Day 1 - Belize

The Garmin GPS led me astray today - good thing I caught the mistake in time - 50 km in the wrong  direction (I am using OSM GPS maps for Central America and will write a detailed post once I finish testing them)

Once again I had the same run around about where to cancel my Mexican vehicle permit - apparently it just so happens to be the other border crossing!?

Good news - the border crossing was not too far - 30 mins later I was all set to tackle the Belize gang!

The senior gang member tells me that I will have to unload and then carry ALL my bags to the custom shed for inspection!? Now, this conversation is taking place in the middle of a water logged mud track and he wants me to start unloading right there!!??

Then another goon shows with a dolly (which I will have to rent) to assist me in the transportation of my goods - what a circus!!

I put my arm around the senior goon and ask as to how much will it cost not to unload, his response - "US $ 10 will make you a VIP"!

5 mins later I was in Belize!!

As for Belize - it has more of a Caribbean feel to it  as compared to Mexico - even the locals speak with a Caribbean accent - very poor country with some of the most expensive hotels! Quality of accommodation not being a priority of course

But the people are friendly and the beer is cold!

Day 3 & 4 - Mexico

I did try to get out of Mexico in 3 days - but yesterday was a wash out as I was stuck in a traffic jam for 6 hours - created by the very construction workers that repair and maintain the road - from what i experienced they do a better job at a sit down strike!

Their  idea of a strike is a fiesta - with music, brews, etc - and block traffic for hours - engines overheating, trucks breaking down - just adds to their party spirit

What a bunch of world class wankers!

Finally, today I made it to Chetumal - right at the border to Belize - plan crossing tomorrow - lets see how that goes

All in all, so far, the trip has gone relatively (compared to last time) smoothly - other then the self created issue off driving at night -  the police and army have waved me though and I have not been stopped at even one road block/check point!

Experience is King in this business - so much easier when you know where the mines are buried

Day 1 & 2 - Mexico

here I am again - from cruise control to balls to the wall!

One minute I was taking it easy sipping coffee and the next minute it was an exercise in escape and evasion!

Actually the first day in Mexico started really well till i broke my own cardinal rule - do not drive at night :-(

I did not find a place to stay and carried on as I always do - Insha Allah I got away with just some minor damage to the rear fender - the Pathfinder fender that is!

Lesson learned - DO NOT drive at night!!

On the positive side - got waved through all the police and army road blocks - this is a first!

Did encounter my first live snake trying to sneak across the highway - and yes, as I don't believe in the death penalty,  he/she was still scampering for cover as I drove past!

Road conditions ranged from great to terrible - welcome to Mexico!

In a place called Brisa today - will head for the Belize border tomorrow

cheers!

Day 6, 7 & 8 - US

Where have the days gone!? Was planning on just 5 days on the US - and here I am stuck in Texas - took a couple of days to service, etc the vehicle and one day to rest and recuperate for Mexico and beyond

Weekdays are bad days to cross the border anyway

Monday is my planned border crossing - today (Sunday) I am lying low in Port of Brownsville, Texas (Atlantic)

My drive though Mexico will be along the Atlantic coast to Belize

Don't have much more to say about Texas - except that they do like their picnics - have designated picnic areas all over the place!?

Day 3, 4 & 5 - US and Texas!

Good to be back in the desert again!

Day 4 was tiring - so stopped for the night in a place called Roswell in NM. 

Day 5 - had some real nasty weather for the first 3 hours – thick mist/fog  - could barely see 15 feet in any direction but the locals were still flying at 100 miles an hour – cannot have something like a fog interfere with their life choices! And they were doing it without turning on their headlights!?

Needless to say it did not end well for quite a few dumb asses – multi car pileup after pileup – have never seen so many accidents in 3 hours ever

Highlight of the trip – saw 6 dead cows on a culvert – nicely balanced 3 on each side of the road! Did I mention I am in Texas! :-)

Have a feeling I will have more stories to tell before I leave for Mexico

In Kerrville, Texas tonight – will head closer to the border tomorrow

Day 1 & 2 US - Take2

Well, finally I am on the road again!

Been a couple of warm days - even the border guard wished me a safe journey - a real surprise compared to last time!

In Ogden, Utah today - have been clocking 10 hour,on the road, days

Given a second chance to chase down my dream - amazing

To be Switched On again - Priceless! 

La Jument

La Jument is the name of a lighthouse at the Northwestern part of France, Brittany. The lighthouse is built on a rock (that is also called La Jument) about 300 meters from the coast of the island of Ushant

The lighthouse became famous in 1989, through a series of photographs taken by Jean Guichard

One of the more infamous storms on the Iroise Sea happened on 21 December 1989. A front of low pressure coming from Ireland brought gale force winds and huge waves of 20 to 30 meters high which crashed spectacularly against the lighthouse

The waves smashed through the lower windows of the lighthouse, ripped the front door, flooded the tower and washed away the furniture.

About the same time, photographer Jean Guichard was in Lorient hiring a helicopter to take aerial pictures of the storm. Guichard wanted to fly over the Iroise Sea despite extremely dangerous flying conditions.

The helicopter made it to La Jument and hovered around for Guichard to take shots of the waves pounding the lighthouse

Inside the tower, Théodore Malgorn(lighthouse keeper) heard the helicopter and went downstairs to see what was going on

At that very moment, a giant wave rose over the rear of the lighthouse and Guichard took his world-famous shot as the wave smashed against the tower. Théodore Malgorn, suddenly realizing that a giant wave was about to engulf the structure, rushed back inside just in time to save his life

In an interview he said “If I had been a little further away from the door, I would not have made it back into the tower. And I would be dead today. You cannot play with the sea.” 

finally!

soon....