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Again, I can’t believe I ran into three young guys from Munich, West Germany. They road their bicycles more than 17,500km from Germany to Panama City they are heading to Rio de Janeiro for the Olympics later this year. The video showed the nice hostel they were staying at while in Panama City. This is an email I received from them today is unedited: Hey the reason why we camped so much in the last 10 month. Is not just too save the money for hotel. It’s even nice to have your own stuff (mattress sleeping bag also) another imported point is, to feel the nature.. Go sleeping with the sunset and get up with the sunrise.... The ride all started for them on April 27th 2015 in Munich. The countries they have travelled through so far are: Germany, France, England, Scotland, Iceland, North America, Alaska, Canada, USA , Mexico, Cuba, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and now Panama.  The Trio For Rio in Panama City Panama.. Translated from German to English on google: blog from their website at the start of their trip: Looking for new goals came us an idea of what has become more concrete in recent months and the decision has been made:
We radl'n to the Olympic Games to Rio de Janeiro in 2016! Our Baden-Württemberg government says yes: "We can do everything except speak High German!" So it is for us: On 01 May 2015 we go! From Munich, we want to ride our native Swabia Rottenburg-Hailfingen and birthplace Tübingen via France, England to Scotland. There goes on May 26, the plane from Glasgow to Reykjavik. In Iceland, the aircraft starts on 7 June 2015 in accordance with Anchorage, Alaska, from where we should lead the longest street in the world, the legendary Pan-American, to Tierra del Fuego. The last stage is ultimately to Brazil, where we hope to arrive in time for the Olympic Games in Rio. All in all, a nearly 30,000 km long, adventurous and fun-full travel. Their goal is to get to see the Olympic Games in Brazil, plus my other three friends, two from Canada Kyle and Jaryd and Ade from California as well as Sandro Reiter , Julian Schmieder and Nicolas Schmieder all need help to achieve their riding goals. Please donate to Team North America or team Europe (German) Just click the blue link. Now we have three countries involved in donations to these six amazing riders. Let’s see what country can raise the most. Just like our own Olympics between three counties (let the games begin) by donating. The German guys website TrioForRio Jaryd and the boys website TheHustle These six young men are all winners. Let’s help them with their goals and make their country proud. Pete Montgomery with three amazing German’s TravelCheapWithPete.com
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Sometimes I like to do things different, start backwards and still get the results I want...2/21/2016  The view from the hostel, my favorite office tower. A couple years ago I was searching for a good bed to buy , but could not find what I really wanted. I ended up buying the sheets first, then the bed came to me afterwards…. I have been trying to get old faithful (my campervan) from Panama to Miami for about a week and a half, with no luck. Rather than spending time frustrating over shipping my campervan, I went out and bought a flight to Miami. I truly believe that old faithful will follow me there okay, and she will probably get there before I do…..  I can see it now Panama Pete's Hostel Wow, how fate has kept me here in Panama. After my campervan left for Miami, I got a great deal on a hostel that someone was trying to sell. I am looking to buy it with a Panamanian friend. To complete the purchase, I require a Panamanian partner as I am not a resident or of landed immigrant status. The hostel purchase is so good that I have two Panamanians interested in investing with me. I need to urgently choose one of them. So, guess what, I am going to work backwards again! First, I build the website, knowing that a good partner will come forward with me to take over this Hostel. You can search this hostel at PanamaPetesHostel.com. I have regrets about old faithful leaving. Looks like I have to start this new business off now, here in Panama without transportation….
Throwing it out there, I’ve been looking for my future ex wife for years? I think I have to start losing the (ex) part?... lol.. The Universe moves in mysterious ways (love it , live it). Pete Montgomery from PanamaPeteHostel.com and TravelCheapWithPete.com
I wrote many times before about the patience required while driving in Panama City. Problems included major traffic jams, noise. Continual horn honking and being aggressively aware to move when you see an opening! Now I want to talk a little more about patience. I contacted six insurance companies because I needed insurance to extend my campervan permit. As well, I needed a passport stamp for the van every month while I was in Panama. I tried contacting five shipping companies to send my van to Miami, what seemed like a simple matter. Can you believe only 1 insurance company and two shipping companies got back to me? It seems that no one wants to make the effort to help me out and make some money. I have never experienced anything like this before. I have been working nonstop for a week and a half now trying to get my campervan to Miami. I realize that some of the frustration it is my own fault, because I don’t understand Spanish. I thought that the only thing required was to get quotes from shipping companies, until, I arrived at port. Surprise, they told me I needed a police clearance. As well, I had to hire a custom broker (agent) for $450.00 U.S. I tried to find a cheaper way. I found out that if I get the police clearance on my own, I could save $300.00. So I did! Patience, it’s an all day thing. First thing in the morning, I had to go to an inspector who checked the vin # and the motor # make sure nothing is stolen. By 2:00 pm, I was required to go to the National police where the inspector confirmed the information was all correct. Wow, I was ready to go. All this happened a few days before Carnival, Panama’s national holiday.. No agents work before or during Carnival and the ship leaves Wednesday. Carnival ends Tuesday, and more broker delays of course. As well, I had no idea the police clearance expired after 7 days, another delay repeating the police application. In my mind, I look at things like they are meant to be! So be it! I had a lot of great experiences and met some good people at the police station. First time there, I met three motor cycle drivers who were from Vancouver, Europe and the United States. The second time around, I met two more bikers who were from Alberta and Vermont. Their mission was to get their motor cycles to Columbia. I also met a young family who bought a motor home in Miami and were taking it home to Argentina. Conclusion, if the campervan isn’t shipped this week, I am going to either sell it or l am not going home to Canada. I am going to stay in Panama, my new home for sure! It’s meant to be?
I was a bit frustrated, so I decided to just take a holiday away from it all. I travelled to stay with a nice couple I met while staying at the last resort (hostel). They invited 83 year old backpacker Bob, and myself, over to their place. Kim and Ken are from Ottawa, and they house sit in two counties Costa Rica and Panama, anywhere warm. While there, I took them over to visit other friends of mine, Jim and Derrick from Toronto. As well, we visited big Johnny Calgary who lives in that massive condo an hour from Panama City. Kim and Ken allowed Bob and I a free room I got to sleep in the van (old faithful) again and they let me cook spaghetti dinner for everyone! Happiness can develop from patience! I lost my phone a couple of weeks ago, so if you have sent me a message on whatsapp I have not received it and I will not set up whatsapp until I get home. My number right now is country code 507-6564-9586 and I hope to have a US number a week Thursday if the van makes it to Miami next week. Pete Montgomery TravelCheapWithPete.com |
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