Pedro’s knee had been feeling a little sore, so the hope was that a few days off in La Paz would give it a bit of time to recover. Unfortunately, that didn’t seem to be the case, so he set off first to go for a massage.
The ferry to the mainland leaves about 20km out of town, and with a ferry leaving at 2:30, we were told we had to be there by 1:30 at the latest. Mike and I rolled out around 10:30 and were doing fine until going up the first small climb and his gears started skipping. Thankfully, we had left with plenty of time and there weren’t too many hills that it didn’t cause much of an issue and we could enjoy the ride and the pretty bays and beaches we rode past.
About 5km before arriving at the ferry terminal, for some reason I was thinking about the things I’d forgotten during the trip and realised that my washbag was sat in the bathroom back at the hotel. Almost everything in it is easily replaceable, except for my razor, a Merkur HD. I considered doubling back, but it would have been a bit tight so I pushed on to the terminal.
Trying to find the passenger entrance was a test of my patience, which I failed quite miserably. Getting sent back and forth multiple times between two places that were a couple of minutes apart drove me batty. The security guys at both entrances were certain I should go to the other entrance and on my 4th attempt I just ignored them, went in and found myself where I was supposed to be. I leant my bike against a wall just as Mike pulled in and I shouted towards him as I ran off that I was going back to the hotel to find my washbag. He apparently didn’t hear me, but I was too focused on getting my washbag and returning in time.
I was on the main road, which was really not busy, and tried thumbing down some vehicles. A few waved and smiled at me, but kept going. A couple of minutes later, a guy pulled over and I was so happy. I asked him if he was going to La Paz and that I’d forgotten something in the hotel. He said he was and that I could come with him. I tried to use my horrific Spanish to have a conversation, but he seemed more intent on flying down the road like an F1 driver. I was impressed that I’d been able to thumb a lift so quickly and guessed that the guy used to be a taxi driver.
Arriving at the hotel, the driver asked me if I wanted him to wait, and I said sure. I ran in, into the room, which looked just as it had when we left, and found my washbag. I went back outside and found a taxi parked where I’d jumped out. I was a little confused and thought maybe it had been the car in front, but no that had no-one in. I made eye contact with the taxi driver and realised that I wasn’t an expert hitchhiker, I’d accidentally thumbed down a taxi. I got back in, looking a bit confused, and he drove me back to the ferry terminal, continuing to drive like … a taxi driver. I’m definitely not the most observant person.
I got back to the ferry terminal and met Mike who was standing round. I’d made it back before 1, there was plenty of time. Just before we boarded the ferry at 1:30, Pedro turned up, and we boarded the boat. Going through customs I got to press a button that gives you a green or red light depending on if they’re going to search your things or not. Fortune was smiling at me and I got a green light so the three of us were waved through and onto the ferry.
The ferry ride was fairly uneventful. I guess because it was a weekday, the vast majority of passengers were truckers. I used the time to catch up on my to-do list, including writing replies to all my unanswered e-mails. It wasn’t until later that I discovered that it had only saved two emails, meaning the few hours I spent writing the others was for nothing. I’m sure I’ll get round to writing them again soon.
We docked in Topolobampo at around 9, but were the last people allowed downstairs, so didn’t get off until closer to 10. We were in our third state, Sinaloa. Being on the mainland must have disoriented Pedro as he rode into a wall, although he tries to deny it. Thankfully, it was slow enough that he didn’t hurt himself and so all good for myself and Miguel to tease him about it.
Just boarded
Sunset
Comments on this entry are closed.