THE END.. 11-08-2010

(original post made on the 11th August)

Hello dear friends!!

Sorry for not posting in the last days. Everything is OK.

We finally crossed the border to Bolivia some days ago and we entered into a new world... The phone never worked again, no Internet available in any place (only in La Paz, that we've crossed almost non-stopping), almost no asfalt roads...

The last days were really intense, waking-up very early, driving a lot in the most poorest roads (meaning non-asfalt with a lot of sand, pushing the motos, high mountains), lots of breaks in the motos (and crazy fixings, using a lot of tape!), driving at night to recover some time, some stress with road bloks and no petroil available at the stations (we had to buy it from the locals paying much more than the normal price and even so very (very!) hard to find!

We've crossed amazing places, experienced a lot of different sensations, interacted with many locals (I would say we almost become one of them, slept in their houses, have been invited to celebrate and participate in the local parties and parades), we even gave some TV interviews and attracted curiosity wherever we've been. Some high points were the Yuni salar, the Bolivian clifs (hard but very funny driving with lots of adrenalin!!). I can't post now any photos or videos (very slow connection..) but will do when posible (real cool photos and driving videos will come...!!!)

Well, we've finally made it to the boarder of Argentina yesterday night and were planning to cross it this morning. We were pushing hard these last days in order to get to Asuncion on schedule (meaning we would have to make 1200 Km in two and a half days). BUT... again, admin issues appeard. The papers from the mototaxis that we have are not good for the argentinian custom! After intensive talkings with police and the head of the custom there was no chance we could cross the border today (the new papers could take a couple of days that we don´t have any more (if we want to catch the flight back home on time, and we really do).

So, Ugatuga (and 10 more teams) decided to leave the mototaxis behind and grab a bus to our destination. We've made almost 1.800 amazing Km and spent a real good time in the last days. But the paperworks don't allow us to do it on the planned schedule. :( So, being flexible (as always on this trip), quick adapt to uncertain issues and quick (and some tough) real time decisions. Makes part of this challenge. Beside from not being able to get the mototaxis to Asuncion as planned the feeling is very good (as we've made the best part of the trip and these 2 and half days would be only asfalt roads only driving, driving and more driving!). We've left the motos at the boarder town of Villazon (bolivian side), in a local church (so, yep... our lovely mototaxis are now "in God's hands..."!) and the guys from The Adventurists (the "disorganiors") will hopefully pick them up in the following weeks and give us our deposit back (or part of it).

So, that's it. We, and the other 20 guys that made it to here made a special "arrival" party (meaning some beers at the border!!) and we will now try to get to Iguazu to take our flight back home (in fact, we will have some more time to actually make some activities there).

I will keep you updated, hopefully with some nice photos on the next post!

Have fun!

Beijinhos e abracinhos,

Lena & Goncalo
Ugatuga team