Heya all ! well now I am relaxing on the Caribbean coast of Colombia, and am just back from my first diving lesson. In another four days I will be a PADI certified open water diver! Arrived in Taganga here and saw the school, and thought why not! So Andy when I get back lets go diving.. or maybe in Buenos Aires for Christmas. But the school is great, run by two German guys. Actually spoke my first few words of German in nine years, its amazing how much of it you forget.
The rafting didn't quiet go as planned. Because of the rainy season there was so much water the rivers were unrunable. So instead i settled for caving, which turned out to be great fun. Checked into Shaun Dohertys hostel in San Gil (no prizes for guessing his origin..actually Aussie) which is great if anyone is passing through San Gil, I recommend it. The cave was interesting, nothing special compared to the ones I have been down in the Burren, but there was an amazing end to it. Had to climb down 15 foot along an iron ladder, which was in the waterfall, all the time trying to hold on against the force of the water until you reach a small 3foot square platform. From here you have to jump another 6 - 7 meters into the plunge pool below in the darkness! its harder than it sounds when the river is twice its normal size and you cant see the bottom! bit of a leap of faith. But such a great buzz. Then its a simple swim out of the cave to where the river reemerges and a hike back to the village.
The next day took the road to Santa Marta - Taganga, from San Gil 400 miles in one day, most of it twisty mountain road with absolutely amazing stunning vistas. The first section to Bucamaranga is by far the slowest, but certainly the most pretty. I traveled the road on Sunday, but it totally clogged with trucks, was happy I was on a bike, because a bus would take at least 3 hours more. Finally i arrived at dusk in Tagana after leaving at 8 am in the morning.
My first stop was for fuel and food around lunch time where I met these people electioneering, (local and state elections are next Sunday) they were all the usual questions about the bike, where you from, how fast does it go, how big is the engine, how much ? they shared their lunch with me! and then invited me to a party in the town! it was great, but then they were asking was I married, had i kissed any Colombian girls yet, that they had some friends who would love to meet me and would do "cosas muy malas!" ha ha I had to politely decline and be on my way, but not before posing for some fotos and getting a free t-shirt which i had to promise to wear, think they are the conservative party, but I cannot risk offending anyone.. so it will never be worn.
Near Santa Marta the road is pretty bad, and without warning it disappeared and I hit an almighty pothole! nearly knocked me off, and totally bend my front rim. just as well i have spokes or the wheel would of been fecked! So yesterday I stripped it down (have the fotos so will post them when I get a decent connection) removed the brake disks so i was just left with the ring, and brought it to the local bike shop. Here for $10 the guy hammered it back into shape! amazing what these guys can do. So then it was bus back to Taganga where all was reassembled and tested! So back to normal and lets keep my eye open for more pot holes! Oh Dylan / Mike tyre change was much faster only and hour off and on!! getting better! and the green washing liquid really works. Makes the tyre slide on and off around the rim much easier.
So its next few days here, then on to Cartegena to find Simon, the English dude on a KLR650.
Recent Comments