I have always known that when you need to make an omelette you will have to break some eggs, so I knew that traveling around the world would have some sections or days that has too be done but is not part of the fun-days or “Lekker dinge” as we say in Afrikaans, my mother language. I have been dreading today the most of everything, today was breaking eggs for the omelette, I knew all along it would come and I knew it would be painful. I always hate the 1st few days and the last few days of these bike trips as it is filled with admin and searching for storage or getting the bikes going, and now, in the middle of a bike trip we have to stop the riding and go through the admin of shipping the bikes and going through agents etc. etc. etc.

But I must say that I made this more difficult for myself and the pain is mostly self-inflicted and it could have been less if I FOCUSED a bit more. As I sat on the airplane to fly to Bogota I heard Milsy say he almost forgot to put his toiletry bag in his hand luggage that we took on the plane, all our luggage and riding gear was strapped on the bike or remained in the panniers. I smiled at myself for being so pro-active and not just packing my toiletries but taking meticulous care to pack all the chargers for my computer and the computer to be able to do the blog, to pack the chargers for the Computer Mouse and my phone, plus pack my hidden cash and all the paperwork we will need, but I did not pack any change of clothes, nothing, not even an underpants, not a clean shirt. Then Rocky chirps and asked if we were clever enough to bring a jacket? A jacket? We have been sweating in sweltering heat and Rocky thinks of packing a jacket. Well turns out another conversation I missed was how high Bogota lies, 1600m, and that it was cold here.

But the good news is that we do have a little problem tonight with our accommodation, we are 6 people but we only have 4 double beds, so there will have to be some sharing, and me not having clothes might now play in my favour and a bed given to me without having to share with someone.

Today was spent standing in lines and getting our papers cleared, and stamped, and being taken to other offices and more paperwork, then the bikes had to be taken to the warehouse where they get prepared to go onto the plane.

The highlight of my day was eating these “chips” made from bananas:

Then all the agents transporting bikes brought their customers to this lady where export docs were done, she had a great personality and when she heard we did the Carnaval at Las Tablas where she was also “dancing in tight clothes” she explained she helped us so fast and with so much laughter and fun.

But at this window is also the place where people meet their double, or maybe not in appearance, but this Brazilian guy speaking to Peens is also a Paraglider like Peens and he also only works 2 months a year like Peens (he deals in Gems and only attend one big sales expo in Brazil for two months a year and then he travels around the world by bike. He passed through South Africa and stayed in Capetown for 1 month to fly. He circumnavigated Africa, so he deserves a lot of Respect:

Peens’s new Paraglider Friend’s BMW 650 GS, it is an old bike and the going is slow, and with the paraglider on there is not much space for the rider.

This rider chose to do South America on a Moto Guzzi, brave man:

With the paperwork done we went to drop off the bikes, the bikes were searched and every pannier or bag had to be opened and we had to remove all the liquids and aerosols, so tyre weld and chain lube was thrown away.

They took photos and VIN Numbers double checked.

Then came the Cling-wrap and onto a type of Pallet they put two bikes, not sure how this helps secure the bikes for the flights???

Then more bikers arrived and the bike of choice was old Suzuki 660 DR’s which they re-built and up-graded the lighting plus fitted with soft luggage.

DadAss was ready and away she was taken.

We hoped the bikes would be released on Sunday but sadly the agent in Bogota is closed and we hope that we could get them on Monday Morning, but apparently the customs in Colombia is a nightmare and we might be sitting around at different offices the whole of Monday before we can hit the road.

We were warned that everyone in Colombia will try and cheat us or scam us or help us part with our cash. We learnt this tonight already when we decided to pay an official Taxi Company and get a Van that could fit all of us, and then pre-pay at the airport for the trip. When the taxi stopped at the hotel we started walking away only to be told that the price we paid was for the luggage and not for us and we still had to pay for us. We checked this with the hotel staff who confirmed this and said we made a mistake as we took a Luggage Service and not a taxi, se the bags were paid for but we still had to pay for us. So that is how you learn and become clever.

Greetings

Tourist from Bogota