Travel Journal

Live the adventures of Dan Walker's travels through reading his travel journal. The travel journals are listed below in descending order of date. To search the travel journals, use the keyword search at the bottom of the page.

Journal Entry:

Trips | Rolls Alaska To Argentina & Back 2011

Saturday, May 28, 2011 07:22:37
Rolls Alaska to Argentina & back: 34 Colon Panama to La Garita Costa Rica Tuesday, May 24, 2011 Miles for the day: 195 (314 km) Miles to date: 18,131 (29,179 km) We packed up everything ready to move out before Dania picked me up at 8:50 for more paperwork then a wait of over 1 ½ hrs in stifling heat on the loading dock waiting for the container. Everything moved at the pace of a handicapped snail - very different from Cartagena. When the container finally arrived and was opened there was a strong smell of gas and the car didn't start. I thought the small amount of gas left had evaporated, but I gave it one last try before going for gas and it started. Fortunately a gas station was nearby. Marilynn was ready to go at the hotel, so we lost no time navigating around Panama City on a series of divided four lane highways. The roads were great and there were no speed bumps, but there were many greedy police. We were stopped twice and bribes were openly solicited. I paid $10 to the first guy, and the second one gave up after some time with us pretending we didn't understand Spanish or know what he wanted. I had hoped to stop at a beach hotel for an ocean swim, but Marilynn was anxious to get to the Golfito free zone in Costa Rica so we continued on to Santiago Panama where the four lane road ended.. Wednesday, May 25, 2011 Miles for the day: 174 (280 km) Miles to date: 18,305 (29,459 km) We were up at 5 AM and underway well before dawn. The two lane road had broken pavement and potholes until David, then there was good four lane road to the border. We tried to find somewhere for breakfast along the way without success. The border crossing took 2 hours, mostly for paperwork to get the car into Costa Rica. When we eventually found a small place for breakfast it was 11 AM. We got the car washed and then registered at the free zone - it is necessary to register the day before purchases are made. We were delighted to see they had increased the allowance to $1,000 per person, as prices are very good. I sat around while Marilynn went through several of the 54 outlets, getting prices on things she will buy tomorrow. Finally we checked into the Sierra Hotel and swam in the pool. Thursday, May 26, 2011 Miles for the day: 192 (309 km) Miles to date: 18,497 (29,768 km) We were at the free zone when it opened at 8 AM so Marilynn could finish shopping and arrange shipping for our purchases. The drive home was five hours plus stops for lunch, gas and some essentials from a supermarket - we arrived about 5 PM. After a couple of drinks and a light supper we collapsed into bed. The car will now get some well deserved attention over the next couple of months, including a new paint job, some interior work and a general check over of the mechanics. In late July we should be ready to drive the final leg back to Canada through Central America, Mexico and the US.

Saturday, May 28, 2011 07:22:37

Rolls Alaska to Argentina & back: 34 Colon Panama to La Garita Costa Rica

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

*Miles for the day: 195 (314 km) Miles to date: 18,131 (29,179 km)*

We packed up everything ready to move out before Dania picked me up at 8:50 for more paperwork then a wait of over 1 ½ hrs in stifling heat on the loading dock waiting for the container. Everything moved at the pace of a handicapped snail - very different from Cartagena. When the container finally arrived and was opened there was a strong smell of gas and the car didn't start. I thought the small amount of gas left had evaporated, but I gave it one last try before going for gas and it started. Fortunately a gas station was nearby.

Marilynn was ready to go at the hotel, so we lost no time navigating around Panama City on a series of divided four lane highways. The roads were great and there were no speed bumps, but there were many greedy police. We were stopped twice and bribes were openly solicited. I paid $10 to the first guy, and the second one gave up after some time with us pretending we didn't understand Spanish or know what he wanted. I had hoped to stop at a beach hotel for an ocean swim, but Marilynn was anxious to get to the Golfito free zone in Costa Rica so we continued on to Santiago Panama where the four lane road ended..

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

*Miles for the day: 174 (280 km) Miles to date: 18,305 (29,459 km)*

We were up at 5 AM and underway well before dawn. The two lane road had broken pavement and potholes until David, then there was good four lane road to the border. We tried to find somewhere for breakfast along the way without success.

The border crossing took 2 hours, mostly for paperwork to get the car into Costa Rica. When we eventually found a small place for breakfast it was 11 AM. We got the car washed and then registered at the free zone - it is necessary to register the day before purchases are made. We were delighted to see they had increased the allowance to $1,000 per person, as prices are very good. I sat around while Marilynn went through several of the 54 outlets, getting prices on things she will buy tomorrow. Finally we checked into the Sierra Hotel and swam in the pool.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

*Miles for the day: 192 (309 km) Miles to date: 18,497 (29,768 km)*

We were at the free zone when it opened at 8 AM so Marilynn could finish shopping and arrange shipping for our purchases. The drive home was five hours plus stops for lunch, gas and some essentials from a supermarket - we arrived about 5 PM. After a couple of drinks and a light supper we collapsed into bed.

The car will now get some well deserved attention over the next couple of months, including a new paint job, some interior work and a general check over of the mechanics. In late July we should be ready to drive the final leg back to Canada through Central America, Mexico and the US.