La Paz to Mazatlan via Ferry, 17 hours

While packing up from the dumpy Pension California, Keith ran up to tell us they’d just bumped into a couple from Australia that were passing through on their way to the US from Chile. It was great meeting blank and blank, they gave us a number of good tips and were kind enough to right a list of some of their favorite do not miss spots (including COLUMBIA!) Unfortunately we couldn’t chat long, we had a ferry to catch! We rushed off to Pichelingue to be “on time;” we were told to arrive at noon. We ended up hurrying up to wait until 4pm when our bikes were finally loaded. The positive side is, last on is first off! The ferry took at least 40 big rigs and cars before our bikes were finally put in. 4 hours of watching them load this ferry, and we had all of about 30 seconds to get our bikes on and strapped. Cross your fingers they don’t fall over!!! I am.

On the boat we met a number of interesting travelers. Lets see, there is the Czech dude who looks like a cross between Robin Williams and popeye who is riding his bicycle from Alaska to Tierra Del Fuego, 100miles/day. There is the Solo Angeles club member in all black leather riding a Honda Shadow for a 2 week 7,000 trip. There are the two british dudes (early 30s) cruising the Americas by Bus and bicycle.

Amie and I popped the $38 extra for the cabin. I could have done without, but its nice. Amie is sleeping (her motion sickness pills make her drowsy) and I’m catching up on the blog, some reading, and route planning. Also thinking about what we can do to lighten the load. Our rig was weighed in port today and we’re sitting at 300kg, I think that’s like 600lbs. + amie and I. Way to heavy for wet cobblestone roads and splitting lanes in Bolivia. I think we will send some of our camping gear to Sydney because realistically, hotels in south America are going to be cheap. We’ll probably ditch the stove too. We need to eat the 10lbs in food we are carrying too asap. I’d like to shake 50lbs off the bike by Panama.

Yewhh…. Its going to be a long night. Been on this ship 4 hours and already ready to get off. 13 hours to go!!!

Missing everyone today. Hope you all are well. Thanks for your love and support. We miss you.

Mrs. Doubtfire rides the world!

The Baja Team before taking our own Ferries

Dumpy place, but at least we had lobby parking