Saturday, March 19, 2011

It’s Time for Africa

Daryll writes:

After two magnificent weeks, we bid a sad farewell to all our new friends in Buenos Aires.  We had arranged with our shipping company to drop off our bikes at the cargo terminal on the Wednesday and for the bikes to fly to Johannesburg on the Friday, knowing that we were to fly out on the Sunday.  So if there were to be problems with any of the paperwork, we would still have time to sort it out before we left the country.  We’ve heard some horror stories of bikers leaving before their bikes could be shipped only to find out that customs hadn’t cleared the bikes to be exported. 

Our departure from Argentina though was not without drama.  A short clip of our bikes being packed and ready for shipping.

It's Time for Africa from One World 2 Explore on Vimeo.

Having arrived in Johannesburg with little sleep, we spent the entire day moving from one office to the other and trying to have our bikes processed and cleared through South African customs.  Thanks to Shalan, my brother in-law who met us as we disembarked our flight and dropped us off at the air cargo terminal together with a jerry can of gas.  I was amazed how helpful people were.  Once we had customs sign off for our bikes to be released, a forklift brought them out into the parking lot.  We both were relieved to see them in tact and the way we had seen them taken away a few days prior.  As we unwrapped the several layers of plastic, we had several onlookers as everyone was eager to see what was under all that wrapping.  As we worked to get the bikes on the road again, we had several offers of help and one guy went off and made a funnel and brought it back so that I could fill the tanks with gas.

I’ve never lived in Johannesburg and was shocked at the traffic.  It was rush hour and we had to get to my parent’s home.  I purchased the Tracks 4 Africa mapping software for my GPS prior to leaving Canada, however just realized that it doesn’t auto-route in and around the Johannesburg area.  So we were glad when Shalan arrived at the cargo terminal to lead us home.  As we inched forward in traffic, we got a few stares as it is common practice for bikes to lane-split, so the locals must have wondered why we were sitting in traffic.

It’s nice being at home, having a warm bed to sleep in and especially taking advantage of my mothers cooking.  The last week was spent catching up with family and friends and I need to spend the next few days going over the bikes.  It is good being at home, but we are also itching to get going again as it is now 3 weeks since we’ve really ridden our bikes.  We’ve purchased a new guidebook and now the planning begins for the start of the next leg of our adventure.  Stay tuned!
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8 comments:

  1. Greg writes... Ang what are you going to do with Daryl LOL... forgetting his yellow fever paperwork LOL.. good thing you got through without it! Hope the trip over was good and I am sure it is nice to be with family for a bit and rest up for the second leg of the journey. Enjoy and we look forward to more updates. Greg and Jill

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  2. Well if you ask Daryll it was my fault for not reminding him to hold on to his vaccination certificate in the first place so I think it's more like what is he going to do with me!!

    Staying with family is wonderful. It's so nice to seet them and to not worry about food and shelter for a while. I do miss the daily riding though!
    Let us know when you make a decision about your new bike. I think Jill should make the final call based on the comfort of the pillion seat! Love to you both.
    Ang

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  3. greg writes.. no problem with the pillion seat for Jill lol. Already am planning on Russell Seats to refurbish whatever stock seat comes with the bike! Gotta keep the boss happy! lol... greg and Jill

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  4. Hey Darryl/Angela. Great to hear that you guys are save in South Africa. Looking forward to ride with you guys.....well I hope our roads will cross....I'll be reading your blog everyday....Safe Touring..
    Regards,
    Cobus Rautenbach
    www.owntheroad.co.za

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  5. Hi Cobus,
    Are you still making your way to Cape Town for April 20th?
    Daryll

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  6. Morning Daryll/Angela,
    I have send you an email with our plan route.
    Regards
    Cobus

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  7. Hi Cobus,
    Thanks for that as it gives us an idea for our route planning as well.
    Daryll

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  8. Hi Daryll/Angela
    Always a pleasure to help. Will we see you guys on the road? Hope so.
    Cobus

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