To start with, I got about 4-5 hours of sleep last night. The hotel/motel we were in did not have A/C. It was so hot and so humid that you laid spread eagle on the bed and didn't want anything touching because it would be just massively sweaty. But then the other element of fun injected itself (literally), the mosquitos. They were ravenous. So I had to put a sheet over me to close the Michael buffet that they were feasting on. Oh and lest I miss the other component of a good nights sleep... the giant black ants. As you finally get to sleep you feel something crawling on you. Yes, your friendly black ant in search of a meal as well. The tour people told us they had to change hotels and we were getting upgraded because the original hotel was not up to standards. How could the other one have been worse? Was it the Bates Motel?
Oh well, on to the day...
It was a good day of riding. 120 kilometers of rolling hills with 950 meters of climb. We started the day in a tropical downpour. The skies were so full of moisture that they could not hold it any longer. It poured for about an hour. And then you could see the moisture rising from the ground and coming up as fog from the valleys. It instantaneously recreated 100% humidity.
But the scenery was awesome in how it changed through the day. We started out at above coffee growing level and then descended to the tropical rain forest level. That section was gorgeous. The dense jungle was exactly like what you see in movies. It had the added eerie feel of the mist rising out of it. You expected to see Indiana Jones come bounding out of the brush. Then we came to the plantation and cattle ranch areas. And now we are in the hot and steamy river/swamp section. It feels like Memphis in July. You begin sweating profusely when you just blink. That's how much effort it takes to break into a healthy sweat. I can see why a siesta is a requirement.
This is where I am at now:
No photos today as I believe the morning tropical down pour has trashed my back up iPhone. That is Central America has scored two iPhones on this journey!
Only three more riding days remain.
Only 3 more days, I bet you are ready to come back home by now. Stay safe, and take the down hill rides with caution.
ReplyDeleteLuv pam and dan
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ReplyDeleteHow about the lady biker in the hospital?
ReplyDeleteMike, your trip has had everything! Bikes, bites, bugs and bandits. Had you spent your money on a new bike, it would not have been in your account to steal. Lesson learned, I hope. Always drain your account with a new bike before you depart... We remain in awe of you doing this trip. Regards, Scott.
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