Thanks!

A huge thanks to everyone who supported our orphan cause... You have helped make a difference!
If you would like to continue to help kids in need, check out what the top people at Orphans Aid International are doing around the globe: www.orphansaidinternational.org

Live the dream and help people while you're at it!
Josh and Craig

The end!

After riding over 33000k's, passing through 14 countries, spending 4 months to the day on the road, breaking down a few times, crashing a couple of times each, dropping the bikes countless times, eating - sleeping - and breathing; the road south, meeting some amazing people, seeing some unreal sights and creating unforgettable memories.... We rolled into Ushuaia, the southern most city in the world!

Long way south

We finished the swings for the kids, and spent some time hanging out with them. We have created some awsome memories during the trip, but the smiles on those kids faces will be with us for a lifetime!
Then it was on into Bolivia, a tour involving pink flammingoes and epic salt flats!
Back on the bikes through crazy canyons and seemingly endless corregations and sand.
And into Argentina!!
5000ks until Ushuaia!!!

Machu Picchu

While concrete set and paint dried at the orphanage, we took some time out to head to Machu Picchu! A brilliant couple of days!
It was quite an adventure getting there, we rode our motorbikes as far as possible along some pretty rough tracks crawling with crazy drivers and unorganized road works.
After this it was a cruisy 11k wander up the valley, then a 4am start and there it was!
Absolutely amazing setting, and really cool ruins!
The trip back was a little more exciting with roadworks holding us up for hours, so we ended up riding most of the way in the dark.
A very foggy pass left us following the centre line and hoping for the best!
All in all a great excursion, and now it's time to head back to the orphanage and finish the swings!

Volunteering!

So Peru is not just one big desert after all... we made it to Cusco, a beautiful city surrounded by mountains and famous for Machu Pechu.
Its a great place and made even better by the fact that its here, in association with Orphans Aid International, we are volunteering at an Orphanage!
Its called the Hogar, and its a girls orphanage with 21 kids!
They range in age from 6 upwards and are mainly still primary school aged.
The majority are in the orphanage because their parants are alcoholics and have abandoned them.
They are absolutely gorgeous kids, with beaming smiles, and its uncomprehendable to us how one could trade such precious lives for the bottle.
Having spent a little time there, we have decided that we want to build them a playground area with some swings and jungle gym bars.
We are also doing some general maintenance around the facility.
All of this is pretty costly!! So if you would like to help out with the project, your donations would be greatly appreciated!
And a huge thanks to everyone who has already given, soon we will have some pics up of what you have given towards!

Desert Problema!

We didnt realise that coastal Peru is just one big flippin desert!
So we were riding through a shingle road in the middle of nothing but wind swept sand and freezing wind when Craigs bike died... and I mean really wasnt goin anywhere!
We waved down a pickup, and met yet another prime example of exceptionally kind people! The guys on board helped us load on, then drove Craigs bike for about 7hours through the dessert to Lima. I was following, desperately trying not to lose them, as they raced along at 130ks per hour in the dark! There was one stop where they had to pay off some Policia for their excessive speeding habit! They shouted us dinner and dropped us where we were staying! And wouldent except a cent from us!
Today was spent between the internet and the tool box, as we worked to try and figure the problem... after stripping and reassembling a good part of the entire bike, we found it had skipped a couple of teeth on the cam timing chain.
This adjusted, it was away! And we are living in hope that theres not somthing more sinister that caused it to happen in the first place!

Middle Earth!

Today we stood in the middle of the world... and i guess we have officially made it over half way from the top of the world to the bottom!
Crossing the equator in Equador was a cool experience, there were people there trying all sorts of balance and strengh tricks, which apparantly alter when you are on the equator. Personally I find it hard to believe that standing on the equator line or two meters to the left or right of it, is going to make any difference!
But people were buying the theory without question, so good on them. And its amazing how one looses their balance when they are told they are going to!
Equador seems like a great place tho, lovely people and really cheap food and fuel! $1.50 per gallon!!!
And we didnt get kidnapped in Colombia, not even a close call, almost dissapointing!!! But will probly keep our mothers happy!

South America!

The boat didnt sink... the bikes didnt fall into the briny... and we made it to Colombia!
The yacht trip turned out to be a real highlight of our trip so far, we spent five days in total, 3 sailing and 2 cruising in the sanblas islands north of the Darien. What an amazing place! Beautiful white sand beaches, coconut palms, super clear carribean water, epic snorkeling, bonfires on the beach, smoked fish, phosfluorescents, stars, lightening shows... what more could one ask for??
Colombia seems great, they say that two thirds of the worlds kidnappings occur here... but strangely it feels really safe!
Its a beautiful country, with winding roads through the Andes mountain range, jungle, cool architecture and lovely people.

Panama!

Well it would seem we have successfully navigated Central America!
Currently we are in Panama and making our way towards the port we sail from.
Costa Rica was amazing, especially the Carribean side, where our Bob Marley friends were once again hanging out!
The border into Panama was intresting with a huge and dodgy bridge, but otherwise easy in the scheme of border crossings.
Now its check out the canal! And all going to plan, hop on a sail boat... South America here we come!

Corrupt cops...

Well we have defnitely made some progress through countries!
From Belise we took a boat to Guatemala, a really good experience, but dissapointing when they ripped us off with extra charges for the bikes, before they would unload them!
Then on to Hondurous, we stayed with an awsome missionary family in San Juan, then on south on reasonable roads, but with the most awful and inconsiderate drivers we had ever come accross! Happy to be alive!
After this it was into Nicoragua... home of the worlds scummiest policeman, they gave us all tickets in one day, for rediculous offences!
We have finally heeded advice given a long time ago, and made a heap of fake drivers licences! (Should have listened there Mark!)
And now Costa Rica... beach, palms, beautiful jungle... but it is the rainy season! And we have had to ride in the heaviest rain I have ever seen in my life!!
All in all, everything is brilliant tho!

Yaa Mun!

So we made it out of Mexico and into the fine country of Belise!
What a place... huge jamaican influence... everyone looks and sounds like Bob Marley!
Waiters approach, and say "Sup mun, what can I get for you my brothers?" in their slow jamaican accent!
Its Awsome!
Were in a little hotel on the carribean... its hot, the waters amazing and "every little thing is gona be alrite"!

Verarcruz - Mexico!

After riding everyday since leaving Colorado... its time for a rest day! We are hanging out with a friend in Verarcruz. Its really cool here! Beautiful beaches, awsome culture, great people, nice food, awsome house to stay in!
Muy bien!
Nice to be off the bikes for a bit, the heat is pretty hard going on a bike, especially around town, where there is not the air movement to keep things comfy.

Life in Mexico...!

Wow, its been an interesting couple of days so far in Mexico.
After an easy border crossing, involving the normal confusion, money and waiting we were on our way.
We spent our first nite at a rundown resort town. On leaving a restaurant in the dark, we turned the wrong way up a one way st... unfortunately the Policia saw...
A lot of negotiating and 300pesos (30bucks) later we were off.
Random semi trailers burning on the side of the road, getting sick off every meal we eat, epic car accidents in tropical down-pours... its all good times!
The people really are awsome though, really helpful and friendly and super accomadating of our lack of spanish... which is improving quickly.

Hot hot hot!

Its been an eventful couple of days... Craig decided to drop his bike at about 30ks per hour... an unfortunate one really, a whole lot of water running down the side of the road had turned to algae, and was super slippery. With temperatures in the mid 30's, he thought hooning through that would be quite nice, which it would have been if the bike didnt end up on its side with his leg under it, grinding up the road! Thankfully lots of protective gear payed off, and he was fine, so it was a couple of hours in a nearby garage with a big hammer, and we were back on the road!!
Were heading for Tucson, and the Mexican border, should make it there tomorrow.
Meanwhile, its boiling hot! We stop at streams and soak our clothes... and suffer!

Colorado!

We had an outstanding ride back through Yellowstone Nat Park, and down through Teton Nat Park!
Absolutely amazing areas... heaps of wildlife everywhere...
A couple of big days saw us in Rocky Mountain Nat Park- Colorado.
Rode our bikes to over 12,000 feet. Huge thunderstorms and dumping hail on top... good times!
A quick stop in Denver for tyres.
Now hangin out in Frisco with a kiwi mate... I dont have to repeat myself 3 times!
From here, its lookin like a bit of a blast down to the mexico border!

Glacier - Yellowstone Nat parks

We happened to arrive in Glacier Nat park on the afternoon they opened the road through the centre of it for the year!
What an awsome ride! huge snow banks on either side of the road.
A few snow fights, a lot of traffic congestion and some epic scenery... we were on our way again.
Lots of ks, and we made it to Yellowstone, what a place!
Incredible!
Staying in Cody with friends who are treating us to beds, hot showers, and delicious food... could be hard to leave!
Quite a bit to do on the bikes- new chains, sprockets, some welding and a bit of rebolting...

To America!

The Rockies have been amazing! What a place! Rode the icefields highway and the bow valley park way... incredible!
Walked up onto the Columbia icefield and started a new trend... with a million people following in our footsteps... hope no one disappeared into a cravasse??
Sorted out a few things in Canmore, like caribiners, sleeping bag liners, insurance rubbish, bank stuff, drink system bladders and other equally unexciting yet expensive issues!
Tomorrow will leave for Glacier National Park and America!

The Rockies!

After a few back to back 700k days, with very sore backsides and disorientated with the entire concept of riding a motorbike... we made it down through the Yukon, BC and into Alberta... and the beginning of the Rockies... Jasper.
Suddenly life is all better again! A days rest at some hot pools in the mountains, great people, great camp fire guitar sessions and great walks.
The next few days will consist of cruising down through the rockies and making tho most of mountains, lakes, bush, glaciers... pretty much all the good things!

Arctic attempt

We decided to have a crack at heading to the Arctic circle as a side day trip.
Got 40ks into what would have been an 850km return journey.
It started pouring with rain, the road was made of glacial silt with an oil bed... a random way of making it float on the swamp prarie, this turns to mud!
With bikes sledging and fishtailing at 90kph, a chain which had dropped a couple of o'rings, freezing even tho wearing every piece of clothing we carried and a deteriorating forcast, we decided somtimes you have to call it a day and turn back.
So we will continue south towards the rockies from Dawson city, which is a time warp town, where im sure an old prospector with a beard down to his waist will step out of the bushes with his gold pan at any moment!

Denali highway

The day started with a side trip up to see Mt Denali, the largest mountain in Nth America.
Really stoked because its clouded in most of the time, and the weather was rubbish... but we got a sweet window!
After that we rode the Denali highway, 250ks of gravel! Lots of fun!
And we both managed to drop our bikes on their side!! But both rediculous situations, Craig was wheeling his forward, and lost it... I was looking under it and over balanced it!
They are SOOO heavy with all our gear!
All good tho, as long as no speed is involved.
Back into Canada tomorrow!

Alaska

Well we made it to the start line!
After doing a few back to back 7 and 800k days, heading up through the Yukon, we crossed into Alaska, and made our way to Anchorage.
People here seem amazing, a top guy by the name of Tom who knows everything about KLR motorbikes, had our bikes to pieces in his garage... and we found some broken parts drifting around in the cam chain housing!
A common problem and easily fixed, we were riding again.
Had an amazing ride out the Kenai peninsula, over a snow covered pass, past glaciers... through mountains and bush.
Tomorrow we start for Denali... the tallest mountain in Nth America.
Then its throught the Denali highway... (a shingle road) and onto the top of the world highway... on down into Canada.
We have seen Grizzlys and Blacks, moose, otters, oowls, wolves, wild horses... its AMAZING!
Next stop- Dawson city.

Northbound!

I cant really find words to describe how awsome yesterday was... riding from Vancouver we headed up through Squarmish, Whistler and on through Loolieout (no idea how to spell that) on some of the most amazing roads in the world!
Incredible mountains, valleys, forrest, lakes, snow, waterfalls and towering rock walls!
Its unbelievable how beautiful it is!
We camped next to an alpine lake, surrounded by woods, and with a deer running around just out of camp.
Today we are continuing north to Prince George and possibly further...

Heading North!

After two weeks of mayhem trying to get the bikes all sorted... we are finally ready to hit the road!
Leaving Vancouver island by ferrie, in a couple of hours we ride north via Whistler and Prince George for Alaska!
Super excited to hit the road!
A huge thanks to Warren at CI WELDING, Parksville, Vancouver island for his generosity, in letting us use his workshop and materials to set the bikes up.
Without it, things would not have been possible!

Working off our debts!

After spending a few days working flatout on the bikes, we decided to take a break and go riding!
We rode for hours through logging and ATV tracks, it was awsome! Brilliant scenery, cool as tracks, and our bikes proved really capable off road.
Not quite a dirt bike, but not bad at all.
Saw deer on the side of the road, and a baby black bear started to run out on the road in front of us!
Fun was elusive today tho.
In return for the use of the workshop and heaps of materials, we are doing a couple of days engineering work.
Spent the day working on a huge dumper trailer, that looked like it had been dragged out of a medieval cave and directly to the workshop... many hours of grinding...
its still a rust bucket!
Maybe tomorrow will change that.

Engineering!

Were hanging out on Vancouver island at a engineering shop, owned by a kiwi, who is pretty much the best dude ever... We have full use of the workshop and any materials we like!!!
Lots to do, but huge progress today.
Bash bars, highway pegs, pannier mounts, heated hand grips, bark guards, reversing oil leeks, fixing parts we broke... finished up at midnite... need shut eye!

Vancouver!

We are finally in Vancouver!!
Half our luggage went missing... for a day... then showed up... luckily it was Craigs (this is Josh!!)
Picked up our first bike yesterday, jumped on it and burned up the road in jandals and no helmet, realised I was on the wrong side of the road...!
Craigs off to Canmore to pick up our second bike, he left at midnite, I dropped him off hours early, but about an hour before the bus left, he realised he had left all his riding gear in the car... subsequently I made a huge dash into Van city, was in a huge rush to try catch the bus, may have made an illegal manouver rite in front of a cop, he musnt have noticed. pulled into the bus station as the bus was pulling out, managed to stop it... things are looking good!

Packing!!!

Flying tomorrow!
Currently trying to eliminate gear from a huge pile in the hope of somhow fitting it into panniers!
Do I really need a sleeping bag?? probably considering I will be camping for months...
That 2nd pair of underpants???....

NZ Prep!!

So currently we are burning the candle, working day and nite to get the logistical battle under control!
Paperwork... spend money... paperwork... spend money its a vicious circle!!!
Cant wait to be sitting on that plane!
Everything seems to be coming together tho. Bring on Vancouver!