouds, rain, cold... yes it's the rockies.

Maligne Canyon - ©Bianca photo

Going for a ride in Calixte new sport car... Mitsubishi Eclipse.

Maligne Lake road and the Endless Chain.

Funny photo they use for a Canadian add on motorhome.... Alberta.... Grand Canyon??

Need a back scratch?

Wildy Coyote searching for the Road Runner... beeeb beeb...

Moose eating sushi in Medicine Lake.

Mama moose and Baby moose.

reflexion - Medicine Lake - Jasper National Park.

Athabasca Falls.

The chinese umbrella man walking in my photo. Thanks Buddy!

Native Totem at Sunwapta.
We tried to leave Jasper early in the morning but ended up running around getting breakfast wraps and saying hello to
the crew at www.fitzhugh.ca - Jasper local newspaper. They supported my two wheel journey by publishing some
travel stories, thanks guys!!! if you google my name in their search engine, you can read my articles.

Finally we were on our way south on the Icefield Parkway. they weather was still very cloudy and wet. But
had a few windows here and there for a more scenic drive then expected.

Peaks poking out.

The Columbia Icefield receding every year,

Icefield Parkway near Weeping Wall.

Weeping wall. - Unreal this place turns into a vertical Ice rink climbers heaven...

Just another peak along the way...

Flower Power.

another boring road side attraction...

Near Saskatchewan crossing. Forming the bad ass water ice of the ( Taberbnac wall ) hard and beautiful Ice climbs.

Peyto Lake, Not a bad view...

Back on the road.

Crowfoot Glacier

We soon found out why the glacier had that name.

Zooming in on Mount Victoria

Mount Victoria - dividing Alberta / British Columbia.

Pure beauty.

Moraine Lake. I 've seen many lakes in my years of travels around the world... But this one, IS the most
beautiful lake in the world.... Not doubt about it.

Bianca looking at the south face of Mount Temple.

Mount Temple 3543 meters - 11 600 feet.

Bianca stretching out the legs along Bow River near Castle Mountain.

The bear says it all.

Johnston Canyon. Another nice place to enjoy a scenic fresh air walk.

Coffee was more on my mind.

From the Okanagan to the Canadian Rockies

2011-10-01T20:51:00.000-07:00

Bianca and her G11... to see more images and stories of Bianca, visit her blog... www.nomadbiba.com

Funny name, but excellent wine!

Quail's Gate winery, Kelowna BC.

Beautiful sunset along the highway 97.

After sampling some tasty wine at a few wineries around Kelowna, we continued on towards Jasper passing by Kamloops
on the Yellowhead highway. We drove until Clearwater then decided to drive up to Well Grey Provincial Park to sleep at
Helmcken Falls parking lot so the next day we could check out this beautiful waterfall. It was a perfect place to
spend the night under a cold clear starry sky. Luckily no bears came to visit us throughout the night to see if
any food was available for a late night snack. It was another clear day offering great scenery as we continued
on North towards Jasper. We were lucky to see Mount Robson (3954meters) completely clear. A real treat for Bianca
to see the mighty beast - Canadian Rockies tallest mountain.

We arrived in Jasper to met Calixte, my travel partner for the first year of my motorcycle journey. Cal and I hadn't seen
each other since he had left Costa Rica (sept 2009) so we were looking forward to catch up. Calixte and I had left Jasper
on our motorbikes on September 29th, 2007. The timing couldn't have been better as we arrived in Jasper on the same
date, sept 29th - exactly 4 years after our departure day. Cal had friends visiting so we fired up the BBQ and celebrated
bringing back memories of the Cal and Al mission (www.calalmission.blogspot.com)

A memory shot - 4 years ago... same date... leaving Jasper along the Ice Field Parkway...

Newlyweds traveling in style.

Spahat falls in Well Grey Provincial Park.

Helmcken Falls in Well Grey Provincial Park. One of Canada's most beautiful waterfall.

Bianca felling the power of water.

Beautiful peaks along the way on the Yellowhead Highway.

The mighty Mount Robson - Canadian Rockies highest mountain at 3954 meters

Bianca practicing a little bouldering.

Mount Fitzwilliam

Moose Lake near Mount Robson.

Climbing in Skaha Penticton BC

2011-09-30T17:28:00.001-07:00

We arrived in Penticton late in the afternoon after passing the US Border in Ossoyos. Loaded with good American Sierra Nevada Pale Ale beers, we stopped at Skaha Lake to meet our buddy Tom for a few days of climbing. The weather was sunny and hot
upon arrival so we quickly went for a dip in Skaha Lake then we headed to Banbury campground on the lake to set basecamp
and drink some cold beers.
It was a clear and warm night. Thinking that tomorrow's weather will be a stellar climbing day. But the next morning, the
winds had picked up gushing up to 70 km/hr. The temps were still warm but the wind made climbing feel like Alpine style.
The next day, rain arrived and got freezing cold. " What happen to sunny skaha weather!"
We heard Vancouver had lost electricity for several hours and winds were blowing at 100 km/hr along the coast.
Penticton was in the middle of the jet stream, so we were getting the tail end of it. We still got some good climbing in
at Doctor's wall - ( one of the best wall, steep enough not to get wet ) and thanks to our friend Josh, a super strong
climber, put up some hard routes for us to do laps on. Even colder then yesterday, it really felt like being in the Alpine.
Thinking the weather had moved in and climbing was over, we woke up the next morning under a clear blue sky. The
Skaha sunshine was back. We climbed a couple more days until our fingers were done. Bianca got to lead her first climb.
Tom needed to get back home to Golden and we wanted to check out a few wineries before heading up to Jasper in the
Rockies.
It was hard to leave as it felt like summer again knowing that the Rockies would be cold...

Bianca on Minor Squirmish - 5.10b

Tom warming up on Minor Squirmish 5.10b

Our Basecamp... The Silver Rocket Luxury suite.

Morning stretches...

Not a bad spot to wake up to and eat your cereals.

Where's Waldo! Tom blending in the decor on Logan's Run on the Great White Wall.

Sun tanning time.... Tom on Belay.

Bianca pulling down on 5.11b ... Test of the Ironman.

Tom under a bright blue sky at Grassy Glades wall.

Ponderosa pine tree.

Doing laps on Building a monkey - 5.12a

Little technical belay problems. Or just having fun at the Doctor's wall on a rainy day.

Bianca doing her first lead climb.

Onsight!!!

another lead...

Campground wildlife, or more like Bianca's new friend. The next morning, Mr. Duck was waiting outside our van for Bianca
to come hang out.

cooling down under the stars on the lake

Wedgemount - Whistler BC

2011-09-14T22:38:00.001-07:00

Mission.... North ridge of Wedgemount.

After a few stops for food supplies and a bottle of wine and beers, we drove up the silver rocket to Whistler.
Our big objective was to climb the North ridge of Wedgemount; a classic must do mountaineering route with
great exposure and easy difficulty. So we loaded our heavy packs and headed up
the steep - 7 km - 3 1/2 hour long trail...

RE - Hydrating time...

Almost there

Timing was right ... arriving on top for sunset.

We got to our camping spot right on time to see the sunset. Good timing, so were the giant flies and mosquitos!

Full moon raising. - 7:50pm

Coffee time
We set the iphone alarm for 2 am. Already awake from alpine excitement... couldn't really sleep.
I awoke instantly to brew coffee, Bianca was in absolutely no rush to get out of her sleeping bag.
She had never been on an alpine mission - which means getting up at 2 am! When setting the
alarm before going to bed, she thought I was kidding....

We took our time getting ready under the bright lit sky from the moon and the stars were shining
as well. A perfect Alpine sky!
Finally we set off towards the glacier, a 20 min walk from our camp. It was bright enough to
walk along the lake without our headlamps. But not bright enough to make us miss a cairn
indicating the trail sending us scrabbing over some boulders and having to cross a river flow where falling
would have been the end of the night and climb! - We didn't realize we had wasted all this time until
we came back down in daylight. ( and saw the trail )

Time to put on our harness and crampons adjustment

Off we go on the glacier.

It's an ok view coming up the snow slope.
It was Bianca's first time ever walking on a glacier with crampons. To make the experience
even better!!! we decided to go with approach shoes and not boots! Bianca didn't have
any boots and to borrow some, she risk having blisters if the fit isn't perfect. Our friend
Damien ( an extremely well experience climber ) told us that approach shoes would do the
trick, he lent us his super light weight crampons to make us feel even more " Euro style climbers"

Break time.

Bianca's crampons were slightly bit loose, making the steep slope climb more exciting
the she needed to be. After an hour slogging up a steep snow couloir, we could finally
take our crampons off for a while and walk on dry rock.

Packing up the rope.

Sunrise on North Arete of Wedge.

The sun rose as we got to the Col of Lesser Wedge, the wind was blowing lightly and
quickly gave us the chill after sweating on the way up. We Sat in the sunshine trying to
shelter from the wind admiring the amazing view surrounding us. As we sat there feeling the warm sun on our skin.
Looking up directly at the North Ridge. The snow was soft and the route looked exposed and steep. I had
climb the route over 10 years ago with my buddy Dan. I didn't quite remember how it looked until now, looking
at it closely, there was no way that I would take Bianca up the expose ridge for her first time experience - even
less with her now wet approach shoes. We agreed on turning around, happy to have come up to the Col to greed
the first sun rays of the day. We sat a little while longer in the sunshine then made our way back to the lake the
same way we had come up.

Ski booting down the snow slope without crampons

Heading back down.

Melting Glacier

Foot of the Wedge Glacier... shrinking every year.

back to a perfect trail.

Nap time in the sunshine.

Bianca catching some last rays with a view.

Good bye sunshine, thank you for another beautiful day. - see ya tomorrow.

While I was filling up our water bottles near our tent. Two guys were walking back down wearing their
climbing harness and helmets. I quickly recognized one of them. While we were coming down a rock band,
they were climbing up the snow couloir we had previously climbed earlier. It was 9:30 am, I asked them
if they were going to climb the North Ridge. " ya ya, he told me in a strong french Canadian accent.
" You guys are pretty late" - I said - " it's going to be hot up there! snow will get bad and it's pretty exposed!"
"Ya ya, it's ok" he told me. Be Careful I said and wished them a good climb....

Now ... one of the guys had his harm all wrapped up in a bloody giant band aid. " You ok man!" I asked the
dude tripping along the trail with his heavy boots. " ya ya, I just add a small slip " he says in his strong frenchy
accent.
"That was you guys we met up there! I told you it was getting warm.... Lucky you didn't fall off the mountain! "
"ya ya ... it - was - OK ... not too bad " his buddy told me.
"What the hell happen to your harm!" I asked as he continued walking.
"Oh, noting- hey - I just slip and my ice Ax poke me in my harm - hey - (you mean punctured threw your harm!)

The next morning while chatting with another guy at the shelter hut. I told him about the guy who punctured his
harm with his axe. He told me another story about another guy... ( who we also saw going up too late with frenchy team)
slip, wearing shorts! on snow... scrapped his knees and legs to almost bare bones.....

- We were glad with our decision of coming back down safely and without scaring the living crap out of Bianca
on her first mountain experience. Never take the mountains lightly, even on a perfect sunny day...
the mountain can say no to you.
Even thou we didn't have the proper foot wear to climb to the summit. I was happy to have followed my gut feeling and not
push it further. The mountain will always be there, but you have to stay alive to appreciate it!

Sky Walker... use the force!

2011-09-14T20:13:00.000-07:00

Feeling a little cabin fever from working away on the computer at home, We got out for a late climbing mission...
Bianca wanted to climb up Sky Walker on more time before we leave Squamish Classic route. In my opinion, it's one
of the best - easy (5.8) - multi pitch climb in Squamish. Peacefully set near Shannon falls, a nice 15 min approach, easy
trail along a beautiful forest.
Every pitch ( 5 ) perfect fun clean crack with some fun easy slab sections.
Gota love Squamish Granite :=)
- All photos were taken on a point shoot Canon G11

Bianca on the first pitch.

Here I go... pitch 2, the crux and best pitch, a fine perfect corner crack.

Pitch 3

Say's it all right there...

Me walking the Sky Walker traverse.

Bianca testing her new sticky La Sportiva boulder X shoes.

February 2012 - women's climbing calendar

2011-09-07T21:49:00.000-07:00

I'm excited to see my photo in the 2012 women's climbing calendar. Many images are sent every year to
produce this babe / climbing calendar. I feel fortunate to have an image selected out of 12 months.
I met Vivi while climbing in Suesca Colombia, one of South America's best spot / gear crag.
I shot the image while Vivi was pulling down on a Classic - 5.13a - Hi Tech
Gracias Vivi :-)

Road trip... Seattle to Victoria to Comox to Tofino...

2011-09-02T16:02:00.000-07:00

A road trip to Seattle had to be done. Bianca wanted to visit the city and I wanted to visit the Patagonia store.
We packed up the silver rocket and cruise down south passing by Vancouver to drop off my crashed external hard drive for
an evaluation on the (severe) damage. Arriving at the border, I was a bit nervous about how it would go... With my passport
filled with stamps and Bianca with a British Passport - questions could be heavy.
We pulled in at the window surprised to find an extremely friendly officer wishing us a good trip but go inside to stamp Bianca's passport. - Where at the end of 1/2 hour wait, she didn't need a stamp. Continuing along the heavy traffic, I- 5 interstate, we arrived in Seattle just after sunset. I called my friend Elisa and found our parking spot for the night. We spent the next day walking around the market downtown. Tired of counting the amount of Starbuck's coffee shop ( funny enough I never took a photo of any of them) we drove north to Anacortes so we could catch the
next morning ferry to Victoria.

Welcome to Seattle .... Nice view of Mount Rainier in the background

Skyscrapers...

Water Taxi in Victoria. - No, that was not our ferry :-)

The Empress Hotel Victoria. ... No - we didn't stay there, we slept in our van!

Street performers along the water front.

The British Columbia Parliament Building in Victoria was constructed in 1893 in honor of celebrating Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee.
The capital city of Victoria is where the BC Provincial Government assembles to make the laws and decisions of this Canadian province and it is also where the legislation assemblies are held.

After spending the day in Victoria walking around downtown and the beautiful waterfront and moving our van from free one hour parking spot to another... avoiding paying the high parking fees around the city. We continued up north towards Comox
to visit my friends JC and Dennis from my good old days working on their circus trapeze in Whistler. It had been over 5 years since I had last seen them, so a visit was a must since we were on the island.

We made a quick stop to Chemainus - a little quiet town along the coast famous for its Murals.

Sailing near Comox

For many years I worked for Dennis and Jc in Whistler BC helping them run a circus trapeze! Yes, i was almost wearing tights!
but not... Dennis and JC did...
It had been over 5 years since we had last met. They had moved to Comox with " Tiffany" their 40 foot beautiful sailboat.
Dennis and JC live the great life juggling between Club Med in the tropics for the winter and Whistler for the summer. Now
they bought a nice home in Comox to retire from the circus world and keep their beautiful sailboat moored close. We were lucky with nice weather and slight breeze to get out and sail around Comox.
Thanks Guys! see you again soon... Maybe when we cross Tiffany to Hawaii! :-)

Big trees in Cathedral Grove Provincial Park.

Tall trees!

AAAhhhh... finally the smell and sound of the ocean, beautiful west coast - Tofino.

We arrived just in time to chill on the beach and enjoy a beautiful sunset,
These next photos Bianca took with her little point and shoot Canon G11 - Amazing!~

Mission to Anvil Peak

2011-09-01T19:11:00.000-07:00

Mission... 1 hour boat ride in... hope to get picked up tomorrow.
Thanks to Doug from Squamish boat rentals gave us a sweet ride in ... and a mission ride out.

Objective... Anvil Peak view from the Howe Sound in Squamish.

Native paintings along the way.

Powered by a 60 hp engine...

Here we go.. Bianca on a steep part of the 4 hour trail.

Almost there! not quite, an hour more of steep hiking.

Ok view of the blue Howe Sound 1000 feet below.

Yeeeaaa... Made it... 3 1/2 hours later, worth the effort.

Last push...

Lunch time.

T Lawson in action

Home sweet home for the night

Looking south at Sea to Sky at night.

Change of weather

Soaked on the outside - dry in the inside, thanks to Patagonia rain shelter Jacket.

Todd little bit soaked.

cold and muddy hands.

Not an easy place to get to or hike, but a great reward at the end... with a sweet heli pad to sleep on - camping
with style...
Until a storm rolls in at 3 am, soaking wet, slippery slabs and muddy trail.
It just made us look forward to a warm shower... and a cold beer!

Hike to Garibaldi Lake BC

2011-08-18T15:48:00.000-07:00

The sun as been shining for days now in Squamish. I guess we arrived on time. The weather was horrible until end of July.
High pressure moved in and giving us perfect clear sky for days...
It was time for an Alpine hike mission, Bianca and I packed up chocolate, fruits and bars and drove north of Squamish for 30 or so kms to hike the beautiful perfectly maintained Black Tusk - Rumble creek trail to Garibaldi Lake, 9 km up to stunning Alpine views. Another 10 km farther takes you to the Summit of Black Tusk. An old volcano core surrounded by wild landscape.
But running out of time, we just enjoyed the upper lake and for additional workout, ran back down the 9 km to the parking lot.
Now sitting here with sore legs posting these images for you to enjoy.

Our new silver rocket - * Bubbles * our new wheels that will take us across Canada
hopefully no bears decide to come see what's inside!

Vamos... 9 km to Garibaldi Lake.

Bianca looking into the light.

Break time.

BC trees

Almost there...

first view of Garibaldi lake

Seconds after this shot, Bianca happen to fall right in soaked up her shoes... Not sure if I should blame it on a rolling rock?
or lost of balance....

The core of the Black Tusk

It's an OK view up here...

Bianca taking it in one last time before heading back down.

Bianca running back the 9 km to our van.

climbing at upper Malamut.

2011-08-13T16:53:00.000-07:00

Another great day out, no wind, grey sky but peacefully quiet climbing over the ocean of Sea to Sky Howe Sound Squamish.
Not a bad day out with my friend Relic and Bianca...

Climbing at Shannon Falls - Squamish BC

2011-08-08T19:16:00.000-07:00

Some days are just lucky.
While hoping to climb at a quiet spot in Squamish... summer weekend crowds fill the granite walls. A good friend of mine
visiting from Austria was in town only a few days, so climbing was on the list of things to do.
We decided to see if a super nice multi pitch - a new squamish route - *Sky Walker* beautiful 5 pitch 5.8 was
busy. Thinking the area might be quite, unfortunately wasn't. All the climbs were busy. When all of a sudden I hear my name
out loud... " Alain!!" It was my friend Daniel. We had met the first year of my trip when climbing in Mexico.
She was in Squamish for a couple weeks of climbing. (on the sad note, she was here to meet up with Mikey and climb
with him, Mikey was to fly in Vancouver on July 13th for a month of Squamish climbing, he went climbing somewhere else.)
So to see each other was a surprise. She was climbing with her friend Holly. They were just about to climb one of Squamish most classic climb * Klahani Crack * an easy, perfect beautiful hand jam crack... 5.7/8.
I asked them if I could run up it quickly to set up for a few shots while the light was nice and happen to have my camera with me. It was the first time since may I'd taken any photos. It felt good to hang off a rope and shoot again.
Eventually the crowd left and we were able to get on Sky Walker, climbed under a warm sun and watched the sun set over the
Howe Sound.

Another beautiful day in Squamish.

Daniel on a perfect hand crack.

Some american boys on * Local Boyz do Good 5.10d * Squamish classic slab.

Daniel cranking.

Holly in the scenery.

Then we got on Sky Walker.....

My friend Klaus on the first pitch of Sky Walker.

Bianca and Klaus hanging around with a view.

Bianca at the final crux move.

Klaus on the exposed traverse pitch, easy and sweet...

Testing out my new camera around Squamish...

Kite surfers taking advantage of the clear sunny windy days.

Squamish Chief - 700 meters... plenty of cracks to be climbed.

BC green.

It's an OK view from my front balcony. - Mount Habrich.

Summer time - Back in Canada

2011-08-08T19:06:00.000-07:00

Heavy traffic heading up to Whistler for the long weekend of CrankWorks crazy mountain bike weekend action. Big air comp
Something not to be missed up here.
few shots of the Red Bull Joyride.

Every year, younger, ballzier, bigger, crazier air and tricks are showed.
20-year-old local boy Brandon Semenuk walked home with a fat $25 000 cheque!

Colombian colors

2011-08-08T14:32:00.001-07:00

Sunshine in Beautiful Tayrona National Park, Colombia.

2011-08-05T10:47:00.000-07:00

It had been over 6 months since I last smelled the salty humid Caribbean coast. I was anxious to get back in the ocean and
soak up some sun. Unfortunately no surf was found in the area. After spending days sitting under AC cooled room in Barranquilla at Bianca's mom house, eating too many treats and dealing with plane tickets and organizing our nearby future plans of flying back to Canada. We needed to get out for one last ride before parking my bike. Tayrona National park was only a few hours away towards the Venezuela border. The one place * MUST VISIT * in Colombia. Perfect pristine beaches....
Exactly what we needed to finish our last days in Colombia.
It was a bummer not to have my fisheye lens with my D300 Nikon. But manage to get a few pics from Bianca's Canon G11.

That's all for today folks..

Back to Suesca

2011-07-22T13:38:00.001-07:00

After the sad incident with Mikey and lost of my camera gear. The motivation of climbing went downhill. Our little home was cold, daily rain and cooler temperatures made us want to head north towards the Caribbean coast.
Bianca and I went climbing one last time at Valley de los Halcones, a very sweet spot near our home. We also wanted to climb in memory of our friend Mikey. - the one and only crag he visited. We met some other friends in the valley and had a wonderful climbing day...

My friend Tutti climbing a sweet 5.12 in Valley de los Halcones.

Several days later, we packed up the bike and headed back to Bucaramanga to visit and climb with friends at La Mojarra, one of Colombia's best sport climbing crag. Arriving in Tunja, 80 kms north of Suesca, we stopped to fuel up then continued on. After nearly 50 kms, I realized that I didn't recognized any of the road. Something seemed to be wrong. We pulled in at a gas station to ask directions. We were completely off route. Our google map on Bianca's iphone showed a good looking road toward San Gil. "No worries" I said, "lets just take that road". So we continued along until the highway split in 3 different directions. Confused, we asked at another station which way to San Gil.... "Ohhh", then man said. "Better go back to Tunja! very far, bad road.. long long way"... great.
The nice road on our GPS map turned out to be nothing but a bad dirt road. Way to too far to go back, we decided to go for the adventure and continue along the mysterious road, highway 64.
Luckily Bianca noticed the little sign on the side of the road, Onzaga - from now on the road turned to dirt. We were way to far to go back to Tunja. We didn't know if the road would be open all the way to SanGil. Continuing along, we started riding down a twisty mountain pass until arriving in Onzaga. Nothing but a few homes in the middle of nowhere. I stopped to ask
some old folks outside their home if the road to San Gil was open. They told us it was but in very bad shape. Looking at my loaded bike with my surfboard strapped on the side. They told us to be careful. We thanked them and rode off into the unknown...
The road continued in a deep valley surrounded by green lush high mountains. It was spectacular. We had to cross several rivers, one being over a foot deep with strong current. We kept our fingers crossed not to get any surprises with a landslide or higher rivers to put a dead end to our path. The sun was getting low and the riding was slow. We felt in a place were no tourist should be and not a place to break down!
We had no idea how much longer the road was. We were totally alone on this remote road in the middle of Colombia. It was getting darker by the minute and we really needed to get to San Gil soon. Not a good place to ride in the dark.
Finally, after nearly 90kms of dirt, rocky road, it turned into asphalt, relieved to ride a good road again and out of the boonies... a sign came up, SanGil - 20kms. It was now pitch dark, but at least the bad part was behind.
Bianca and I smilled, our asses were sore and we just wanted to get there and find a hostel for a warm shower and meal.
Our detour turned out to be amazing and sure not on the tourist map! We safely made it to SanGil, found a good hostel for the night. We sat back sipping on a cold beer, thinking about the crazy road, the luck we had to get out of it safely. No breakdowns, no worries... Getting lost sometimes bring you to amazing places... This was one of them.
Pure adventure in the middle of the Colombian mountains.

Off we go into the unknown...

one of several rivers we had to cross.

Twisty mountain pass - not a place to be in heavy rain.

Colombian wildlife...

watch out for cows!

Personal backseat photographer... Bianca in action.

Surf on wheels, challenging on bad dirt roads!

Sun getting low, time to get out of here...

Sweet tooth - Finca de Panela, Yolombo

2011-06-21T11:33:00.000-07:00

A day I'll never forget.

2011-06-02T19:20:00.000-07:00

El Penol...

Welcome to slab climbing. My friend Halber on his route, Motoman,5.11c.

Climbing artificial holds on steep granite.

Me on a sand bag 5.11

One of my last shot taken on my D300 before it was gone.

It was a bright morning as the sun warmed up the air burning the thick blanket of fog that hung over the lakes. El Peñol is standing in the perfect light. I really wanted to climb another route, but it was time to hit the road back to Bogota. My friend Mikey was arriving tomorrow for a couple months of climbing.
Uncertain of what highway would be open. Thinking that last night’s heavy rain could have caused problems on the road, the plan was for an early start.
La Niña has hit Colombia this winter with extremely heavy rains, major landslides and collapsed bridges shut down many roads throughout the country.
We locked up our nice little house and made our way along the scenic twisty road back to Rio Negro to bring the house keys back to our friend Andrés (Thank you Andrés!)
While trying to find our way to the center part of Rio Negro, a lack of signs got us lost, making detours. Frustrated as we were wasting time riding around trying to find our way. Finally we found our friend’s house, left the keys and started to make our way east under the warm sun, leading to a day that I will never forget…

The sun keeps us warm as we ride along a nice scenic highway , 100 kms towards the Magdalena Valley.
It’s noon, perfect, as I look at the time. We see a sign - 200kms Bogota – Great! We’ll get there before sunset. Our plan was to take another road from the Magdalena River. (The biggest and most important river of Colombia).
Cross over to Chiquinquirá, which would eventually take us near our home in Suesca, thus avoiding going through the city of Bogota – congested with heavy traffic and thick exhaust fumes to choke you to death.
At the junction, Bogota – Cartagena – Medellin - we rode north some 15kms to where we thought the turn-off was. As we approached the intersection, we asked a couple of locals about the state of the road. They all said that there was a huge chunk of the road that is unpaved and that it would take us about 5 hours just to reach the town before Chiquinquirá. We were quite confused because when we had checked the road in Google Maps, it looked as if it was a big, main highway; it didn’t make sense now that it was just a dirt road in some parts as the locals claimed. However, we were not willing to risk wasting any more time going through bad roads; so we made a quick decision and went back on our tracks to get back on the road to Bogota that passes through Honda and then we would have to make a ( not sure how long)detour to Gambao, because the road between Honda and Caldas was closed. Part of the highway was missing because of a landslide last month.

In the meantime, something seemed to be wrong with the bike. It was as if my DR had eaten something really bad and had a chronic case of indigestion, for once in a while she would start farting loudly (backfires) and I had to reduce my speed. At some point, I even stopped to change a spark plug; but she kept farting up backfires. Even the military boys along the road were scared when I downshifted gears approaching checkpoints.

We found a perfect pullout to take a break, drink some water, take a P and cool down the bike. 15 minutes later, we got back on the road for another 60 kms before stopping at a Mobil gas station to fuel up.
That’s were everything went wrong…

It was hot and I was thirsty, so I walked over the mini store to get a cold drink. From then on, my memory is blank as to what exactly happened. I’m not even sure if I recall taking off my camera bag from around my neck and placing it on the counter while the lady was getting me a coca cola from the cooler. I noticed there were smaller bottles so I asked her to change it for a smaller one. Bianca was at the pump waiting for the guy to finish fueling up. The lady hands me the bottle of Coca Cola, as I walked over to get money from Bianca, she wanted to get water, so she then walked over the counter to buy water and pay my drink. Meanwhile, I’m chatting with the pump guy who just finished fueling my bike. Bianca comes back with her water while I checked the oil. “ I need oil “ I said, so I grabbed a litter off the rack, and added the oil. The pump dude is gone, so I chase him around to pay the oil. The heat of the day makes sweat run down our backs. “Let’s get the hell out of here” I say. We jumped back in the saddle, and not even 300 meters on the highway, I realized I’m missing my camera bag. I just know it. I‘ve been riding 3 years with my camera around my neck, instantly I feel it. But this time I didn’t… As I screamed out loud “ My fuck’n camera” where is my camera? I turn around without even looking if a car was coming the other way, just an instant reaction. I race back to the gas station. We take a quick look around, nothing… adrenaline is rushing through my body. I don’t know what to think, I feel a dark hole, blank, where is it?! Where did I leave it?! Did I leave it where I took a piss??? Some 60 kms north?!
So we raced back north, Bianca gripping on tight as panic and stress rule my body, the engine is running at its max… I run my bike nearly in the red line, I don’t give a shit, I just go as fast as I can. Then DR decides to backfire and the engine dies. I’m going a little crazy, I just lost my $4000 camera, plus my bike is fucking up. We stop on the side of the highway after my bike stalls. I’m frustrated like a motherfucker, I throw my helmet to the ground, Bianca is also freaking out because I’m freaking out. She hands me back my helmet with a now broken visor. We get back on the road and my the visor catches in the wind so I ripped it off, swearing with all my lungs… “FAWK!!!”
I’m in a panic attack mode. If my bike could do 200, I would have ridden it at 220…
We get to the spot we had stopped for a piss. A taxi had just entered the gate that led to a finca down a dirt road. “I screamed at the taxi to stop, Bianca runs over to talk to a couple of guys in the car. “Look inside the fuck’n car! Everywhere” I yelled out loud.
The guys offered her to look everywhere, - Nothing – We jump back on the bike. The fuck’n thing continues to run like shit. I’m in no mood for a fucked up bike. I kept swearing all the way back to the gas station. “It’s there, at the station, we’ll find it! “ Bianca says, as she tries to calm me down. No sweet words work, I just can’t calm down. We finally arrive at the Mobil station. The same people sitting around looked at us stunned. We asked around if anyone had seen a grey bag. They looked puzzled, or someone just knew they had just scored a 3 years salary! I looked behind the counter, and still no one says anything. Wherever I had left my bag, it was gone in a flash. Did I leave it on the counter while getting my Coca Cola? But Bianca went to get water and she never saw it then at the counter. Did it disappear between the time I walked to her to get money and she walked to get her water?
It’s all a big mystery. My camera never re- appeared. I knew that someone had seen it, one of the guys sitting on his ass in the shade, the same guys had been there all the time from when we fueled until now. Also the same handicapped girl who couldn’t speak and was begging me for my Coca Cola, was it her? Did she grab it while I turned my back around to get cash from Bianca? . I was ready to punch every fuck’n local looking at me.

My questions will never be answered. It’s just,… GONE
We got back on the bike and rode on towards Bogota. My mind was blank. I had just lost the most valuable piece of equipment I own. It felt as if my career was over. I had no more camera to record my travel memories and do my work. I didn’t know what to think. As we rode on south, my bike was getting worse and worse, making me more and more frustrated. I was ready to throw it on the side of the road and walk. Going too crazy to even cry about my camera. I took all my aggression out on my poor bike. Punching the gas tank as it ran like shit.

We arrived at a checkpoint were the road split to Honda – Bogota and towards Gamboa. We asked the police officer which way to go and he just pointed down the road. So off we went on… It was now getting late, 4pm. We started to head up over the mountain pass. Bogota is surrounded by high Andes Mountains, daylight was short and we didn’t know how much longer to Bogota.
Eventually a sign appears, “ Bogota – 91 kms! “ I’m tired, stressed, my shoulders are stiff as hell, form all the tension, it’s starting to get cold and my bike is still acting up.
90 kms on this road meant nearly 3 hours. As we rode up the twisty curves with the most incredible scenery over the Magdalena river.
The sun was setting low; it was a picture perfect landscape. As we climbed elevation the air got damp and colder. I was in no picture mind state to stop. We kept our fingers crossed not to get caught in deep fog or heavy rain as we kept gaining elevation above 3500 meter.
Eventually we see another sign. - Bogota – 40 km.
As we start making our way down the mountains and could see the city lights. It’s now 7pm as we approach the city, busses and trucks are flying by me. No more helmet visor, I can’t see shit. My eyes are burning from all the exhaust fumes. I make a quick pullout nearly killing another motorcyclist in process. We stopped to eat an overpriced shity burger & fries. I needed some time to calm down.
Now we needed to think if we wanted to stay in Bogota to pick up my friend Mike the next morning or drive to our home in Suesca. - 40 kms away.
We were beat, we couldn’t think. Our brains were toast from our long day. We had been riding since 8am, 11 hours in the saddle. We had enough, so we rode towards the airport hoping to find an affordable accommodation for the night. As we got closer to the airport, I noticed a 5 stars * Motel El Dorado “ we stopped to check it out, turned out to be a per/hour love motel.
A man walked towards us wearing a nice suite a bow tie.
Bianca asked how much was a room for the night. The guy looked at us surprised with a grin on his face. “ Todo Noche!” all night?…
“Si Senoir”
All we could think about was hot shower and bed. The guy had no Idea what kind of day we just went threw. His mind was somewhere else in his love motel.
I rolled my bike in our private garage. Then we took turns at using as much hot water possible to clean off the black grim off our faces.
Completely drained. I couldn’t stop thinking about my dam camera. Where was it? Is someone nice going to email me and say they found it?
Is someone playing with it as I think about it - Looking threw the 50 so killer photos of El Peñol on my memory card?
Did I leave it where I took a piss? Was it on the counter where I bought my drink? Did the handicap girl who couldn’t speak and made gestures at me to give her my cold drink took it?
Thoughts kept occupying my mind.
I needed rest. I also needed to let go my thoughts about my camera.
It was gone. We were now 250 km from where I had left it.

Tomorrow my friend Mike is coming. Without a camera, the only thing left to do is climb…

After a bad night sleep from camera nightmares, we were up early. Mike had told us he was arriving at 10:30 am. It was only 9 but needed to check out from this Love shack.
We packed the bike and headed towards the airport to see if we could find a place to drink a decent coffee, not that Colombian Nescafe crap that people love to drink.
“ It’s faster to make”, a man once told me. I also needed to go to the DIAN office to extend my temporary bike permit. It turned out the DIAN office was near the airport and there also was a Dunkin Donut in the same building.
Bianca waited at the Donut place while I went to see about my papers.
I was sent five times to different people, from one desk to another and another. When finally getting to the last guy, he told me to go make photocopies and come back. I wasn’t in the mood for running around, my stomach was growling, I was still tired from yesterday so I went back to see Bianca. “What??” she asked as I walked in all pissy, “well, not much help, they made me go around the building from one person to the other, so fuck this “ I said. I’m not in the mood to deal with stupid official paperwork bullshit.

It was now 10:30. We rode to the airport to see if Mike’s plane had arrive. There was nothing coming in from the USA, it was now 11:30, we decided to go back to Dunkin Donuts to see if we could get WIFI internet to check Mike’s schedule. I had a feeling he was arriving at 1pm, but 2 days before when I last spoke with him, he had told me 10:30 am.
I checked my email and there it was, 1:03 pm arrival time! I knew it.
He had given me his departure time form Miami. - Bastard!
Now what? It’s early. Might as well deal with the bike stuff.
We went back to DIAN to fill in the million forms and get my photocopies. Back at the office, a man takes my papers and tells me it all will be sent to the office downtown, and to come back to pick them up on Monday.
Great! Another city trip… After all, they made me run around to five different agents just to tell me this! – Monday!
With more time to kill, I remembered a mechanic shop not far from the airport I had been to in 2009 when I arrived in Colombia from Panama.

The lady recognized me right away. I was impressed, 2 years later. She remembered my bike full of stickers. I chatted with her about my trip while I waited to get a new visor for my helmet.
We had killed plenty of time and now it was 1 pm. Let’s go get Mike so we can get out of this city and go home.

I met Mike in 2004 on a climbing trip in El Potrero Chico Mexico.
One morning, my friend Jamie and I were sitting outside in the sun at one of the campgrounds, drinking Mate .
Mike walks over with his long dreads, the perfect *hippy / climber * look. “Who‘s this dude” my friend Jamie says.
He sits down with us.
Introduces himself, “I’m Michael, but you just call me Mike, or even better, here in Mexico – Miquel. OK”
He looks at my Mate bowl.
“What the Fuck are you drinking amigo?”
“ Yerba Mate” try it! … “hen hen, not for me man”
the only Yerba I do is smoke it!” hahahahaha
Everyone laughs as the climbing conversation continued.
Mike has a funny sense of humor and loves to be part of the conversation.
He came to Mexico, alone to climb several months. He interrupts in the conversation when someone mentions multi - pitch.
“Ya man.” Big walls, getting high, it’s what its all about man.
El cap is the shit! “
He’d been around the climbing community for years, living in Yosemite base camp summer after summer climbing big walls.
As he continued mumbling about big wall climbing, we were ready to go climbing ourselves. –“ Let’s go climbing” I said.
Mike had no partner, so he asked if he could join us.

Walking towards the canyon, a beat up stray dog starts to follow us.
“ If I had my 22 shot gun, I’de shoot the poor fucker out of his misery” Mike says. Jamie and I looked at each other.
“Haaa, Just kidding man” Mike loved dogs…
Meanwhile we’re thinking what kind of crazy fucker are we going to climb with.
Mike goes on about his guns back home.
Eventually, the subject changed to climbing.

My friend Jamie and I moved in at Homero’s palapa. A nice little wood home I’de stayed in several years back. It was the perfect set up.
Mike moved his tent next to our little home and became climbing partners. I would yell out every morning, “Mr. Toki! Coffee is ready.”
Morning coffee and safety meeting about the climbing plans was our ritual.

We spent 2 months climbing in El Potrero Chico. Jamie, Mike and I had become a good climbing team. Everyday we had a new project.
On a cold day sipping coffee in the Palapa, a conversation about Thailand started. Jamie and I had met in Thailand the previous year.
Going off about the good food, amazing climbing over warm ocean, bikinis, cheap living, just a pure paradise of a place.
“ I’m going to Thailand! Sounds way too good.” As Mike gets himself excited.
Ya man, you should go! You’ll love it”, I told him. “I might be going too, I love it there!”

A couple months later, I ended up going toThailand myself for a few months of paradise tropic climbing. One day sitting at a restaurant at the beach. I noticed a long tail boat coming to shore. Standing in front, a long dread hippy dude in bright green Patagonia shorts. It was Mike. I couldn’t believe it. He was wearing the same shorts I’d given him in Potrero.
“ Ohly Fuck!” As I walk towards the boat. “Mike! What the fuck are you doing here!” I said.
“Al! Ohly shit man, what are you doing here?” –“
“Same as you I guess, climbing.”
“I told you I was coming to Thailand man, what did you expect AL.”
We give each a big hug then helped him with his huge duffle bag to find a bungalow.
We laughed at how funny the coincidence was to meet again, this time in Thailand. We shared a few “Chang “ beers bringing back memories of our few months in Potrero just a couple months back.

We spent a month climbing together in Thailand. Then Mike went off to China to explore a new climbing area.
It was the last time we saw each other. But we kept in contact regularly over the years. Chatting about climbing killer climbing destinations. “We should meet again soon.”
I invited him to meet me in Bariloche Argentina to climb in January 2010.
The timing wasn’t good for Mike, he had other plans. Another year past by, I was now in Colombia.
Mike was in Potrero Chico again this year for several months. I told him to come check out Colombia, world class climbing. I showed him some photos I had taken in La Mojarra and Suesca. He was sold!
Next email I got was a flight schedual;
“Al, I booked my flight, I’m coming to Colombia! May 18th - You better pick me up at the airport and not with your bike! I have too much shit
I’m spyked, climb 5.13, see you soon.
Peace, dread out.

A crowd of young teenagers gathered at the exit gate waiting for some celebrity star signer to arrive. The crowd kept screaming at anyone coming out. I thought it would be a great joke and tell Mike I had all these young girls waiting to greet him – Welcome to Colombia Mike.

I finally see long dreads with 2 huge duffle bags at the X- ray machine.
I told Bianca. “You can’t miss him.” As he comes out the gate, I see him looking around for me. Bumping people with his big yellow duffle. “Mike” I yelled. “Al, I’m glad you’re hear, good to see you”
We give each other a big hug, introduce him to Bianca and quickly organize a taxi to take him and his huge bags to Suesca.

“Wow man, you did good AL, how the hell did you find this house!” He says as he drops his bags in his new room.
“Luck man, you know me”… work my magic.

I cracked open a cold Club Colombia beer, Mike refused to have a cold beer. “ I haven’t had a single drink in 6 months man.” This year I’m climbing 5.13, bro, getting in shape, it’s all about climbing”

Mike stands outside on the balcony admiring the views of Suesca crag down below as the sun sets over the horizon. “ This place is sweet bro.” I hand him the climbing guidebook. “check it out, we have a busy couple weeks coming up!”

Bianca prepared us a feast while Mike helped her cutting veggies, practicing his Spanish with Bianca. He was excited to be in Colombia.
“My dad is from Ecuador” telling Bianca, I need to go there one day.

We eat a wonderful meal, watched a movie and called it an early night.
“Get some rest, climbing day tomorrow” I said

We woke up to a rainy morning, as I prepared coffee, Mike is lying in his massive minus 30 down bag.
“ No rush getting up, it’s pissing out.” I hand him a cup of coffee.
“Organic Colombian shit.”

Later in the day, the sun came out. “ Vamos” I said,” lets see if Valle de Los Halcones is dry, It’ a nice short walk.
“Whatever Bro, I’m in.”
We spent the afternoon climbing wet 5.11 that felt more like 5.12
Bianca and I couldn’t help but laugh as Mike screamed his way up at every move he made.

After several climbs, we walked back home and cooked another good meal.
It was great to catch up after so many years. Shared stories of places he had been, like China and new spots in Mexico.
As I prepare a fire, I hear Mike chatting with Bianca about guns he had back home. Bianca gives me the weird look. I couldn’t help but laugh.
Mike always loved to talk about his guns or his Harley Davidson.
He joked about joining F.A.R.K in Colombia to fight for the revolution. We thought he would fit right in. – He even posted something on his facebook wall.

The next day was perfect, warm and sunny. We drank coffee while planning our climbing day. “Let’s walk to the crag below. “ I mentioned.
“Sure man, whatever AL” I’ll climb anywhere.
We walk down to the river where we cross a bridge to the crag. The bridge was gone due to the high floods a week ago. A bit late to walk all the way around. “Let’s go back to Valle de los Halcones, it’s near, we can go this way” – “whatever Al”
Mike had his big wall bag, heavy as shit. “What the hell do you have in there Mike?”
“You know, climbing shit, training man” he says while huffing and puffing his way uphill at nearly 3000 meter elevation.
“The altitude will train you my friend”, I said. “ You want me to take your bag?”
“Fuck you Al, I carry my own shit”
Arriving on top of the hill, we hear someone on a loud microphone.
“What the hell is going on up here?”
Hundreds of people were forming a straight line holding hands. They were shooting a Coca Cola commercial.
“ I want to be in the commercial” Mike says.
“ You fit right in man with your red t shirt, go join them” I told him.

We needed to walk across the field where everyone was to get to the climbing. Then we hear out loud through the microphone. (in Spanish)
“You with the red t-shirt, please move out of the way!”
Bianca and I just laughed. “ Mike, he’s talking to you”
“Well he can just suck my B…” I’m not moving.
Again we hear,” Por favor” asking us to move out of the way.

We manage to get to the crag. Mike was beat from logging around his massive wall bag.
“I’m not climbing Al” he tells me as he drops his bag to the ground.
Two kids arrive, “ No escalar aqui, esta privado – por favor”
“ What!” Mike says “I just haled my heavy bag here and now we can’t climb”
The two kids told us we could climb a little higher outside the property.
So we walked up a little more to the same place we had climbed the previous day. More climbs were dried, so we climbed new routes.

“ Here man, this one is for you,” I told Mike. Good onsight.
Mike ropes up and starts screaming at the moves, loud enough that the crowd below could hear him.
The microphone guy is giving direction to the crowd, repeating over and over orders to the big crowd in a straight line.
Meanwhile Mike is up on the wall, screaming at them to shut up.
“ I’m climbing here! I need concentration” We couldn’t help but laughing as Mike made his way up the wall.
“ Shut the fuck up you motherfuckers, can’t you see I’m climbing here!”
He just went on until he got to the top of the climb.

After several climbs, we called it the day. Mostly tired from our long walk.
Mike wanted to cook us a good egg omelet that night. We needed groceries so I told him to go with my bike.
“ You know how to ride don’t you?” I asked
“ Fuck you Al, don’t you know I have a Harley back home.”
“But this is not a Harley! It’s a DR!” laughing with him.
“Well to tell you the truth, I’m a bit nervous. I haven’t ridden a dirtbike in a while.”
I give him the keys, he managed to get on the bike without tipping it over.
“It’s a bit tall “he says
He takes off nearly crashing in our muddy driveway.

20 minutes later I could hear my bike coming up the hill. He walks in the house.
“So?” I asked
“So what?”
“How do you like my bike?”
“It’s good man, fun ride.”
“ You have the key?” I asked him. “ Oh sorry man, I left them on the bike.”
I walk over to my bike. The right side handle bar is covered with mud.
“Did you crash or what?” I asked
“ Oh, well, ya, I kind of lost balance in the mud there and dropped your bike. Sorry man.”
It was too funny not to laugh.

I offered him a glass of red wine.
“Comon man” we need to celebrate our meeting and climbing again.
But he still refused to have a drink.

The next day, Mike wanted to go to Bogota to see a soccer game. He was always a fan of live soccer games if he could see one. The taxi driver that brought him to Suesca had told him about a good game on Sunday.

Couple rest days won’t hurt. I gave him a lift to town with my bike so he could catch a bus to the city early Saturday afternoon.

“Ok bro, see you Monday for some climbing” he told me.
Those were the last words I heard from him.

Sunday, Bianca and I went bouldering with some friends. That night we checked emails and had no news from Mike. I sent him a message that we were heading to the city to get my bike paperwork. And told him where we would leave the key.
The next morning, Monday, we rode to the city and got back to Suesca around 6pm.
“I’m surprised Mike isn’t back” I told Bianca.
“ I guess he likes Bogota, or maybe he met a cute girl at the hostel???”
I was kind of worried, as it’s not for Mike to say he will be back Monday and he’s not back.
“ Don’t worry” Bianca said. “ He’s a big boy, I’m sure he can take care of himself”
The next day, the sun was out, still no Mike so Bianca and I went climbing.
“ Where’s Mike man, he’s missing a killer climbing day here!” I said

That same night, after we got home. I check my emails and got a message from his friend Sabina from New York.
“ Alain, the embassy just called his mom to say they found
Mike’s body at the hostel in Bogota”

I was speechless, my jaw dropped. “Bianca, read this! “ Am I reading this right?”
We were completely shocked at the same time in some sort of panic.
I checked on Mike’s facebook profile. His mom Elizabeth had put a note on his wall that Mike was found dead in Bogota.
We just couldn’t believe it. This couldn’t be true! Mike was coming back to climb!

I emailed his mom Elizabeth, she soon replied telling me the sad news.

The next day we received a call from the US embassy.
They told us Mike’s body was found in the bathroom at the hostel on Sunday, May 22nd at around 7am. The cause of his death was still unknown and under investigation.

We didn’t know what to think? It’ was hard to believe. A few days ago we were just climbing with him. He looked in good shape. We just couldn’t believe it…
Mike can’t be gone? He just got here!

A few days later we met with the US embassy to find out more info and identify his body. We also went to the hostel to get as much information as we could from the staff.
We spoke with the guy that found Mike in the morning.
He checked in the hostel around 6pm.
“Mike seemed like a cool guy”, he said.
“He mentioned to me he was climbing in Suesca”
He came to the bar at around 1:30 am, chatting with the girl working behind the bar. He complained about a having a bit of a headache. Thinking maybe he had altitude sickness from the high elevation in Bogota. The bartender offered Mike a beer. He refused, drinking only fizzy water.
He then went back to his room, staying in a dorm. He couldn’t sleep, so he went back to the bar before he went in the bathroom at around 2:30 – 3am. The night shift guy noticed him going in the bathroom, but never thought about anything of it. The next morning, someone wanting to use the bathroom mentioned to the staff that the door was locked. Staff went about to see. He could see inside the colored window a body shape, knocked on the door and no answer. He then broke down the lock to get in. Mike was there, on his knees.
“Miguel, Miguel” the guy called his name. Giving him a little push thinking he fell asleep. His body was cold. There was no reply. Mike was not waking up.
Mike had left us.

We will miss him forever. - Mike Bohorquez 11/23/1966 - 5/22/2011

As of now, everything is still under investigation. No information was given to us about his death from the police. But believe it was a natural cause. More info will be posted as we hear more.

Bianca chefs it up.

Back side view of my mini tomato sandwich.

Pretty cozy place.

La casa in Suesca. My new home for a while.

The Suesca cliff.

Valle de Los Halcones.

Mike pulling down...

Mike's last climb in Valle de Los Halcones, Suesca Colombia, May 20th, 2011.

These are few words from MIke's good friend Ulric Rousseau from Montreal, Canada...
you can also visit his blog @ www.ulricrousseau.blogspot.com

It never occurred to me that I would one day have to write an obituary. Then, on the morning of May 25th, the clock coming close to 6am, my ears heard the worse words come through the cellular connection of my mobile phone. My best friend; confidante, my shinning star amongst all wrong and wild things on this earth, was gone.
Mike Bohorquez was born in Newfoundland, Canada, on November 23rd, 1966. He studied at private schools and universities across the Americas and toured with the Grateful Dead, until climbing came to play a rampart part in turning him into the outgoing and amazing person he never failed to be. His body was found in a hotel room in Bogota, Columbia, on May 22th 2011.
Mike lived his life at the utmost pase. He drove his Harley, or 56 panhead hardtail, as he repeatedly corrected me, all over the Colorado highways. When asked about where he lived, he always replied, ‘’from here, for now. ‘’ His mailing address was stamped on his Metolius haul bags, which he used to travel, and to climb the walls of El Cap, to which, if he had a home, it would be. He spoke of his life as if it had no beginning and no end. He spoke with purity and laughter and spent his days trying his best.
What I remember the most about Mike was his girly screams falling from the anchors of his current projects and his headphones gushing out loud metal music camouflaged in his blonde dreads, which he would never cut. We would sit on the main street in the village of Cienega, waiting for the sun to hit us every morning, he with his coffee, imported and the most expensive money could buy. He took great pleasure in brewing his cups in the morning, and if anyone had a routine, that was his.
No amount of free gear was good enough for Mike, and in the past few years he had convinced Evolv, Bluewater and Metolius to put him on their grassroots team. This, above all else, gave Mike a motivation and drive to excel at his sport.

He spent his life living, and, for the most part, making sure we all remembered to do so as well. He was always looking out for his friends. He was always there. Mike always reminded me, that if I ever needed anyone taken out, hacked to pieces and made to disappear, he would do it. Mike loved his weapons, and was always close to his knives. He spoke about his guns as Shakespeare would about love. Never a day would go buy should we not hear something about him shooting off rounds in the dessert of Colorado.
We parted ways a few days into March of 2011, he went south and I, north. Plans to go to china in Oct. We both went our way, towards what we gravitate too. Mike had plans to travel for an undetermined amount of time. Our next meeting will now have to wait, just a little bit longer.

Here I am now, sitting on the floor of my apt, writing this for you. I have lost many friends over the past few years, but you are the one who will be sorely missed. I hope you Watch over me, us, with great wide eyes. May we make you proud. Maybe you take my dog for walks, where you both are, and may you never forget, that we will never stop remembering you, in our daily chores, activities and lives. You surround us, and bring us the strength and knowledge to forge on ahead, even though sometimes, we no not where we go.
Ulric Rousseau
www.ulricrousseau.blogspot.com

In loving memeory of Mike Bohorquez

On the country side to Salento, Valle Cocora

2011-05-10T08:35:00.000-07:00

El Nina has been slapping Colombia hard, major floods in many part of the country, highways closed from landslides, heavy rain in Bogota area.... Suesca was wet, cold, so no climbing was getting done. It was time to change up the scenery and move west...
where the rain actually came from, Medellin... The only way there - only open road - was the *Linea* A twisty high elevation road from Ibaque to Armenia, the coffee zone. I had ridden that road 2 years ago when first arriving in South America, It was "deja vue" Reminded me of the smelly trucks and busses. It seemed worse 2 years ago, but I guess after over 50 000 kms in South America, smelly trucks, busses, cold, wet, curves, crazy, traffic, up, down, fast, slow, coffee stops.... it was all the same, just another beautiful road in the Andes of Colombia....

Time to leave Suesca, a flooded house from the overflowing river near the climbing of Suesca.

Not a landslide, but just another crazy truck driver along the road.

The journey from Suesca took nearly 10 hours to finally get in the peaceful valle of Cocora, near the little charming town of Salento. No more big trucks and stinky busses, just willy jeeps along dusty dirt roads.

Fresh coffee - Fresh milk!

Out here, people use more horses then cars, thank God!

Colorful homes of Salento.

the # 1 jeep of Colombia... will take you everywhere.

roadside discussions

Local Gauchos of Salento (cowboys)

Classic cars.

Salento

The puppet show.

Main street Salento.

Funny to say, but good coffee is not so easy to find in Colombia, as most hi quality coffee is exported.
But when you do find the perfect cappuccinos, wow... yummiii...
Just don't be surprised to see Nescafe all over! It should be a crime to have in Colombia!

The Cocora valley is the valley of the upper reaches of the Quindío River, the principal river of the department of Quindío, located at an altitude between 1800 and 2400 meters.

"Cocora" was the name of a Quimbayan princess, daughter of the local chief Acaime, and means "star of water".

There are more than 3000 species of palms. Most of them grow in the tropics. They like the hot climate. However, some, like the Wax Palm, grow at higher altitudes, where the temperature is much cooler.
The Wax Palm is the tallest palm tree in the world and can reach a height of up to 70 m. It has several unequaled characteristics.

Church in the main plaza of Filandia, another charming town in the coffee zone.

Bogota

2011-04-22T14:35:00.000-07:00

For the past 2 weeks I've put away the climbing shoes and camera to get some computer work cappuccino drinking and editing done.
It's been wet and rainy in Bogota. Once in a while sun will peak out, telling me I should be heading back to the rock...
soon,
Little excursion to the Botanical garden in the city to get fresh air ... and a few shots.

Enjoy a walk threw nature,

Climbing Suesca....

2011-04-14T11:18:00.000-07:00

Bienvenidos ... Colombia's mega climbing spot, ..... Suesca Roca

My plan wasn't coming to Suesca! i was supposed to hit the coast to warm surf and beach...
Here I am, 3 weeks later, climbing and chilly cold nights in Suesca. Sandbag cracks and runout sporty routes,
Over 500 plus routes, more then handful of boulders, chill vibe. Slow internet, forcing my time to shoot and
climb. The only question? Who knows how long I'll be here. I barely scratched the surface of this rock paradise...

Welcome to Casa de Floro,

Vivi.s little home.

Santi getting racked up for another day in Suesca.

Chilling out under the stars of Suesca.

Down the tracks with Virgen de Rocas sitting above the giant white roof protecting the cliffs of Suesca.

Plenty of rock, over 3 km.

Vivi bouldering above Suesca.

Vivi Gomez climbing El Gran Diedro 5.11c Not many female have the gut to lead this long sustained corner crack, finnish with a killer roof traverse.

Crimpy crimpy Santi.

Santiago Contreras on a spicy 5.11d. He linked the 1st 10a pitch crack with the 11d nd pitch, making it over 50 meter climb.

Vivi Gomez climbing High Tech, 5.13d

Santiago Contreras on High Tech - 5.13d

Vivi climbing Paisanisate, 5.12a (hard)

Juan Santiago Vieco climbing, Techo de la abeja 5.10c

Out from the shadow, Vivi climbing Paisanisate, 5.12a

Vivi getting air miles for another rock trip.

Juan Santiago Vieco climbing, Techo arecho 5.11

Viviana Gomez Vega climbing El ocaso de los idolos 5.12d.

weekend getaway to Villa de Leyva

2011-04-12T17:46:00.001-07:00

Road trip....

beautiful colombian scenic highway.

Villa de Leyva

Little princess and her doggy having a stroll

What you looking at?

Market is that way.....

Weekend market in Villa de Leyva

Fresh cheap oranges

Beer on the job? no way! not in Colombia!

Plaza Centro of Villa de Leyva.

Local in Villa de Leyva.

You don't realize some dangers of the roads until you look back at it.

Local transport.

Farm home along the road.

Climbing at La Mojarra Santander Colombiaaaaaaa

2011-03-15T10:37:00.000-07:00

Vamos escalar! pilot Chami and co pilot Edgar with Simon the wonder dog head up to la Mesa de Los Santos

I never had a bird scream at me while taking a photo! This one went crazy.

Tobacco farmer along the road.

Sebastian on a warm up route.

Giovanny ( Chami) Mateus Duarte climbing a sweet 5.11c

No rocks at base camp, so might as well train on trees.

Chami, bouldering session at la Mesa.

More along the road...

I was thinking of getting a lottery ticket from him...

Beers are empty, easy.. let's go get more...

Chami collecting his air miles.

One of the best 5.11

Sebastian reaching for the better hold!

Another cold beer.

Sebastian overlooking one of the climbing wall.

Locals of La Mojarra.

Spanish man Carlos.

Cold water, but killer outdoor shower at Hostal Sol de La Mojarra.

Not a bad view from the toilet window!

Sunshine Caliche

Beautiful flower of La Mojarra.

Gris the cat...

Simon the dog...

More cold beers at La tienda.

Elena has everything you need in her little store.

Cheers!

Caliche pulling down on another steep roof climb.

Ana practicing a little sunset yoga to finish the day.

Eva on a sweet 5.11

Caliche on a 5.11c

Sebastian on a long reach.

Caliche on more steep stuff.

Yap, Ana is a little flexible.

Safety first....

Edgar, morning yoga session at La Mojarra

Church in Los Santos.

Along the road to Los Santos

Canyon Chicamocha near Los Santos.

Yummi cake at the bakery.

Chef Sebastian cooking us another great meal in La Mojarra.

Really is time for new shoes now!

No worries, Simon will guard your room.

Sebastian topping of another problem.

Edgar Vag sunset bouldering at La Mesa de Los Santos.

Kids of Santander, Colombia.

Sebastian Herrera bouldering at sunset.

Waterfall Del Duende - Mesa de Los Santos

2011-03-14T06:42:00.000-07:00

While riding up to the climbing are of La Mojarra in La Mesa de Los Santos, my friends Edgar and Chami took me along a 6 km dirt road to eventually get to this.....

Beautiful waterfall over 100 meters.

Goodbye Venezuela... Welcome to Colombia

2011-02-28T09:03:00.000-08:00

My visa was expiring feb 15. I wanted to spend the weekend in Merida and leave monday. On Sunday - day before Valentine day, my dear lovely bike decided to give me grief. She didn't start... Not sure at all of the problem, I tried all my mechanic tricks but still no luck. I had no idea what the problem could be. Maybe another valve? It had no compression to start. Being Sunday, I couldn't do much but leave it until tomorrow.
Monday - I spent all day looking for a mechanic who could come check it out. After a few visits to several shops, one guy could help but not until tomorrow tuesday. My temporary bike permit was expiring tuesday! So I was getting nervous as I knew in these countries, tuesday might mean friday....
Finally the mechanic came, tuesday like he said he would. He also couldn't diagnose the problem. So off we went to get another guy to help him bring my bike to the shop. In Latin America, mechanics know all the best tricks in the book. They left with my bike, one riding another bike while pushing my bike on neutral with his foot on the passenger foot peg! Off they went, hoping it wasn't going to someone's home instead of the shop!
Now I only needed to be patient and wait.....
The next day, my friend Maigualida started making phone calls to the aduana to find out what happens if my bike leaves the country late. - Venezuela is the only country in South America that gives you a nice big full page stamp - MOTO - so I was nervous they were very strict with temporary imports and a high fee could be applied on my exit. No luck with any of my calls, all they said was ... " Suerte" good luck! great...
After a visit to my mechanic, he diagnose the problem being my alternator brushes needed to be changed. Something to expect I guess after 80 000 km on the engine.
I gave him a few bucks to get the parts needed, " manana listo " he says. Perfect! couple days late will be fine at the border.
Manana ... still no bike! Now I was getting very nervous, time on my permit was clicking and so was my visa. Another visit to the mechanic, " Mucho proplema " he tells me! great, what now. My entire electrical system was a mess from riding in cold, hot, rain, sand, salt... wires were eaten away. So all electrical needed to be replaced. It was now friday, still no bike. And with the weekend coming up, I know it was going to go until next week. I asked him how much all would cost me, he threw me a higher then expected number. With Zero money left in my pocket,.. for the second time in Venezuela! Thanks to the wonderful banking system where no ATM machines are available for gingos. I really didn't know how I was going to pay. Trying to figure money transfers online caused more headaches and complications. There is just no easy way to get money sent to this country.
A bus ride to Cucuta Colombia to get money was out of question... 2 day mission and maybe they wouldn't let me back in because of my visa.
Now back to Monday, still no bike.... I was loosing patience with my mechanic. Every time I went to see him, nothing seemed to be done. One week later, wednesday - my bike was finally ready, all good like new. But still had no money. My friends Roxana and Maigualida had to run several times to the bank, they were able to help me out lending me cash. I went back to see my mechanic to pay him and finally get my bike...
The next day, I was on my way out towards Colombian border.

Little electrical problem in Merida.

I left Merida under a nice sunny sky. Felling relieved to be back on the road with a working bike. An hour later, heavy rain, I was soaked! Luckily it didn't last long. I needed to ride 250 km to San Cristobal. The nearest border town to Colombia were I had a friend to stay with for the night. 5 hours later, I finally arrived in San Cristobal.
I quickly found my friends house. But when I got there, he wasn't home. I waited 1/2 then he arrived with a couple other friends. Next thing you know, a full case of beer was out of the trunk. "Welcome to San Cristobal my friend!" says Gabriel, handing me a cold one. He introduces me to his buddies Jose and Rafael. After a warm shower to clean the dirt of my face, more beers were drank.
" Vamos " says Gabriel, " let's show you around San Cristobal " Off we went to drink a few more beers to another pub. Tired from my long ride and empty stomach, I was feeling a little tipsy. Hoping the night was coming to an end soon so I can go sleep.... " Vamos!!! " To another bar... shit!
So off we go. Arriving at the bar, the doorman didn't want to let me in cause i was wearing flip flops! I couldn't believe bars like this existed in Venezuela.... Gabriel did the talking, and I was in.
Next thing you know, the waiter comes over with 500 year old Bottle of Rum. - Oh boy!
More friends showed up... so did another bottle of Rum.
" Vamos!!! " oh no! I tell myself... another bar, so off we go to one of his friends bar. Gabriel hands me another beer. I was now past my bed time and wasted. I sat down drinking my beer while trying to keep straight eye watching couples swing away in Salsa groove. I only wished I knew how to swing like that! When all of a sudden, this cute little girl comes over to ask me for a Salsa dance.
Trying not to fall over or step over her feet, she soon realized I couldn't dance Salsa Shit! So I got ditched.... I went back to my seat trying not to pass out.
I don't really remember the numbers of drinks that night. But I sure remember finding myself wrapped around the toilet bowl Puking my sandwich diner. Again a few more times out the car window on our way home.
Then I remembered making more ham and cheese sandwiches with Gabriel at 4:30 am. So long for wanting to go to bed early for an early start to the Colombian border - 2 hours way.
At 10 am, Rafael woke me up asking if I wanted another beer! I was ready to throw up in his face. hangover of hell. I couldn't even make it to the shower. I looked outside the window, it's pouring rain!
Fawk! Tomorrow is the weekend.. I need to cross the border today! But I can barely stand straight. My head was pounding, but I got myself in the shower. "Cerveza???" Rafael says. No way! just the word cerveza made me feel sick! We went for lunch and by now, I was slowly recovering. Gabriel and Rafael were insisting that I stay for the weekend, " We take you to more good bars! " they told me. I had to escape, plus I was nervous about my visa issues. The rain stopped so there was my chance to go... I packed up my bags. Waved good bye to my buddies. Still with taste of Rum in my mouth, I was on my way along the zig zag road to Cucuta Colombia.

Saying goodbye to my crazy friends in San Cristobal.

San Cristobal, Venezuela. Nothing much but a drinking city!

Welcome to Colombia!!!!!!!!

I didn't know what to expected at the border, but like all borders, heavy traffic filled the streets. I prepared myself to show a photos of my bike in pieces at the shop and receipt from the mechanic incase I would get in trouble. I went to get my passport exit stamp. Paid the guy my exit fees of 76 bolivar. mmmm easy! he never noticed my nice - MOTO - stamp in my passport! So I jumped back on my bike and drove off to Colombia without exiting my bike out of Venezuela! All the stress of being worried about a big fine or late exiting my bike was nothing but a piece of cake. If I want to come back to Venezuela, well I already have my papers.

More crazy mountain roads, you can see why in rainy season the roads are quite dangerous from landslide.

back into the green mountains outside Cucuta.

The town of Pamplona nested in the green valley, North Santander.

Beautiful green farm land.

No problem.. we'll get that tree out of the way sometimes today...

One thing Colombia has ... beautiful and scenic roads!

A friendly farmer welcoming me to Colombia.

Scenic but cold part of the road at nearly 3800 meters

Finally the sun is back.

And now back in deep dense fog, wet and cold.

More crazy mountain roads

A major land slide right next to the house.

The last 20 km before Bucaramanga, very scenic above 3000 meters with views of the city.

The city of Bucaramanga.