Mittelamerika
16.September Samstag 15.Oktober 2006 bis Sonntag
Guatemala Atitlan - See der schönste der Welt. Regenfahrten
Guatemala holds two surprises ready for me: The first: On Monday I had to climb over a 3670 m high pass. A test for the dreaded mountains of mine in Peru. And the second, I was well over it. Then it went down in the cold and rain (I put on my waterproof clothing and warm gloves), where I passed lines of cars, which was due to landslide with only hand control. The day ended with a fast descent with 1,000 m high difference to Panajachel on beautiful Lake Atitlán, which is referred to by some as the most beautiful lake in the world. I know not all lakes in the world, but the next day when I had to back up 800 meters and then drove two hours in this altitude, the lake and its three Volcanoes and picturesque villages at every bend from a different perspective saw, I thought to myself, this assessment could vote already, and the efforts of the increase were forgotten. To this was then a 30 km course in the valley of the Rio Madre Vieja, where it only went downhill. One of the most impressive driving day of my tour.
before leaving Guatemala or I visit a safari park behind Escuintla and can make some nice pictures of animals.
The last day begins a series of glitches, which will still continue for some time. will in pouring rain storm, I put myself under and go as I do, I'm back no more air in the tires. Das Reifenwechseln findet unter Anteilnahme dort ebenfalls wartender Jugendlicher und Erwachsener statt.
El Salvador
Ueberraschungen auch hier. Muellerfassung.
Die erste Uebernachtung an der Grenze (La Hachadura) ist die primitivste, die ich bisher hatte.
Ich kam vollkommen nass dort an und das Geld hätten sie fast einem nackten Mann unter der Dusche aus der Tasche gezogen. In fast allen Hotels in Mittelamerika wird sofort - noch vor Betreten des Zimmers - nach dem Geld verlangt, ohne Rücksicht darauf, in welchem Zustand man ist (nass, verschwitzt, vollkommen "fertig" spielt keine Rolle; man moechte sich wenigstens first-time move and clean). Maybe they have bad experiences? Here, however, it looked as if they were really dependent on my $ 10, because when I pay for a shower and then eat the same and went shopping, made himself the landlord (obviously with my $ 10) right on the road. Poverty is pervasive, though not always visible immediately.
The next morning, the day before the air exchanged hose down again. So to say raise it before the start is again another tube. And the first tube is equal to the inflation out again as leaks. I now have 4 tubes from Germany, the valve at the point in the vulcanized hose leak ripped that (poor production technology). This method of Ventileinvulkanisierung is simply crap. Even if the tubes from a reputable company ("Continental") are the talk is far from good quality.
In El Salvador there is' a surprise. In the same complex where I sleep in La Libertad in a generously furnished rooms (for the same price - $ 10 - as at the border for the "hole"), is located directly below the most advanced computer-Cafe, which I so far on my tour is met.
And another surprise: You have not yet absolutely packed, however, forced the state is very, das Muellproblem in den Griff zu bekommen. Auch das Umweltbewusstsein ist ein hoeheres als in Mexiko und Guatemala. Ich sah an einem Tag in mehreren Doerfern, wie die Einwohner den Plasteabfall vom Straßenrand aufsammelten. Ich sah Plasterfassungsstellen mit riesigen Saecken Abfall. Ich sah Muellfahrzeuge ueberall im Einsatz. Solche koordinierten Aktionen sollten Vorbild für andere mittelamerikanische Länder sein.
Honduras
Pannen. Erholung.
Die Pannenserie setzt sich fort.
Obwohl ich in Honduras nur 133 km fahre, halte I was there three days on. Breakdown shortly after the border crossing, not a hose (!) Of OK, or I repair (4 broken hoses so) can. A car takes me 25 km and drops me off outside a hotel in San Lorenzo. I've just $ 10 to exchange and tomorrow is Sunday. Again, I is the "lucky" to the side. Overnight I can talk to pay in $ and a bicycle shop, which opened on Sunday, has hoses for me, made in Thailand, with firmly screwed valve union. I buy two pieces and become rich with it. So I get the day off to be late and I'm still a little moral ground.
Actually, I just wanted lunch in the hotel restaurant to eat outside of Choluteca. It is warm, a wonderful panorama, a swimming pool , good food ........ I take a room here (for $ 18),'m recovering in the afternoon in and around the pool, enjoy the excellent cuisine.
Nicaragua
money from the machine. German Embassy.
The first 20 km after the border is a disaster from the road surface, then it gets a little better, but Nicaragua has by far the worst roads Mittal America. And then there is also the case as it had come. I have a breakdown on the first day and get my two days before disposing of the night muehevoll repaired jacket now definitively determined, But have no spare jacket more for the tires. It is again very warm and I Hangle - as in Mexico - by Cola-tap to Cola-tap, each time at least a bottle of cola drinking (it's cold, you know how it tastes and sweet - that acts like glucose). In Managua, the capital of Nicaragua, we find unexpectedly beautiful, clean restaurants to gas stations ("On the way") with excellent catering facilities and there can even take money from an ATM (24 hours a day).
And another story, almost a joke. I had a friend here in Managua (doctor) suggested working, but knew no details about his activities, so I went (I went by taxi) to the German embassy. But Reiko, his name was not known there. Two months later I received from him an e-mail. He is (!!!). in Namibia
The trip from Managua to the border with Costa Rica is really reassuring. Gently rolling green hills, lush meadows. If behind majestic volcanoes would not say in the face of the otherwise lovely landscape, thought to be transferred to Mecklenburg (!). It curls just fantastic.
Costa Rica
mechanic - national champion in cycling. "Rape"
Costa Rica, the Switzerland of Central America called, is a different world after the above countries. Clean, no waste and garbage, tidy. The people here have a different awareness. Range of goods and services typically "Western." Credit card can be used anywhere, etc. For Costa Rica, I have three days scheduled rest. I find in Jaco (an exquisite seaside resort on the Pacific) a nice, not too expensive bungalow and the most important for me here is not just a bike shop, but also an excellent mechanic was (multiple champion of Costa Rica road driving and international champions in other Central American countries, knows Jan Ullrich and Täve Schur).
But on the way to Jaco was the previous high point margins. Frueh behind a normal flat tire in the afternoon (in the pouring rain), the same front. 3 km running and .... there was a small bike shack where I was able to repair and then drive the remaining 5 km. then
When I go to a bike shop in Jaco, I come to the above mechanics, and so I decide, been here my bike umzuruesten (replacing the entire drive group) and for making the Andean mountains fit. What escaped me because: my first bathing day, I was not even on the beach, but I'm still two days). Only 28 "tires and he was not ready. On Monday, I could get. He travels on weekends to San Jose, der Hauptstadt Costa Ricas, zu einem Radsportwettbewerb und könnte mir welche mitbringen. Doch da will ich schon in Panama sein.
Die restlichen zwei Tage in Jaco hab ich genossen, war schwimmen und hab viel geschlafen. Musste am ersten Abend auf der Strasse allerdings auch eine Attacke von 3 einschlaegigen "Damen" abwehren, die mich quasi vergewaltigen wollten. Sie gingen mir ans "Gemaecht" aber wollten sicher ueber diesen Umweg an mein Geld, doch das hielt ich ganz fest.
Ich dachte nun sei technisch alles in Ordnung und in Panama muss ich nur noch die Bereifung kaufen..... weit gefehlt (davon unter Panama). Auf einer Schotterstrecke (50 km in 4 Stunden !) - Should be rehabilitated asphalt that is in the next 2 years - it swerved again made a Gepaecktraegerschraube.
I have set in Central America in the overnight (cheap hotels), but these are not always lousy hotel. The cost is about $ 10 per night. I do this once for security on the other hand for meteorological reasons. The evening or at night it often rains when you have wet items, you can not dry in the tent, and it is also in the tent to warm and you want to sleep outside rather. It is also the fact that in Central America by 18 clock is dark, so that can not drive anymore. So it says, to the dark sitting on the bike. But if you still want to put up a tent, one would have to have about 16/17 Clock take care of a place. There are no official campgrounds, so that you can only "wild" camp, and it also is difficult to find a suitable place and then we also need to cook in the dark. It is also convenient to shower after the effort of the day. A familiar place I had almost immediately before the border with Panama. I was perfect in wet. It was on the dirt track and after that rain, got the same desire to have a beer without being asked and even a dinner (of course fee).
Panama
Waiting for tires. Panama Canal. South American dances. Flight Colombia
The first 100 km I have a very good road, is it something worse later. The concrete slabs are lifted and some of which moved, so be careful in addition to the constant shaking hoellisch needs to come not even in a deep hole with sharp edges broken off. But even this track, I unscathed (except for a new tire), then go back to Panama City in front on a good road.
However, the city stops right above another surprise ready for me. On the Puente de la Americana (Bridge over the Panama Canal on the Pacific side) are allowed only cars . Go Another road link "to South America" does not exist. How to get across? However, the police - your friend and helper - I ordered a police vehicle that drives me across the bridge. Now that's service?
In Balboa / Panama City, I quickly find a hotel with a correspondingly large affordability room where I can pack and wheel bags for my flight to Colombia. But until that happens, it is in Panama to overcome yet another handicap: There is nothing here for 28 "wheels (contrary to an otherwise information that I was present) , including, in particular no tires. And in Colombia? I was shocked a little. ups helps. Bike Tietz send me 3 matching bike ceiling that should be here in three days. For that I can now watch me in peace with his Panama City attractions, the Canal Museum and the surrounding area, take a canal tour. These are already things that normally are not seen again.
find near my hotel I have a nice internet cafe and a very nice staff there, which I enter my inability pictures from my camera, confess. He takes care of me and so I did it after 2 Sessions strapped to him. Good people, from now on, I can provide my reports with photos and make them a little clearer. Replenishment Alaska and Canada are then out of Germany because the pictures are only available on CD's and this has are at home.
evening I am often "out of office" and take in the atmosphere of this city to me. Not far from my hotel is a large parking lot, where three times a week accompanied by a dance group Panfloetenmusik "trained". Since all the families meet with children. I often hear their music, I look at their dances, and come with them to talk.
Panama is - just like Costa Rica - a very beautiful country. Here is yet to result in the banks in Panama City - are based in large quantities, lot of money flowing through the country and tourists zahlungskraeftigen something is offered. It would be a country where one could spend his twilight years - if you would have the wherewithal. There But poverty here in the city. The Government Palace is immediately surrounded by a slum. Whether the prime minister's decisions affect ...... ?
Despite the stay here, I'm still in the time limit.
Oh, why I fly to Colombia? There is no (ground) connection. There are no official ferry service (was discontinued several years ago). Whether it has political or economic reasons, I do not know. Perhaps there was also the drug trade, which would thus facilitate a role.
My tires deliver Although After three days on Friday evening but needs to be through customs and because it's Saturday, the first on Monday, the information on ups. I beg, I beg, I describe my situation. It helps. A car is driving to the airport and picks including my tires from there. Quickly confirm the flight for the Sunday in the hotel the rest of luggage packed airworthy. Large taxi ordered for Sunday morning. I'm ge-/erloest that now this hurdle is taken.
Statistics Central America:
Guatemala: 520 km
El Salvador: 388 km
Honduras: 109 km + 14 km
Nicaragua: 368 km
Costa Rica: 560 km + 27 km
Panama: 535 km + 126 km
Central America: 2,480 km (+ 167 km), 6,600 Hm (estimated), 136:59 hours (187:40 hr);
19 ½ days riding, 9 ½ calm, Technical, waiting days, 1 Transporttag;.
127 km / day, 18.1 km / hr, 338 Hm / day, 266 km Hm/100
Route:
La Mesilla ( Guatemala ) - Huehuetenango - San Cristobal Totonicapan (CA1) - Sololá (1) - Panajachel (Lake Atitlán) - (San Lucas Taliman) (11) - Valley of the Rio Madre Vieja for CA2 - Escuintla - Ciudad Pedro de Alvaredo (border with El Salvador ) - to / from the coast to La Libertad - El Transito - San Miguel - Sirama - El Amatillo (border with Honduras ) - Nacaome (CA1) - Choluteca - Guasaute (border with Nicaragua ) - Chinandega - Leon - Managua - Jinotepe - Rivas - Peñas Blancas (border with Costa Rica ) - Liberia (1) - Cañas - Barranca - Jaco - Parrita (23) - Quepos - Savegre (crushed) - Palma Norte - Paso Canoas (Panama border to ) - David - Santiago - Santa Clara - Panama City
Further reading auf "Ältere Posts" (rechts unten) klicken !
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