Here are some correspondence
between Remus and Chris & Erin Ratay that Remus
has forward : from Remus:
Here's another
picture and a link to the ultimate journey site
that has a couple of picture where you can catch
a glimpse of me. http://ultimatejourney.com/chap137.html
In the New Year picture I am the one in he sky
blue shirt all the way in the back. Also, make
sure you read the story Chris forwarded to me
below. Have a good weekend. From: "Chris & Erin
Ratay" To: Remus Preda Subject: Re: Costa Rica
Date: Fri, 10 Jan 2003 10:07:30 -0600 Hola Mate!
We did only southern Peru, not the north and
not Ecuador. Chris and Simi did these Lots of
recommendations for S.Peru, Bolivia, Argentina,
and Chile -- let us know if you want info. Updating
our site as we write this -- if you look really
close, you can see your mug :-) Attached a separate
photo my dad got of you...
Don't drown --
here is a note from a friend from just the other
day (Laos on a R1150GS >Today I did something
really stupid. > >Arrived in Laos yesterday
and had 200kms of dirt to do >today to get across
to a town on the 'main' drag. >160kms on and
everything is going well. The conditions >are
perfect and I'm really having fun riding this
>beautiful dirt track. I get to the umpteeth
river >crossing and it's another long one which
I can't see >the bottom of. I am just about
to get off the bike for >a look when to the
left I see a disused log bridge 2m >above the
water. The last few meters of planks are >missing
but I think I can ride it on the logs at the
>side. Too lazy to get off the bike again. So
I start >off but decide to stop half way for
a look. I put my >foot down but the plank just
falls away and before I >know it I'm falling
of the bike, helmet first into the >river. For
a split second I think the bike has somehow
>managed to stay on the bridge but then there's
a big >splash and the bike tumbles in on my
back. The water >was only about 18 inches deep
but I find myself >pressed to the bottom face
down. I really struggle >hard but can't get
free and then I think I am going to >drown.
I put my hands under my chest and with all my
>strength I do a big press up and stretch my
neck as >far as I can. My helmet is still full
of water and I >don't know whether to try for
a breath. I have to, but >as well as some water
I also get some air. I cough it >out and push
up again. This time it's all air, so it's >back
under water and I manage to get a knee up and
>twist out from under the bike. I can't describe
the >feeling! I was so elated. The bike is upside
down in >the river but still running. I get
the bike up, and >feel that soon it's going
to hurt. I work to get the >bags and boxes up
on the bank, have a quick look to >the bike
- the clocks and mirrors are damaged and the
>rack is broken, a few marks but it all looks
OK. I use >the remaining adrenalin to dig a
track up the river >bank and then wait for help.
After 45 mins 2 men turn >up on a rotorvator,
and after laughing their heads off >we set to
to drive and push the bike up the bank. I >tip
all the water out of the boxes and my boots
and >slowly strap everything back to the bike.
I give the >guys 10 dollars each, a lot, but
I feel so grateful to >still be here I could
have made it 100. > >So tonight I have a 3rd
arse cheek growing on my back >and I ache everywhere
else. The bike will be OK. >Nothing I can't
fix. Stuff will dry out, but >unfortunately
my camera's had it. I hope when I get to >a
shop they can save the film as I finally took
some >pictures of the bike in a long-tail boat
when we went >across the Mekong. > >So the moral
is: If you're travelling alone in remote >places
on a motorbike, don't do something stupid. >Tonight
I feel very, very lucky. > >We all are, you
know. - >OK, Cheers and keep in touch! >C &
E >
----- Original
Message ----- >From: "Remus Preda" >Sent: Thursday,
January 09, 2003 12:45 PM >Subject: Re: Costa
Rica > > > Dear chris and Erin, > > > > Thanks
for the picture. I am in Bocas Del Torro with
my folks and >getting > > my PADI open water
certification so I can take advantage of the
>Galapagos > > Islands if I ever make ot out
there. Me and my bike are flying to >Bogota
> > (on separate planes) on Tuesday and I'll
be meeting some friends in >Cusco >on > > Feb.
14. Did you get to Ecuador or Peru? Any recommendations?
> > > > I was wonderful meeting you guys. I
am sure I'll have plenty of >questions > > as
I head south. > > > > Ciao, Remus > > > > >From:
"Chris & Erin Ratay" > > >To: "Remus Preda (R11GS)"
> > >Subject: Costa Rica > > >Date: Tue, 7 Jan
2003 17:47:22 -0600 > > > > > >Hope you are
having a great time with your folks. Really
enjoyed meeting > > >you, and look forward to
catching up again in the states! > > > > > >All
the best on the next leg of your trip. > > >
> > >Ride safe, ride far, ride often > > >Chris
& Erin Ratay > > > CURRENTLY IN COSTA RICA **
1999-2003 World Tour on 2 BMW motorcycles
