[30/10/2024 – 06/11/2024[

Our Last Week – Whenever You Read IT

This is it, the last leg of our journey, and while in the past – slow – weeks we have already started to reminisce about our journey it hits much much more once we I saw the silhouette of Manhattan´s skyline.
Things that came to mind. The road from Tecka (Argentina) to Chaiten (Chile), traffic in La Paz and Lima. The fact and luck that we not once needed any sort of insurance. We only had 3 breakdowns, and all of them were due to flat tires.
When we got to talk to people we often got asked what we liked most, but honestly, with all the different things we experienced it is really difficult to say what we like most. For me personally two nights stand out above all others. The first one is, the one we spent at the hot springs in “Reserva Nacional de Fauna Andina Eduardo”, skinny dipping at ~4000 m with starry skies is just something else. The second night that stood out was at summit lake at the Alaska Highway, as the polar lights we saw that night, were the most intense, especially if one considers that initially i have been rather skeptical about spending the night there in the tent. Other then that this trip as a whole was just one big adrenaline rush, be it with all the border crossings (how time consuming will they be), running from authorities in Costa Rica (of sorts) after the accident (where I got rear ended). And then ending the journey in New York City which for me is a place of longing. And yes New York City will survive the next four years as well.
After all of that the homecoming was rather special being greeted by Manuela and AK which was unexpected but more then welcome. Currently I am a bit unsure how long i ll be needing to readjust myself to living at home. But to all of you that have followed us through 49 weeks of traveling the Americas, rest assured even though this is the end of transmission for the Panamerican Highway, this is not the end of transmission period.

Wednesday: New London – New York City

Our last day of riding is here. Well not exactly, as tomorrow we have to drop of the bikes, but that is just 40 km. We start the day with a ferry ride to Long Island, and the guys on the ferry suggested that we stay with the motorcycles as there was supposed to be a bit of a swell further out. Bullshit and after 45 min i decided that i go and enjoy the sun and the views from the upper deck … good decision. One last perfect day for a ride. Sunshine all around an the temperatures were well above 20°C. Had our lunch break at the Sunken Meadow state park. Enjoyed that quite a bit and due to today being Tuesday, it was not overly crowded, could imagine that that would be way different on weekends.
Reaching New York City and seeing the Manhattan Skyline for the first time from afar was quite an emotional moment. And so was the second time. The realization that this is it, we have reached the end of our journey.
On the other hand we had still a few days to be spent in New York City and i am looking forward to revisit the city again. The first mega city i have ever set foot in. Country pumpkin that i was way back when at the age of 16. The rest of the evening was spent with repacking and a bit of coursing because of it. Oh and we did find an all american diner, with good food and reasonable prices, definitely among the best culinary experiences we had in the US.

Thursday: NYC

40 km New York morning traffic, and we planned a detour via the Brooklyn Bridge. Well took almost half an hour for the 10 km to Brooklyn Bridge but it was worth it. We did use two lanes of the bridge, slightly blocking it, but no honking and the following cars actually kept their distance, that was a pretty cool moment. The rest down to the shipping center was uneventful and fast. Drop off itself was unpretentious, and somewhat anticlimactic, let’s see if and when we will see them again. Went back to the hotel and after a little nap started the sightseeing, as usual walking most of it. Roosevelt Island, Central Park, Times Square Upper East Side.

Friday: NYC

Midtwon Manhatten, Union Station, Battery Park, Staten Island, East Village

Saturday: NYC

Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Sunday: NYC

Champaign breakfast in bed, i mean we really had an absolute amazing view of Manhattan´s skyline, and afterwards we went to the New York Giants vs. Washington Commanders. It has been an experience, but all in all i d rather go to a soccer game then american football again. With all the little breaks in between that feels more like a cricket game.
The tailgating pre-game parties though are quite interesting public drinking, even though the question is, how public is a stadion parking lot ;-). Giants lost 22 – 27.
Last stroll over Times Square down to the High Line into the Meatpacking District. Back to the diner for dinner and a last look at the skyline from bed.

Monday: New York City – Somewhere over the Atlantic

Well flight day, nothing else to say about it.

Tuesday: Somewhere over the Atlantic – Frankfurt/Munich

It was a very pleasant flight i have to say. In Munich i was greeted by Manuela and AK, which was a very welcome surprise.

Stefan and i took separate flights as it is easier for him to get home from Frankfurt then from Munich. And his homecoming was much more troublesome as he missed his train twice by just 1 or 2 minutes, as the previous train was delayed. Once home he got his Honda Rebel up and running and went grocery shopping with it 😉
My first German kilometers will have to wait a bit.

Anyway we are home now after 342 days of being abroad.

This is it – Panamerican Highway 2024 EOT
Till next time
Happy Hacking Everyone