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
28/5/2014 Concepción to 25km west of Yby Yaú

D99, T7, Av16.50, Max46, 27919, 2376

Fine and mild
This music is Polka Paraguaya, the lyrics are in Guaraní
I spent a couple of days in Concepción before deciding to move on.

The Monday was absolutely freezing, it was only 14 degrees overcast and wet. When I say freezing I refer to it in the sense of the clothing I am carrying. Too many more days like this will not be the best.

There has been a cold air stream from Antarctica passing over the interior.

In Bolivia thousands of cattle have died in the minus temps, only just a few months ago many were drowned in floods.

Deirdre and I were blessed with stable weather on our way through Bolivia last year.

Climate change is a real issue here.

I feel it is going to have some impact on me as I cross Brazil to the coast. I hope not.

I gave the bike a good service on Tuesday in the sun and  did some hand washing, just essentials.

Whilst cleaning the chain and washing out all the brake cable housings. It was noticed, a spoke had broken on the rear wheel, and was not true.

Luckily,  this was on the side opposite to the cassette, so replacement was easy.

Truing it took a while longer.

The dock outside the hospedaje was empty, the Aquidaban had left for another run up to Bahia Negra.

Reflecting on the passages, it truly was a unique experience on the River Paraguay.

Fernando told me a group of brothers own her.

My wounds are healing up really well, though now a niggly little throat cold has set in, I am not feeling 100%, it is possibly a side effect of the few tough nights on the boat.

Maybe it is just a coincidence. Either way on Wednesday evening,  it was decided to not pack and see how I felt in the morning.

Concepción is an interesting city. It is largely a servicing town for the many rural communities and estancias around it.

In many respects, it is very isolated.

It was not uncommon to see horse and carts on the streets.

They were the taxis from the Wharf.

Good fresh fruit and veges were hard to find.

The people here have to put up with lots of rain and more so the mud. There are many banks which gives an indication of the rural wealth surrounding the city.

I was looking to buy a replacement camera here but the most expensive one was about 100 dollars. These and other electrical goods of any value are best bought in Pedro Juan Caballero I was told.

I ate Carolinas food most days but always had the porridge for breakfast.

So, if you are ever in Concepción their Hospedaje comes highly recommended, right on the river.

The Estrella del Norte.

The forecast was good for a few days so on Wednesday morning, it was decided to leave.I still felt a little off, but figured some good exercise might scare this cold off.

I stopped and put 65lbs psi pressure in each tyre from a gas station.

It seems like Gasolina Blanca is unavailable here in Paraguay, so possibly Petrol will have to be used in my stove. Maybe I can buy it in Brazil, maybe not .

I was on the road by 1000 loaded with tomatoes, bread, and onions for lunch.

It was a pleasure to be on the bike again after 15 or more days.

The road had a great shoulder and was a mix of gentle rolling hill country.

It was a mix of small rural properties all the way to Horqueta.

The lush roadside reserve was being grazed by tethered cattle most of the way with cheeky roadwise chooks on the shoulder pecking away at whatever they could find.

Plenty it seemed.

Trucks were frequent. Many goods come in from Brazil to Asunción. There wasn’t a breath of wind so riding was easy on the flat sections.

I have a Claro chip in my phone, my advice to anyone visiting PY get a Tigo chip, they offer the best service in rural areas, along with Personal. Claro have no coverage outside the cities.

The roadside always had people walking along the edges. Motorbikes are very popular here.

It is not uncommon to see a mum with three young children on a 150cc step thru. Helmets are rarely worn, though people on bigger bikes occasionally wear one. 

Come 1500, a stop was made at a house to fill the water bladder. It is always good to be riding along with the nights water needs onboard, that way the best campsite can be found, as I am self contained.

Some km later a building next to a house was spotted it looked like some kind of Government set up.

I went into the house next door to see if I could set up my tent there.

It was a medical clinic staffed by nurses.

The neighbour worked there, she said it was all good.

It was great, a nice little slope for the tent and concrete around the building to cook on. 

I was really worn out. Dinner of pasta and tuna was cooked. The woman’s husband came over for a chat. He asked me in for dinner, being totally worn out and in no way wanting to converse too much, his offer was declined with thanks.

I was in bed by 1730, read till 2200 and promptly fell asleep. It was good to be camping again.

There were no mosquitoes either which made it even more comfortable.

I was prepared for a cold morning, being told 4-5°C could be the low.

I had locked the bike to a radio tower by the tent. This always makes me sleep better, knowing a real effort would be required to steal it.

 

 

29/5/2014 Yby Yaú to Escuela Don Fransisco Espinola Guavira

D81, T7, Av15, max42, 279998, 2457

Fine and cool

I woke up nice and early to find a mild morning with a cloud cover that had reduced to dew and left a temperature of 15 degrees, very comfortable.

I had an early breakfast and chatted with the nurses who started work at 0700, they  were great.

They told me of a clinic in YBY Yaú where I could get my rabies vaccine. I was on the road by 0830, early by my standards.

I still had this throat thing happening but did not let it dampen my spirits.

The road was more of the rolling hill terrain. Large mobs of cattle were seen from the road.

The country is still dotted with Cocos Palms, flocks of parrots are seen flitting past.

The vistas are a collage of shades of green.

I stopped at Yby Yaú and visited a supermarket. It was a cool day. They were selling meat at the back of the shop. For the first time i bought some meat for dinner. Two steaks, thin but not huge and very lean cost me 90c, so cheap.

I bought pumpkin and mandioca at a fruit shop.

I was looking forward to fried steak, onions, garlic, capsicum with boiled pumpkin and mandioca.

A stop was made at a little rustic cafe where a lot of truck drivers were stopped to eat.

There was a table outside under a tree. An Empanada was bought with a big bottle of coke in glass of course. These were enjoyed with sardines and onions on wholemeal crackers.

The tent was out in the sun drying.

I was fairly wasted and had 55km on the clock at this stage. 

Heading off, tomorrow would see me in SPC early.

I stopped at a school and topped up with water, the hunt for a camp had begun.

Coming down a hill to a very elaborate property with a man made waterfall and what looked like a small power station on a creek.

A school was spotted just beyond. Pulling in here two young mums were washing up outside at the back.

I had a yarn with them and they should I was welcome to camp in the grounds. Whats more they said I could camp under the shelter. This was perfect.

I could cook up my feast and not think about the weather. .Plus the tent would be dry in the morning.

 The school yard was alive with chooks and chickens, ot was coll seeing them all going about their business in groups.

I find chooks very soothing, just watching them peck away, they never stop. The chickens are never far behind.

There was a cat on sitei they told me he never touched the chickens, a small dog made up the compliment of yard animals.

Parrots were settling down for the night. They nest in the Cocos palms.

The big pad next door belonged to a wealthy politician, why am I not surprised. He even had his own set of street lights for 500m on each side of the road here in the middle of nowhere. A good use of the power generated in the stream.

Dinner was great, the steak so sweet.

The road was still busy with trucks.

It could rain all it liked tonight, I was cosy in my tent under the shelter .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

30/05/2014 Escuela Guavira to Pedro Juan Caballero

D74 (49, 23km looking for a hospedaje!) T6, Av12, Max34, 28073, 2531

Cloudy with strong ENE winds

So far it had just been rolling country, I was now at 250m, so some climbing was ahead.

With only 50km to ride, it was going to be an early day, or so I hoped. The road from Concepción to PJC elevates from 100m to nearly 700m.

The children start school at 0720 so I was up early, it was mild. Though when I walked out of the shelter a strong nor easter blasted me.

Sitting around having breeky, the chooks were out in force all over the place. I fed them some porridge, they weren't overly keen .

They were just a happy well fed crew. They couple of roosters would chase each other now and again. There literally was a pecking order.

I sat and watched them for a long time, just lost in the moment, they are so busy, it is easy to just sit and observe their ways and drift off into peaceful thoughts.

Back to matters at hand, wandering over to the house I bade the girls goodbye and deeply thanked them for the night.

I probably raved on, they understood, or indicated they did.

This kind of accommodation is how I used to look at a flash motel.

Once one the road, the wind confronted me head on. There were high whispey clouds.

Having looked at the land profile I knew there was some climbing ahead.

A largegroup of cattle were wandering through a paddock scattered with Cocos palms and well pastured. They were all heading to the leeward slope.

I knew I was in for a hard ride to windward.

Some 10km on it started, though by Peru standards the slope and duration was nothing.

Once at the top the land leveled out and a variety of cropping was occupying the rich flat lands.

Police were frequently blocking the road and checking cars.

They stopped me twice, just for a yarn and photos.

It is quite imposing when 6 men dressed in camo green are all around you arn\med with pistols and the odd heavier piece.

They wanted to know how long I had been in their country. They are fiercely proud of Paraguay always asking how i liked it and the people.

There really only was one answer given the circumstances. A few took photos with me.

At one point, a truck driver was on the side of the road with the radiator out of the front. Stopping to talk he told me he had hit another truck. His phone rang and the first word he said to the person on the other end after hello “ tranquilo”.

 Such is life here, nothing is a problem. He said he could fix it and told me how far the next town was.

Since leaving BA, no other cyclists from outside South America have been encountered.

This will be the norm I feel. It is great for my Spanish as sometimes i go for weeks without speaking English. It is full on immersion.

Getting close to Pedro Juan Caballero, a wall fronted me I was totally trashed. Took a gel and slowly plodded on. The wind and hills had made it tough going.

Making it to the first tienda. I bought a big chocolate milk and some dried cake.

It was a huge help.

Getting closer to town a meal was enjoyed. I was now fully charged again.

 My next job was to find the hospital and get my final rabies shot.

Once at the hospital and having lined up for half an hour with mums and bubs. The nurses told me they had no vaccine. I could not believe it.

They said a few days late for the last shot is ok.

They told me to go to Brazil and get it,.

Next on the list was to find a hospedaje, i had been told there were plenty of cheap ones around the autobus terminal.

Well i hunted and hunted, found plenty, some were full and some were very dodgey. It was a part of town that appeared to be a place where people did anything for a living.

They must have got sick of seeing me on the same street so many times.

Rule number 1con my list: never look lost! During my hunting I found a language school so spent half an hour here with the girls who said i could use their internet for the time I was here. Great .

Still looking I headed into an even more apparently dodgey part of town looking for a place. Many were out of my desired price range.

Always asking people. A man told me to turn left down the road. I found the hospedaje. It was 25,000 G perfect.

Anyway going into a room, there was a blue flouro bulb I asked if they could put  a white one in the socket, that was good.

The rooms were decked out with big beds and hearts on the walls and mirrors. Then the penny dropped.

The price was 25000 G per hour. It was a place where guys bought girls. This was confirmed in the second room when condoms were seen on the clean towel folded on the bed.

It was classic, I had said i don’t want the sexy bulb because I was solo.

I got out of there. By now it was nearly dark. Never before have the hassles to find a bed been like this.

Earlier I had looked at a cheap but dirty place. On dark Getting back there my choices were little.It was booked.

A tiny concrete floored room with a dirt yard and lots of other people there. Street vendors who sold brooms and one had a cart with shrubs in it.

They were drinking in the corner. The toilets were easy to find, They were a blind mans dream, the smell more than revealed hteir whereabouts.

It was just good to off the streets at this time of day.

Using them was a hold your breath affair and if that failed breath out of your mouth.

I was still not 100% healthy. Vitamin b12 and more antibiotics were bought.

It is very hard getting green veges here.

PJC is a busy vibrant border town.

PictureCocos palms and ant hills, a common site. The parrots nest in their crowns.

PictureNice riding with a good shoulder.

PictureCropping land on the tops 15 before Pedro Juan Caballero

PictureMaintenance, Concepción.

PictureAdios!! Concepción y el Rio Paraguay, fue un buen tiempo! Quince dias sin pedaleando mi bici, mmmm?

PictureYby Yaú........ Saw five on a bike the other day. Traffic is so respectful of these families on their bikes. What would an Aussie cop do here? Fine everyone on board and lock the mum up!!!! It would not surprise me. Then on the other hand he might just throw his hands in the air and walk away!! LOL

PictureFirst night camping for a couple of weeks, at the medical clinic.

PictureSteak and veges for dinner and a roof . This qualifies for 4 stars!

PictureCerro Memby

PictureTypical street scene Concepción. A large country town really. It had such a relaxed atmosphere.

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