To the Arctic Ocean via the Dalton Road

[DiploStrat]

Sadly, I was only on the ground long enough to transfer to/from a smaller plane. The Howes (http://www.travelin-tortuga.com/Site/Home_Page.html) are already busting my chops for spending less than 48 hours in country. Especially such a pretty country, but sadly, I am still working for a living.

Things may have changed, but Peruvians used to be the worst truckers on the continent!

Safe travels!

[suntinez]

This is such a great story. Amazing pics.

Enjoy your time in Italy but don't let the squeeze team get chubby - you have to get back!

[cigarluvr]

Attentively awaiting your return from Europe...

[geovalue]

Travel is wonderful but I have a confession to make, nothing is as wonderful as the hugs of grandchildren. Being away from family is always the worst part of overlanding for extended periods. Do we appreciate our family more because we are apart? Go ahead and hug a family a friend today.

We have uploaded our video of us retrieving our trucks from the ports of Cartagena in Colombia. What an interesting process. We were told that there is lots of paperwork in an attempt to decrease the opportunity for corruption. Hope it is working.

Enjoy the follow up to the Squeeze Team video.
Logan and Brianna from PanAmNotes were with us during this shipping episode as we shared a container. We both decided next time RORO, container shipping is more difficult even if it is supposedly safer.



Safe travels all

[geovalue]

We are already getting ready to return to Colombia this weekend to continue our journey south. Reconnecting with family and friends has been such a treat, confirmation as to how much we miss them all. Although very grateful for all the fellow overland friends we have met to date on route. We loved our previous stay in Colombia and really hope we can get an extension on our vehicle permit so we can stay much longer and explore the countryside. We loved the people, food, landscape and birds.

Flying Over Bogota


Introduction to Colombia Food


Bird of Colombia


We are flying back to Bogota on Sunday and will be heading back to Medellin where our truck is being stored. We cant wait to get back on the road

What we found really interesting in Italy was reconnecting with our grandchildren who are growing up knowing us through Skype. We were concerned they would not know us but it was as if we stepped out of the computer they immediately recognized us and were excited to see us. I love this new technology and the ability to stay in contact with family. I think our grandchildren believe, "Grandpa and Grandma live in Computer"

Updated blog
http://www.adventurouspirits.com/travelogue/

Safe travels all

[geovalue]

We arrived back in Colombia and spent a few days exploring Bogota before flying back to Medellin to pick up our truck which we had in storage there. We knew immediately driving from the airport in Medellin, something had happened, there was a change and military and police were everywhere. We soon learnt that there had been an FARC guerrilla attack on the Pan Am highway north of Medellin buses and a truck attacked and burnt and when the police arrived a car bomb exploded killing the police and injuring others. We felt sick it was the road we had driven on from Cartagena to Medellin. IN fact if we had been successful in storing our truck in Cartagena we would have not been able to drive the Pan Am to Medellin. The locals were "rattled" and there were concerns about driving south on the Pan Am Highway.

We asked the locals how they manage such situations when having to get back on the road. We were told that should we not see a vehicle for 15 minutes to pull over as there maybe a road block ahead. We decided to proceed to Ecuador, no driving after sunset and no camping. We would stay in truck stops and keep with the traffic. There were military and police stops everywhere but when pulled over they were so nice to us and welcomed us as tourists to their country.

We are now in Ecuador having crossed the border. The drive was spectacular, Colombia certainly has to be one of the most stunning countries we have driven. It was unfortunate timing for us, that we could not spend more time as we had planned. It takes some of the fun out of overlanding when always having to stay alert for challenges, whether it was landmines in Angola, conflicts in the Congo, rebels in Nigeria, or sudden increase in guerrilla attacks. We have traveled through such countries and now decided life is too short and the world still has so much to offer and explore so we hurry through and move on.

ON to a happier note Tom uploaded his video on Guatemala a country that blew our socks off with all it had to offer.



We also updated our blog from Bogota

http://www.adventurouspirits.com/bog...a-we-are-back/

We will post video soon off our drive south from Medellin to Ecuador until then

Safe travels all

[rockandroll]

We arrived back in Colombia and spent a few days exploring Bogota before flying back to Medellin to pick up our truck which we had in storage there. We knew immediately driving from the airport in Medellin, something had happened, there was a change and military and police were everywhere. We soon learnt that there had been an FARC guerrilla attack on the Pan Am highway north of Medellin buses and a truck attacked and burnt and when the police arrived a car bomb exploded killing the police and injuring others. We felt sick it was the road we had driven on from Cartagena to Medellin. IN fact if we had been successful in storing our truck in Cartagena we would have not been able to drive the Pan Am to Medellin. The locals were "rattled" and there were concerns about driving south on the Pan Am Highway.

We asked the locals how they manage such situations when having to get back on the road. We were told that should we not see a vehicle for 15 minutes to pull over as there maybe a road block ahead. We decided to proceed to Ecuador, no driving after sunset and no camping. We would stay in truck stops and keep with the traffic. There were military and police stops everywhere but when pulled over they were so nice to us and welcomed us as tourists to their country.

We are now in Ecuador having crossed the border. The drive was spectacular, Colombia certainly has to be one of the most stunning countries we have driven. It was unfortunate timing for us, that we could not spend more time as we had planned. It takes some of the fun out of overlanding when always having to stay alert for challenges, whether it was landmines in Angola, conflicts in the Congo, rebels in Nigeria, or sudden increase in guerrilla attacks. We have traveled through such countries and now decided life is too short and the world still has so much to offer and explore so we hurry through and move on.

Glad you two made it out of there safe! Goes to show you how quickly things can change in a place like Colombia!

[trailsurfer]

Thanks for the Update.

[geovalue]

Glad you two made it out of there safe! Goes to show you how quickly things can change in a place like Colombia!

Yes we had some anxious moments deciding on best course of action. Fortunately the regular Colombians have to be one of the nicest people on the planet!

We have updated our blog of our drive south from Medellin

http://www.adventurouspirits.com/pan...-farc-attacks/

Heading South on Pan Am Highway

Locals Heading South on Pan Am Highway

Beautiful Colombia


We are now in Ecuador and had a delightful surprise when we entered Quito an email from Luis and Lacey from Lost World Expedition saying they were in Quito and could we meet. Finally we were able to meet them after following them on their blog. They had notice our SPOT indicating we were in Quito don't you just love technology.

Safe Travels all

[trailsurfer]

Great Photos