It was always going to be a late start as Lindsay's bike had to be collected from KTM before we could leave. We sorted out a few bits and bobs and hoped he would return before lunch. About 12.30pm he was back so the pack upstarted all being a bit out of practise, it has been quite a while since we have been on the bike on route some where. Ready to leave about 1.30pm it started to rain, not just a few little drops but a torrential down pour , thunder lightening and hail. Left us all shaking our heads and thinking how can this be, this is South America. We had to start some time so we donned our rain gear and set out. Bogota traffic is infamous for lots of reasons the most resent is the traffic jams. With rain hammering down the roads flooded very quickly the traffic to a stand, still we are stuck in the middle of it. We covered about 1 mile in an hour ,2.5 hours to escape the city the rain continued so by then we are totally soaked through. My new rain jacket was some help but water always finds a way to seep through.

Still sitting in traffic and running out of fuel we pull in for a break. It is mid afternoon and it is getting dark rain seems to be easing a slight bit. Once out of the city we start climbing up in to the mountains. Once again we are amazed by the scenery. The road is a toll road however it looks just like a main road going through the jungle, with fauna and flora hanging perilously over the road. Land slips are again fairly common with the amount of rain it is hardly surprising. We thought this was going to be a motorway? There are police and army check points at about every town. The army wave and give the thumbs up, however the police look on sternly. We are told later in the day that the Army is were treated and respected however this is not the case for Police and that they are not trusted.

Climb still higher as the road runs right along the hill top edges allowing us amazing vertical views down hundreds of feet in to the valleys below us. The mountain sides are covered in lush jungle vegetation intermingled with coffee plantation and palms. The sun sets behind the mountains and we still have a way to go although we do not loose the light too quickly.

After a amazing bumpy descent in the dark we arrive in Honda. The hotel was supposedly by the bridge. The town was having hundreds of people and bike everywhere. We try to get some directions but it seems it could be in a few places. One guy tried to get us to take a room at the supermarket. Fortunately Lindsay's GPS suddenly found its way and we had some directions again. Round a couple of corners we had arrived. Whitewashed building tucked away off the main road. We are greeted at the front door by a really friendly guy who started to check us in. In Colombia everyone checking in has to log their passport details. In some places ID is enough but not here. As we sorted our bags a guy called out " Mr Richardson I hope you had a good ride." Surprised to hear english we look up, to see a guy holding out his hand out to shake everyone's. Tom takes a second and then exclaims he can not believe it. the guy was the BMW Service director Emilo Garcia who had helped him in Bogota incredible. What are the chances of that.