 On our way back home. Today we departed Panama City to ride the most spectacular roads into Costa Rica. We rode along side the ocean unlike the way down where we rode through the highest elevations of the mountains. To be honest, the mountains offered nicer views as the foliage was far superior to look at. The ocean side is wonderful because it was raining. The rains are so hard here that even our most experience rider, our guide, does not recommended riding in the rain with those rains. We crossed the border and it was really easy, Ben and I were done in an hour. On the other hand, one of the guys lost a piece of paper so they fined him $150 dollars and kept him for hours while we waited. On the way down, a police officer stopped us as we were riding 92 kilometer in a 40 kilometer zone. There are no posted signs on these roads, so who would know that. So, after our guide paid him a chunck of cash, he let us all go and says, be careful and go slow as there are more cops down the road waiting for your money... While we were waiting for our friend, Ben and I decided to move our bikes next to the restaurant. We don't like to leave our bikes at the border crossing alone as that is where they steal them. So, Ben struggled with his bike enduro bike in the parking lot as there were huge wet rocks. Then, I tried it and sure enough, the rocks grabbed by bike and it landed on the ground. It was so funny, as all I could do was jump off the bike and start laughing. Of course there is always men that run over to help me . They were chocked at my reaction. All I could do was laugh, looking at my bike sideways on the ground.  We rode about 400+ miles today in the rain. It gets dark here around 5 pm and bugs come out. While riding in the pitch black, I had my shield open because it was fogging up. As a result a bug decided to get into my eye. They call the bugs "bichos" as they urinate once they strike. So the bug decided to urinate in my eye and it is the most painful thing. Locals have felt the sting and agree how horrible it is once it occurs. The pain is worse than a bee sting. We stopped at the closest restaurant and I asked for ice to soothe my eyes. One of the cowboys suggested I take a picture to share...... the cowboys are all having fun with me because of my riding skills. They have never met a woman as courageous as I am on the road. They say I am fearless and ride better than them.  At the restaurant, one of the cowboys ordered this seafood soup so he recommended it. Look at it next to my arm. It was loaded with fresh seafood, crabs etc..... I ate it because I was starving, but the pain in my eye was horrible and I could not truly enjoy that amazing soup, bummer!!  While we were riding, our guide and girl friend pull over to buy some of the local fruit. They have these little fruits with a pit inside. I grabbed one and did not know I was not supposed to eat the pit. Of course, I was the joke of the day for the cowboys because I ate the pit. Who knew!! The fruit was delicious. The boys feasted on this fruit. I call these guys cowboys as the truly are, they ride next to each other, hand each other some fruit and keep riding and eating. Ben and I cannot do that as our riding skills are good but not good enough to do that kind of riding. How can you ride at 40 mph, reach over, grab something from another rider, open the complicated fruit, eat it and keep riding? I was next to one of the guys and he kept throwing the skin to the side, he rides a huge Valkerie, beautiful bike.  When I get thirsty, I ride next to our guide leader and tell him I need a drink. He usually stops at one of the many truck vendors to get me coconut water.  One of the cowboys is happy for me. Mario, Latin American Motorcycle Association President and founder, gave all of us an award.
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