Possibly one of our shortest riding days yet. We left around 6am and headed for the dreaded border crossing at Canoas. We expected longer lines as many Costa Ricans were headed into Panama for cheap shopping. Additionally, Monday is a holiday (independence day?). Dan (from Guatamala) gave us a contact with a place to stay outside of David..
We made the 60km sprint to the border and started the process. Stamping out of Costa Rica was effortless
Let the craziness begin...
We met a group of riders from Panama headed into Costa Rica. Money Changers in the background.
Once we reached the front of the passport line, we were told that we needed a plane ticket leaving Panama and $500USD to enter. After a long debate we were allowed to waive the plane ticket requirement due to riding our bikes but we still needed to come up with $500 cash. Trevor spent about an hour wandering around trying to find ATM's with money. Finally we had enough. Another long wait through the line.
We met a pair of pedal bikers from the USA. They were given grief about the plane ticket thing. They just went to a different window and got lucky. So random.
Long waits....
We arrived at Normans House just after noon. Luckily he was still there. He invited us to join him as he was going to a friends birthday party. He rode his Honda Valkyrie while we followed into David.
Norman belongs to the Macho Monte bike club in David and area.
We pulled into David at the meeting point for all the riders. We had a blast riding out with a group of about 10 Harley's as neither of us has ridden in a group this big and especially not Harley riders.
Rough riding for the last Km to the party, We definitely have the right bikes for central america....
All of a sudden we came around the corner and there were cars lined up everywhere and music playing and loads of people.
Great tunes from the 70's/80's
Bandidos another bike club showed up
Just some of the rumored 30+ cases....
Great food and good times hanging out with everyone! We enjoyed a pig roast, endless beer and a bunch of birthday Cake. Happy Birthday Billy! There was a great group of Americans and Canadians living here. Pretty cool place.
Dec 1, 2013 Norman's House Continued.
Back at Normans back yard
The next morning we headed up to the Vocan (volcano region). Temperatures dropped as we climbed and climbed.
Beautiful countryside.
Average home. Most of the fresh food and vegetables is grown in this region.
We stopped for some tomales. They are boiled and nice and warm. They are made up of a corn mixture (outside) with some meat in the centre. Especially popular around this time of year.
Norman gave us directions to an isolated beach. We were stopped a couple
hundred meters from the beach as it was high tide and a bit too much
water to cross in the one spot. Sunny and at least 30+.
Later that afternoon Trevor and Kyle headed to the Pacific Ocean.
Teaching english and learning spanish
Manta Rays in the waves.
Thanks Norman we had a great two days saying at your house!
We leave Norman's house tomorrow headed for Panama City.
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