browsinaboutonabike.com
  • Armenia 18/4/2016
  • Baku, Azerbaijan
  • Georgia
  • 2-3/4/2016 Trabzon to Batumi, Georgia
    • 21-27/3/2016 Atakent to Trabzon >
      • 12-21/3/2016 Cide to Akakent >
        • 6-11/3/2016 Eregli to Cide
  • 26/2-4/3/2016 Istanbul to Eregli
    • Istanbul 15-25/2/2016 >
      • London 30/1-15/2/2016 >
        • Istanbul 19-30/1/2016
  • Proposed Journey East from Istanbul, March 2016
  • Sth Africa 6-19/1/2016
    • South Africa 6/12/2015 to 6/1/2016
  • Namibia 24/10-5/12/2015
    • Namibia 1/10/2015 to 23/10/2015
  • Zambia 7-30/9/2015
  • 21/8/2015 Malawi
  • 30/7-20/8/2015 Kigoma to Malawi Border
    • 21-30/7/2015 Tanzanian border to Kigoma, Lake Tanganyika >
      • 18-20/7/2015 Kigali to Tanzanian border >
        • 12-15/7/2015 Gisenyi to Kigali >
          • 10-11/7/2015 Rwandan border to Gisenyi
          • 15th June to 8th July Uganda
  • Last days in Kenya
    • 1-6/6/2015 Meru to Nyahururu >
      • 28-31/05/2015 Kenol to Meru >
        • 2011-16 Map >
          • 12-18/10/2014 Beausejour to St Laurent do Maroni >
            • 7-11/10/2014 St Georges to Beausejour, French Guiana >
              • 3-7/10/2014 Amapá, Brazil to St Georges, French Guiana >
                • 1-2/10/2014 Porto Grande to Amapá, AP >
                  • 26-29/9/2014 Macapá to Porto Grande >
                    • 16-23/9/2014 Almeirim to Macapá >
                      • 11-16/9/2014 Rurópolis to Almeirim, PA,BR >
                        • New Page
                        • 13/8-10/9/2014 Rurópolis, BR to Christchurch, NZ, return >
                          • 2-12/8/2014 Altamira to Ruropolis >
                            • 1-4/8/2014 Pacajá to Altamira, PA >
                              • 29/7-1/8/2014 Marabá to Pacajá, PA, BR230
        • 21-28/5/2015 Ongata to Kenol >
          • 5-21/5/2015 Iten to Ongata Rongai, Nairobi >
            • 2-6/5/2015 Kitale to Iten >
              • 1-2/5/2015 Lodwar to Kitale, Kenya >
                • Kenya: Omorate to Lodwar 20/04- 1/05/2015
  • 12-18/4/2015 Abra Minche to Omorate, Ethiopia
    • 3-10/4/2015 Waliso to Abra Minch >
      • 16-30/3/2015 Dese to Waliso, Ethiopia >
        • Ethiopia 9-16/3/2015 Me'kele to Dese >
          • 19/2-8/3/2015 Ethiopia
  • 25/1-18/2/2015 Sudan
  • 16-17 Luxor to Aswan
    • 8-15/1/2015 Asyut to Luxor >
      • 7-10/1/2015 Giza to Asyut
  • 1-6/1/2015 Cairo
    • Proposed passage Cairo to Cape Town Jan 2015 >
      • 21/10-12/11/2014 Suriname and Guyana
  • Updated Gear List
  • Rodovia Transamazônica
  • 21- 25/7/2014 Redencáo to Marabá, PA
    • Pará: 17-22/7/2014 Confresa, MT to Redencao, PA >
      • 9-13/7/2014 Nova Xavantina to Confreza, MT >
        • 3-4/7/2014 Barra do Garcas to Nova Xavantina >
          • 26-31/6/2014 Rondonópolis to Barra Do Garcas, MT >
            • 20-23/6/2014 Rio Verde, MS to Rondonópolis, MT >
              • 13-17/6/2014 Bonito to Rio Verde de Mato Grosso >
                • 9-11/6/2014 Jardim to Bonito MS, BR >
                  • 7-9/6/2014 Pedro Juan Caballero, PY to Jardim,BR >
                    • 9,10,11/5/2014 Remanso to Concepción onboard MV Osmar >
                      • 6-7/5/2014 Remanso,PY >
                        • 6/5/2014 Asunción to Remanso, PY >
                          • 27/4-2/5/2014 Foz do Iguaco, BR to Asunción, PY >
                            • 24-26/4/2014 Andresito to Puerto Iguazu >
                              • 19-21/4/2014 El Soberbio to San Antonio, AR >
                                • 16-17/4/2014 El Progreso to El Soberbio, AR >
                                  • 13-15/4/2014 Apóstoles to El Progreso >
                                    • 28/3-1/4/2014 Buenos Aires,AR to Paysandu, UY >
                                      • Profile Paysandu to Brazil
                                    • 9-12/4/2014 Tapebicuá to Apóstoles, AR >
                                      • 8/4/2013 Sawmill, north of Bonpland to 3km sth of Tapebicuá
                    • 28-30/5/2014 Concepción to Pedro Juan Caballero PY >
                      • 23-25/5/2014 Aquidaban back to Concepción >
                        • 16-20/5/2014 Tres Gigantes Estación Biologica >
                          • 14-16/5/2014 Vallemi to Bahia Negra on the Aquidaban >
                            • 13/5/2014 Bus trip Concepción to Vallemi
                    • 1-6/6/2014, Pedro Juan Caballero
  • 25/1/2014 USHUAIA
    • 23-24/1/2014 Rio Grande to Rio Lasifashaj >
      • 22-23/1/2013 Punta Arenas, CL to Rio Grande, AR >
        • 16-19/1/2014 Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas >
          • 14-15/1/2014 Torres Del Paine National Park, CL >
            • 8-12/1/2014 El Calafate to Puerto Natales >
              • 1-7/1/2013 Villa O'Higgins, CL to El Calafate, AR >
                • 27-31/12/2013 Cochrane to Villa O'Higgins >
                  • 19-26/12/2013 Coyhaique to Cochrane >
                    • 12-18/12/2013 Rio Santiago Bastia to Coyhaique >
                      • 6-12/12/2013 La Piedra del Gato to Mañihuales >
                        • 5-9/12/2013 Quellón to La Junta, CL >
                          • 29/11/2013 5/12/2013 Castro to Quellón, Chiloe, CL >
                            • 24/11/2013 Puerto Montt to Castro >
                              • 16-23/11/2013, San Martín, AR to Puerto Montt, CL >
                                • 9-14/11/2013 Temuco, CL to San Martín de los Andes, AR
                                • Cunco to Temuco and Santiago by bus
                                • Untitled
                                • 20,21/10/2013 Malargue to Los Frisos,AR
                                • 22-29/10/2013 Las Frisas, AR to Cunco,CL
  • 13/3/2012 Penonomé to Playa Gorgona
    • 14/3/2011 Playa Gorgona to Panama City
    • 15,16/3/2011 Panama City >
      • 14/4/2012, Shelter bay & Gatun Locks >
        • 15,16/4/2012 Canal transit >
          • 17/4/2012 Shelter Bay Marina onboard SV Bijou >
            • Feb 2014, An account of a road trip in New Zealand
          • 18,19/4/2012 Shelter Bay Marina
      • 17.../3/2012 Onboard SV Moondance, Brisas de Amador >
        • 25 March to 9 April, Gorgona, PC,Las Bresas >
          • 11/4/2012, Shelter Bay Marina,SV Bijou
          • 12/4/2012, Shelter Bay, and a bit of exploring
        • 11/3/2012 Las Lajas to Santiago >
          • 12/3/2012, Santiago to Penonomé
  • 7/4/2013 Bella Unión, UY to north of Bonpland, AR
    • 4-6/4/2014 Salto to Bella Unión, UY >
      • 2-3/4/2014 Termas de Guaviyú to Salto
  • Overnight Stop Map
    • 20-27/4/2012 Passage Portobelo to Santa Marta, Colombia
    • 28-29/2012 Santa Marta
  • Chile to Argentina (click on this header for an entry)
    • 6/9/2013 59km up the road camping
    • 7/9/2013 the corner to Paso Jama, Argentina
    • 8/9/2013 Paso Jama to adobe ruins on Salar de Olaroz
    • 9/9/2013 Ruins to south of Susques
    • 10/9/2013 Sth of Susques to bottom of range, camping >
      • 11/9/2013 bottom of the range to Purmamarca
      • 12/9/2013 Purmamarca to Lake campground near Salta >
        • 13,14/9/2013 Dique Cobre Corral to Salta,AR >
          • Salta south >
            • 17/9/2013 Quebrada De Las Conchas to Cafayate
      • 19/9/2013 Cafayate to 15km to Rio El Tesaro, camping >
        • 20/9/2013 Rio El Tesaro to Rio Belén, sth of Hualfin
      • 21/9/2013 Rio Belén to Belén >
        • 22/9/2013 Belén to a creek bed 42km sth
        • 23/9/2013 creek bed to 10km nth of Pituil
        • 25/9/2013 north of Pituil to Chilecito
        • 25-30/9/2013 Chilecito, AR
        • 1-7/10/2013 Chilecito to Caucete, AR >
          • 9-12/10/2013 Caucete to Tunuyán, AR
      • 13-15/10/2013 Caucete to San Rafael, AR >
        • 17/10/2013 San Rafael to Malargue, AR
  • Chile from 28/8/2013
    • 29/8/2013 Ascotán to Chiu Chiu
    • 30/8/2013 Chiu Chiu to Calama, CL
    • 31/8,1/9/2013 Calama to San Pedro de Atacama, CL
  • 20/7/2013 Titicaca area to Bolivian border
    • 20/7/2013 Sicuani to Santa Rosa >
      • 21/7/2013 Santa Rosa to Juliaca >
        • 22/7/2013 Juliaca to 6km past Huancané >
          • 23/2013 Huancané to Conima, camping >
            • 24/7/2013 near Conima, Peru to Puerto Acosta, Bolivia >
              • 25/7/2013 Puerto Acosta to Nth of Ancoraimes
  • 26/7/2013 Nth of Ancoraimes to Achacachi
    • 27/7/2013 Achacachi to Copacabana >
      • 28,29/7/2013 Copacabana BO, Kasani PE, Copa. BO
      • 30/7/2013 Copacabana, BO to Desaguadero, PE
      • 31/7/2013 Desaguadero, PE to El Alto, BO
      • 1,2/8/2013 El Alto to La Paz
      • 3,4,5/8/2013 La Paz
      • 8/08/2103 La Paz to Nth of Ayo Ayo, Camping
      • 9/8/2013 Nth of Ayo Ayo to south of Villa, camping >
        • 10/8/2013 Sth of Villa to just sth of Oruro, camping >
          • 11/8/2013 Sth of Ororo to Sth of Pazna, camping >
            • 12/8/2013 Sth of Poopo to Challapata >
              • 13,to17/8/2013 Challapata to Jirira 18-26/8 to Ollague,Chile
  • Peru 20/4/2013.....
    • 20-22/4/2013, Macará to Olmos, PE
    • 23-27/4/2013 Olmos to Chachapoyas,PE
    • 27/4/2013, Chachapoyas, PE
    • Chachapoyas to Cajamarca, PE >
      • 1/5/2013 Lejmebamba to Cerros de Calla-Calla >
        • 2/5/2013 Cerros de Calla-Calla to Balsas >
          • 3/4/2013 Balsas to a farm house overlooking Limon >
            • 4/5/2013 farm house campsite to south of Celendin >
              • 5,6/5/2013 Sth of Celendin to Cajamarca
    • 7/5/2013 Cajamarca to 9km before Cajabamba >
      • 8/5/2013, 9 km north of Cajabamba to Laguna Sousacocha >
        • 11/5/2013 Haumachuco to Trujillo
        • 9,10/5/2013 Laguna Sausacocha to Huamachuco
      • 18/5/2013 Lima
      • 23-25/5/2013 Trujillo to Caraz, PE >
        • 26,27/5/2013 Caraz to Huaraz, PE >
          • 28/5/2013 Huaraz to 34km south of Pachocoto,PE >
            • 29/5/2013 Farm 25km past Chacapoto to 12km on Huánuco Rd >
              • 30/5/2013,12km up Huanuco road to camp at 4600m >
                • 31/5/2013 near summit to La Union
    • 1/6/2013 Huánaco to camp near Acobamba >
      • 2,3/6/2013 Camping near Acobamba to Huánuco
    • 16/6/2013 Huancayo to Cuzco and Machu Picchu >
      • 16/6/2013 Huancayo to south of Mariscal Cáceres, camping >
        • 17/6/2013 sth Mariscal Cáceres 4km sthLa Esmeralda,camping >
          • 18/6/2013 Sth of La Esmaralda to Huanta >
            • 19/6/2013 Huanta to Ayacucho
  • 22/6/2013 Ayaucucho to top of pass before Ocros, 4200m
    • 23/6/2013 cerca la cumbre a 5km sur de Puente Pampas >
      • 23/6/2013 Sur de Puente Pampas a 5km este de Uripa >
        • 24/6/2013 above Uripa to Andahualas >
          • 25/6/2013 Andahuaylas to 10km below the summit >
            • 26/6/2013 near the summit to Puente Pachachaca >
              • 29/6/2013 Abancay to Curahuasi >
                • 30/6/2013 Curahuasi to a camp on the Rio Apurimac >
                  • 1/7/2013 Rio Apurimac to Izcuchaca >
                    • 2/7/2013 Izcuchaca and Cuzco >
                      • 4,5/7/2013 Izcuchaca to Cuzco >
                        • 9,10,11/7/2013 Cuzco to Machu Picchu >
                          • 11-16/7/2013 Cuzco >
                            • 17/7/2013 Cuzco to Quiquijana camping on el Rio Vilcanota
              • 27,28/6/2013 Puente Pachachaca to Abancay
  • 4/6/2013 Huánuco to just south of Huariaca
    • 5/6/2013 Huariaco to Cerro De Pasco >
      • 7,8/5/2013 Cerro De Pasco >
        • 8/6/2013 Cerro De Pasco to Junín >
          • 9/6/2013 Junín to 20km south of La Aroya, camping >
            • 10/6/2013 Sth of La Aroya to Huancayo
  • Medellín to Ushuaia, 2013 (april 2013 here,)
    • 31/1/13 Riosucio to Anserma >
      • 1/2/2013 Anserma to Cartago >
        • 6/12/2015 to 4/1/2016 South Africa
        • 2/2/2013 Cartago to Buga >
          • 3/2/2013 Buga all day >
            • 4,5/2/2013 Buga to Cali >
              • 6/2/2013 Cali to Piendamo
    • 27/1 Medellín to Bolombolo
    • 28/1 Bolombolo to La Pintada >
      • 29/1/13 La Pintada to Supia >
        • 30/1/13 Supía to Riosucio
      • 8/2/2013 Timbio to El Bordo >
        • 6/3/2013, San Clemente to Manta, EC >
          • 7/3/2013 Manta,EC all day >
            • 9/3/2013, Manta to Tena by bus >
              • 12,13,14,15 Tena to Limoncocha >
                • 16,17/3/2013 Manta >
                  • 18-23 Manta, Galapagos, Manta >
                    • 24,25/3/2013 Manta to Machalilla NP, EC >
                      • 26/3/2013 Machalillo NP to Machalillo >
                        • 27/3/2013 Machalilla to Puerto Lopez >
                          • 228,29,30/3/2013 Puerto Lopez, EC >
                            • Untitled
                            • 31/3/2013, Puerto Lopez to Ayungue, EC
      • 19/2/2013 Otavalo, Ecuador all day >
        • 20/2/2013 Otavalo to Sth of Otón, Ecuador >
          • 21/2/2013 Otón to Quito >
            • 22,23/2/2013 Quito, Hotel Húngaro >
              • 26/2/2013 Quito to Tandapi, EC
      • 27/2/2013 Tandapi to El Carmen, EC >
        • 28/2/2013, El Carmen to Pedernales, EC >
          • 2/3/2013 Pedernales to Tabuga >
            • 3/3/2013 Tabuga to Canoa >
              • 30/4/2012 Last day Santa Marta >
                • 1/5/2012 Santa Marta to Barranquilla
                • 2/5/2012 Barranquilla to Santa Veronica
                • 3/5/2012 Santa Veronica all day >
                  • 4-5/5/2012 Santa Veronica
              • 6-7/5/2012 Santa Veronica >
                • 8,9 &10/5/2012 Santa Veronica
              • 11/5/2012 Santa Veronica to Cartagena >
                • 12/5/2012 Cartagena all day >
                  • 13/5/2012 Cartagena to San Jacinto >
                    • 14/5/2012 San Jacinto to Sincelejo >
                      • 15/5/2012 Sincelejo to San Bernado >
                        • 16/5/2012 San Bernado to Puerto Escondido >
                          • 17,18/ 5 /2012, Puerto Escondido >
                            • 19/5/2012, Puerto Escondido to Planeta Rico >
                              • 20/5/2012 Planeta Rica to Caucasia >
                                • Untitled
                                • Untitled
                                • 21/5/2012, Caucasia to Tarazá >
                                  • 22/5/2012, Tarazá to Valdivia >
                                    • 23/5/2012, Valdivia to Yarumal >
                                      • 24/5/2012, Yarumal for the day >
                                        • 25/5/2012 Yarumal to Santa Rosa de Osos >
                                          • 26/5/2012, Santa Rosa de Osos >
                                            • 27/5/2012, Santa Rosa de Osos to Medellin >
                                              • 28/7 2011, Hannibal to Grafton
              • 5/3/2013, Canoa to San Clemente,EC
      • 9/2/2013 El Bordo to Tablon (April 2013 here) >
        • 1/4/2013 Ayungue to Salinas, EC >
          • 2/4/2013 Salinas to Posorjas,EC >
            • 3/4/2013 Posorja to San Carlos,EC >
              • 4/4/2013, San Carlos to Angas,EC >
                • 5/4/2013, Angas to Soldados, EC >
                  • 6/4/2013, Soldados to Cuenca >
                    • 7-9/4/2013, Cuenca, EC >
                      • 10-14/4/2013 Cuenca to Loja >
                        • 14-18/4/2013 Loja to Macará, EC >
                          • 7/2/2013 Piendamo to Timbio
      • 10,11/2/2013 Tablon to Chacahgui
      • 12/2/2013 Chachagui to Yucuanquer
      • 13,14,15/2/2013 Yucuanquer to Ipiales >
        • 16/2/2013 Ipiales to Bolivar, Ecuador >
          • 17/2/2013 Bolivar to nth of Ibarra, Ecuador >
            • 18/2/2013 Nth of Ibarra to Otavalo, Ecuador
    • Colombia 2012
  • Terrain Profiles
  • Nicaragua
  • Blog
  • Memphis to Venice, LA
  • Home and August entries
    • 8/8/2011 Sweetwater to Salida >
      • 9/8/2011 Salida to 3m North of Cripple Creek, CO >
        • 10/8/2011 Cripple Creek to Phantom Canyon >
          • 11/8/2011 Phantom Canyon to Pueblo >
            • 12/8/2011 Kansa to Warrensberg, MO >
              • 13/8/2011 Warrensberg to Clinton, MO >
                • 14/8/2011 Clinton to Sedalia >
                  • 15/8/2011 Sedalia to Tipton >
                    • 16/8/2011 Tipton all day >
                      • 17/8/2011 Tipton to Red Oak Park ,Lake of the Ozarks >
                        • 18/8/2011 Lake of the Ozarks all Day >
                          • 19/8/2011 Red Oak all day >
                            • 20/8/2011 Red Oak Park to Boonville >
                              • 21/8/2011 Boonville to Columbia >
                                • 22/8/2011 Columbia all day >
                                  • Untitled
                                  • 22/8/2011 Columbia to Portland >
                                    • 24/8/2011 Portland to Defiance >
                                      • 25/8/2011 Machens to Portage Des Sioux >
                                        • 26,27,28/8/2011Portage Des Sioux to Alton >
                                          • 29/8/2011 Alton to Columbia >
                                            • 30/8/2011 Columbia to Chester >
                                              • 31/8/2011 Chester to Grand Tower >
                                                • 1/9/2011 Grand Tower, IL to Wickliffe, KY >
                                                  • 2/9/2011 Wickliffe to Columbia, KY >
                                                    • 5/9/2011Tiptonville TN to Ripley TN
                                                    • Untitled
                                                    • 3-4/9/2011 Colmbus to Hickman, KY >
                                                      • 6/9/2011 Ripley Meeman- Shelby SP >
                                                        • Untitled
                                                        • 7/9/2011 Meeman-Shelby to Memphis
    • The proposed itinerary
    • A few words about the river
    • My Bike
    • Journal- Intro
    • Journal Entries late July early August >
      • 29/7/11 Grafton all day >
        • 30/7/2011 Grafton To Alton >
          • 31/7/11 Alton all day >
            • 1/8/2011 Alton all day >
              • 2,3/8/2011 Alton to Colarado Springs >
                • 3/8/2011 Colarado Springs >
                  • 4/8/2011, Colarado Springs >
                    • 5/8/2011 Colarado Springs Day 2
                  • 6/8/2011 Pueblo Dakota Springs >
                    • 7/8/2011 Dakota Hot Springs to Texas Creek >
                      • 7/8/2011 Dakota Hot springs to Texas Creek
    • The Gear list
  • Sydney to International Falls
    • IF to Northome >
      • Northome to Three Island Lake >
        • Three Island Lake to Itasca State Park >
          • Itasca Park full day 1 >
            • Itasca Park full day 2
  • Itasca to 4m north of Walker
    • 21/6/11 Walker to dare I say it Park Rapids
    • 22/6/11 Park Rapids all day >
      • 23/6/11 Park Rapids to sth of Walker
    • 24/6/11 Sth of Walker to Oak Haven Resort
    • 25/6/11 Oak Haven to Bena
    • 26/6/11 Bena for the day >
      • 27/6/11 Bena, from my tent to the shop and back
  • 28/6/11 Bena to Grand Rapids
  • 29/06/11 Grand Rapids to Pallisade
    • 30/06/11 Palisade to Crosby
    • 1/07/11 Crosby to Royalton
    • 2/07/2011 Royalton to St Cloud >
      • 3/07/2011 St Cloud to Monticello >
        • 4/7/2011 Monticello to Ham Lake >
          • Ham Lake all day >
            • 6/7/2011 Ham Lake to Prescott, WI >
              • 7/6/2011 Prescott to Pepin
          • 8/7/2011 Pepin to Perrot SP
    • 9/7/2011 Perrot SP to Wabasha, MN
  • 10/7/2011 Wabasha to Hastings
  • 16-17/1/2015 Luxor to Aswan
  • Zambia 7-30/9/2015
  • 11/7/2011 Hastings to Wabasha
    • 12/7/2011 Wabasha to Lansing,IA >
      • 13/7/2011 Lansing all day >
        • 14/7/2011 Lansing to Pikes Peak SP >
          • 15/7/2011 Pikes peak SP to Dubuque, IA >
            • 16/7/2011, Dubuque to Bellevue >
              • 17/7/2011, Pleasant Creek CG all day >
                • 18/7/2011, Pleasant Creek CG all day >
                  • 19/7/2011, Bellevue to Silvas, IL
          • 20/7/2011, Moline for the Day >
            • 21/7/2011, Moline to Loud Thunder Park >
              • 22/7/2011, Loud Thunder park to Keithsberg >
                • 23/07/2011, Keithbergs to Fort madison, IA >
                  • 24/7/2011, Fort Madison to Nauvoo
                • 25/7/2011, Nauvoo to Quincy >
                  • 26/7/2011 Quincy all day
    • Granada to Panama, Feb 27 >
      • 9, 10/3/2011 Servo to Playa Las Lajas
  • 8/5/2017 Tehran
28/4/2014 Foz Do Igausu to Yguazú

D50, T6, AV17.7,  27,399 1909

Fine and mild

Camping

Waking up, in no hurry to get going as I expected the Consulate to open at 1000.

Looking on the net their hours were from 0830.

It was a short walk there.

The girl at reception told me I needed two photos and 364 Reales.

This was organized in town, another short walk away.

Once back she said I would have to wait till 1400.

Back at the hostal they were great letting me occupy the room till then.

It had been a relaxing stay at the Green House, it comes recommended.

Loading the bike I  rode back to the Paraguay consulate and all was ready.

Great, finally entering Paraguay is a reality.

The bridge across the Paraná was just as hectic. At BR immigration, I told them no stamp was obtained going back to Brazil on Saturday.

She was great and just grabbed another stamp machine and back dated it for me.

Once at the PY immigration we joked about their country the only one wanting a visa.

Soon I was on my way.

Leaving this incredibly vibrant busy town. I got some local currency and a new Claro sim card and got out of there.

It had been 4 days in urban areas it was good to be away from that.

The traffic was mayhem though thinned out as the kilometres added up.

Just on dark I pulled into a place where they were selling hot chickens and asked if I could camp there.

The owner Mario was fantastic he moved his car from a shed and let me camp in there.  A hot shower was enjoyed before tuna and pasta.

I had a beer with Mario and his son at the shop as the trucks hurled by in the evening.

It was nice to back on the airbed again, it is so comfortable.

29/4/2014 Yguazú to 20km sth east of Coronel Oviedo

D139, T9, Av20, max56, 27,588  2,048

Overcast, slight northerly

Camping

It was great to have spent the night inside the shed.

Mario slid the door about 0730 to get chook food, about that time I got up.

Breakfast was the same two courses, coffee and porridge.

I spent time with Mario and his wife for half an hour, chatting about a few things, food, and cooking.

They were really nice people and everso kind to me.

On the road, as expected it was busy busy.

Just a constant stream of trucks with grain heading to Asunción to unload it onto boats for the trip down the Paraguay river and into bigger boats at Cuidad del Este before going down river to  Buenos Aires and beyond.

There was a good shoulder though it had judder bars evenly spaced along it.

To stop people undertaking and direct water off the road.

Large sections of road had a small piece of the judder bars removed so motos could travel down the shoulder. This was great for me.

Going down hills at speed I moved out on to the road for safety, it was tricky dodging the obstructions.

Motos were everywhere, on the wrong side of the road coming straight at me, they were all observant riders.

The terrain was gentle hills it made for great riding.

Cows were tethered iin many places on the road side chewing the lush grass.

Chooks were also in abundance on the roadside. They were very traffic wise. Much of the time feeding on the shoulder, looking for loose grain which there was plenty.

It really was a laid back atmosphere away from the road.

Every now and again there would be a huge silo complex always making a noise as the grain is augered up the tubes.

Roadside fruit stalls were in abundance, as were gomerias, tyre repair places.

An apple and a drink was enjoyed at one.

By the time 60km was done so was I.

I pulled in at Dr J.E. Estegarribia for lunch.

A locals only outside eating place was found. Here you were given a plate and could fill it with roast chicken and beef done in a variety of ways, all this with salads.

My plate could hold no more by the time my table was reached.

A couple of guys selling pirated Cd’s were hanging about. They said they get no tourists here.

To date only one group of local cyclists have been seen on this trip.

Most riders are in the Andes  or on the west coast. This was expected.

It will be quite an occasion to see another cyclist.

From here the road was still incredibly busy, just so many trucks.

A large bottle of coke was had in Caaguazú before moving on.

It was now after 1600. Tiredness was setting in.

Coming to an intersection at 1800, a couple of icecreams were enjoyed and the nights water supply sought.

With this I headed up the tarred side road just to get away from the traffic.

It is quite busy with grain trucks also.

The roadsides in most cases are not fenced so camping is no problem, there is lots of space and trees on properties, so asking to camp usually gets an affirmative reply

A few km up here I asked a farmer if i could camp on his property, all was good,

I settled in for the night, expecting rain tomorrow. It is forecast

Only coffee and tea were needed, lunch was still nourishing me.

It was a very mild night, mild enough for rain maybe.

 The farmer and his wife were very old and lived a humble existence. I thought about hteir lives and all the wars they must have seen and even fought in here in Paraguay.

Once again the people here in South America move me with their layed back attitude and hospitality.

I set the tent up in the dark

30/4/2014 Sth east of Coronel Oviedo to Caacupé

D101, T9, Av18.47, max56, 27,690  2,149

Torrential rain and thunder storms

Minor flooding

Hospedaje Peregrino

Well the forecast and the farmer were right, the thunder started at about 0200, then the isolated spots, then the rain proper.

I had got a few things prepared last night in the event of this occurrence.

I am getting quite good at packing up inside the tent and when all is sorted, most things are dry.

I wandered over and thanked the family, their son was there, telling me he had just planted tomatoes and pepino yesterday, so he was happy with the rain.

I headed  off about 0830 without any breakfast and had no dinner last night.

Sure enough, breakfast was needed half an hour later.

A shelter was found and the normal fare was had. Another guy pulled in to avoid the heavy rain.

Across the road I used the loo.

Feeling well fed and moving on, this rain was now torrential and laced with thunder and lightning.

My breakfast was soon burnt up in the conditions, two delightful hamburgers were enjoyed at a road stall some 40km on.

I had leant my bike on a small post, anyway the prop gave way, it fell over and nearly took out the whole stall.

I was  most apologetic, the woman cared less than me. We joked about putting it against a small tree.

This rain was now causing problems with minor flooding. Parts of the shoulder were under 70-100 mm of running water.

Riding was a full time act of concentration. I was wet through but remained warm as long as I kept moving.

This was going to really test the panniers waterproof capabilities.

Going down hills, I had to move out on to the road, many of the side judder bars were complete.

This was a bit hazardous given the low visibility.

Water was literally everywhere, trucks coming towards me would send a further drenching my way.

It was all pretty full on, adrenalin was pumping, it was quite dangerous. At one time there was the most brightest of lightening above, thunder  moments later shook the place.

All the while, a full commitment was needed, every piece of road was different, judder bars, surface water, shredded tryes, cars pulling out to pass, the sound of trucks, water in my face, dirt on the side and above all this traffic noise coupled thunder. It was quite a buzz.

Importantly my body, feet and hands were warm.

It was one of those days when I knew this is where I wanted to be, it was exciting. There was a destination, a challenge and purpose.

After all it is only water.

At Eusebio Ayala, with 85km for the day, I pulled in wet as a shag and asked at the gas station if there was a hospedaje here, the answer was no.

A panadería was found and a couple of empanadas and a chicken roll devoured.

The rest left me quite cold. I had to get moving, my hands and feet were numb. It was a further 18 km to Caacupé. I had no choice but to get there.

Leaving the bike in high gears climbing, I soon warmed up and got back into the rhythm. The rain never stopped.

Further back there were houses under water and some small bridges were close to going under. Animals were walking round in metre deep flood waters in the paddocks.

Minor flooding was reported in the news for southern Paraquay.

My thoughts went back to yesterday, I was so pleased to have put in that big one. The sooner I get off this busy road the better.

Though, I will say the traffic is really respectful. The only tooting was to let me know of their presence.

There was always a lip coming from the shoulder back onto the road proper, on a couple of occasions the tyres slipped along this for short periods, due to crossing it at such an acute angle.

The front tyre could be helped across, it was the rear wheel slipping.

Then it would bite, it was great to feel the Mondial aggressive tread biting into the asphalt lip and safely getting up me onto the road.

An accident like this doesn’t bare thinking about.

Once in town, wasted best sums up my disposition. Asking about hostals, most people directed me to expensive places.

As always, just away from the plaza there are always good value digs.

The Hospedaje, Peregrino, was found at 14 de Mayo and Boquerón

The people were great. I spent time with them and they feed me.

The room had reverse cycle air, so things are drying right now.

My tent is still soaked, that’s ok it can be dried in Asunción tomorrow.

 My panniers are not waterproof at the bottoms, it appears to be where the plastic fittings are attached. Luckily knowing this, the front one with my computer was lined with a plastic bag.

I am going to do this for all four now. Riding through surface water at speed, forces it into these fittings and on into the bag.

It is not alot, just enough to be a pain.

It was unbelievably nice to have had hot shower after a challenging and rewarding day here in this small landlocked country.

More rain is forecast for tomorrow. It  ia also a public holiday

 

 

 

1/5/2014  Caacupé to Asunción

D, 58T3, Av16.84, max68, 27,748  2,207

Fine and clear

Warm showers host

The forecast had been for more overcast conditions, pocking my head out the door blue sky welcomed me to the day.

I was keen to get to Asunción, it marked the end of another sector in the trip north.

I was also looking forward to being a Warmshowers guest  of a peace Corp volunteer in Asunción.

The trip was mostly through urbanized areas on the way to town.

Older style commuter buses and i were continually catching each other as they stopped to pick up or drop off passengers and my ability to weave thtrough traffic stopped at traffic lights.

There was sand and debris about, indicating they too had had a lot of rain.

Twenty km into the trip, 3 hamburgers and a coke were enjoyed whilst chatting with the lady in the shop near Ypacarai. The burgers were little buns with beef and lettuce inserted, very healthy and good energy.

The woman told me many animals around hte town had drown and been washed away in the swollen streams. Many of which were still racing along under the road bridges.

One area people were seen wading around in water outside their house.

It is not the water that is the real issue, it is the mud that it carries which settles as the water recedes and the effluent.

Riding in the crystal clear day was a pleasure.

I enjoy darting among the traffic, in most cases bicycles in cities have it all over cars when it come to getting somewhere.

Though all this traffic, especially the old buses were giving me a full on fix of diesel fumes.

Similar to leaving Cuidad del Este, but nowhere as bad as entering Quito.

I stopped at a street market and bought pears, telling the lovely old lady they were the best I’d had for over a year.

They were so sweet. From AR.

Arriving in Asunción was like getting into a large country town. Mayhem of a city was expected.

It was leafy and not overly busy.

Though inadvertently and not planned it was a perfect day to arrive here. It was El dia de los Trabajadores, or labour day.

The owners at the Preregrino, had said don’t ride around in the afternoon as there will be many drunk drivers about.

Good advice. My host Lydia had arranged to meet me at a corner near her house.

My arrival was at about 1400, we caught up and headed to her house.

She was a peace Corp volunteer who had spent nearly 3 years here in PY, she had just moved into the city for her last few months to help coordinate things.

She is keen to cycle back to her home in Washington state.

She was flat out asking me questions about my gear among other things.

That evening we wandered round to a friends house for dinner and a few beers.

Next door there were a bunch of people celebrating the day. We had to buy beer next door. These people were incredibly friendly and somewhat drunk, so needless to say we spent some time talking with them on the street.

In Asunción, a dental checkup and some filling cavities were needing to be repaired.

Lydia gave me the name of the peace corp dentist.

She did the repair work, it was quite expensive, tough she seemed very professional and capable.

My need to have a Rabies vaccine was also attended to at the Obrero Hospital here in town.

Once there, the amount of people waiting to be seen was huge, a hundred or more.

Luckily there was a little area for vaccinations, myself and a couple of young mothers were the only ones waiting. My initial injection was over and done within 10 minutes.

I need my second one in 8 days and the third in 28 days.

Hoping that timing will suit, the next one should be in Concepción. The third, who knows where, though the nurse told me I will get protection with just two shots, three is off course better.

This is a free service here. The first shot in NZ was going to be $200.

I found myself a reasonable room at the Hotel Korean in town, on Herrera near Brazil, quite good value and very central.

I will need to be here till Tuesday as my last dental appointment is late Monday.

The city is full of imported second hand Japanese cars, lots of which are Mercedes.

Like most cities here the footpaths are an obstacle course, they really add to the shopping experience.

The rain the other day was quite an event with much infrastructure damage to bridges and roads, it was all over the news.

It sure made for an interesting days riding.

The climate here is very humid with 27 to 31 degree days, the guys were saying it can get to 40° here with humidity.

The few days here have been very enjoyable, Lydia was fantastic company and fun, we spent a night out together with some of her Peace Corp friends. Every country I have been in and met Peace Corp people from the US, they have been such delightful company.

Then on Sunday we caught up for lunch, she and her friend Mike were with the parents of a volunteer that sadly passed away here from an allergy that caused breathing difficulties.

 They are here visiting the village he was volunteering in.

My heart goes out to them. Stuff like this is not meant to happen.

The giving of a few years of their life to help the less informed and fortunate in some of these South American, is something I admire greatly.

Lydia has a website that is very interesting, I wished her all the best in making her dream to ride back home a reality.

I know she will do it. I told her that right now, I am living a dream, and it is pretty damn good. This I told her.

Her website is: pedalandplow.com

My teeth are now in perfect working order and a second battery for my Samsung was bought, rather than going for the solar recharge option.

Asunción is quite difficult to find your way around, it is on a grid pattern, but within the CBD, the grid is in blocks, one area north and south, then the next NW and SE.

It is always good language practise asking people the direction.

 There is no subway, but a great network of old buses that stop anywhere to pick people up.

Often sitting in the front seats to talk to the driver about where to disembark, the engine noise of the old diesels hammering away was deafening. It is a wonder the drivers could even hear being exposed to this noise all day.

Asunción is a nice size city, not to big, it has a good music scene with little bars everywhere. Eateries from comedores to flash restaurants are also in abundance.

I will leave here with fond memories.



PictureBuddhist temple Foz do Iguacu

Picturelegit entry into Paraguay with a 90 day visa

PictureFoz do Iguacu, Brazil definitely had a different feel about it. A fresh vibrant feel.

Picture¡Mario, cocinero extraordinario!

Picturestalls on the way into Asunción, items made from local timbers

PictureIt was a wet and cold day if one stopped for too long

PictureAdolfo and Angela from the Peregrino in Caacapú. Such great hosts

PictureWith Lydia outside Palacio Lopez, Asunción

PictureFrom what I have seen, a very small country full of very proud people. Paraguay.

PicturePromenade Rio Paraguay

PictureMoto taxi riders waiting for their next frantic ride, they were a hazard on the road.

PictureRio Paraná, the border of Brazil and Paraguay, below the Itaipu dam

PictureA nice change after so many traditional places of belief

PictureAg chemicals are a big part of rural life here. The soya crop goes to feed Chinese animals. "many things can pass through your farm. Without doubt, not rust."

PictureIngredients for Tereré, a herbal drink.

PicturePaddock full of remnant Cocos palms

PictureThe aftermarth

PictureBaby pineapples grown here in Paraguay

PictureWe couldn't help ourselves.

PictureA really interesting record of visitors from various countries at the dam.

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.