SHIPMENT shock !

What was an unforgettable motorcycle trip and adventure in South America has now developed in an unexpected cost nightmare. We were five people that went on a 6-week bike trip during April and May 2010 to South America with our BMW motorcycles. The planning started in June 2009. The original quote received from the shipping company was to transport our motorcycles in a container by boat from Cape Town to Buenos Aires and back, and included all customs clearances. The problem we are still facing is the exorbitant final account from the shipping company, Kuehne & Nagel (K&N), Cape Town.

 After continual negotiations with K&N during our planning, we received an official quotation on 14 April for a total shipping price of R58 452. We accepted the quote 2 days later in writing. We paid an initial amount of R29 130 to K&N on the 29 March. During the return shipment of our motorcycles in June 2010 we were informed by K&N that the total shipping price had been amended to R105 759. We were also informed that we had to pay the balance of R76 630 before being allowed to collect our motorcycles from Customs. Although it was stated in the quotation that certain costs (like exchange rate and charges) could be revised, an increase of 81% over a period of 2 ½ months is surely neither reasonable, nor justified.

We had no choice but to pay the balance of R76 630 in order to have our motorcycles released (also to avoid the daily storage fees). This payment was done with the understanding that we did not agree to the increased price, and that a credit would be due to us. This was confirmed and agreed by K&N. After much communication, K&N finally admitted there were some costing problems and promised a credit. Eventually, after much prompting, a month later, we received a credit of R7 503!  This brought the total price to R98 256, which is still an increase of 68% (R39 805) from the original quotation. We believe this is unethical.

 Despite continuous correspondence, K&N maintain that the case is closed. In our opinion this is not the case and we dispute this huge price increase.  Is it then normal for such huge deviations between quotes and actuals in the shipping industry?  Were we misled with their quotation? Are we as individuals being exploited by a big company?

Lesson learned: be VERY careful and do your homework thoroughly before you choose a shipping company to ship your motorbike overseas.

To Summarize

We were a team of five (Andre Brink, Hugo Carstens, Marchant Maasdorp, Mario Steyn and Philip Brink) who went on a bike trip to South America during April/May 2010 on our BMW GS Bikes (3x 1200 Adventures, 1x Standard 1200 and a Dakar 650). The countries we crossed were Argentina, Bolivia, Peru and Chile. We covered a total of 8076 km (including 2951 km dirt road) over a period of 32 riding days.

 The trip was an unforgettable and breathtaking experience. The diversity in scenery/landscapes, interfacing with locals, and more importantly, how we coped with different situations, made this trip very unique. Adjusting to the high altitudes in the Andes Mountains was something new for us, and this, together with the extreme temperatures we had to face, was a considerable challenge, both mentally and physically.

 We only had minor maintenance and repairs on the five bikes. Given the extreme weather and road conditions, BMW GS bikes have once again proven themselves!

To Conclude:

OVERALL:

* Comrade & teamwork

* Scenery & landscape diversity

* Interface with locals

* Coping with situations

  HIGHLIGHTS:

* Route 6 (337km dirt road) – Bolivia

* Titikaka Lake (8560km²) – Bolivia/Peru

* Atacama Desert – Argentina/Chile

* Road of Death (65km dirt road) – Bolivia

* Salt Pans (160km) – Bolivia

* Coastal road (& camping) – Peru

* Route 40 (595km dirt road), very famous – Argentina

* Highest peak on Andes Mountains – 5081m

* Special Dakar Rally stage (121km, 4800m) – Argentina

 SCARY MOMENTS:

* Altitude – above 3500m (do not camp!)

* Temperature faced – max: +38degress; min: -14.7 degrees

* Altitude + Cold – mental & physical

* Route 6 (Bolivia) … mountain passes, road condition, traffic.

* Abra del Acay pass – very extreme and technical

* Border crossing Chile/Bolivia with GPS – no border post!

 BREAKDOWNS/REPAIRS:

* 1x flat tyre (not bad for over 80 000kms !)

* 1x battery replaced

* 1x front shock oil leak

* All had to replace bulbs

* All had to fill up engine oil

Shipment (return of bikes)

Our bikes have been loaded in container (in Buenos Aires) for shipment back to Cape Town, South Africa.

Expected arrival date: 9 July 2010. … (so long to wait!)

Hi everyone !

Safely back home and at work again, I would like to thank each and everyone who followed and commented on the website and by sms.

This incredible trip was made possible by a lot of people I would like to thank on my personal behalf.

 First of all:

• To all the logistical people who helped and assisted with the tonnes of paperwork. The ones who went out of their way to ensure every little detail was covered and taken care of, will not be forgotten.
• To the ones who missed us and whom we missed. The ones who had to cover for us at home and at work, a big THANK YOU.
• To my travelling companions. For the assistance, help, encouragement, camaraderie and most of all the friendship.
• Most of all:  To the Creator of all we went to see, experience, endure and enjoy!!! Who, in the first place, enabled me to participate. Who protected me and took care of my loved ones at home and Who loves me.

 From  “The Rose” ;  “…..and the soul afraid of dying, has never learned to live….”

Greetings

Hugo Carstens

Buenos Aires

We arrived safely in Buenos Aires at 10h00 this morning. After a total of 8076 km (+-35% on dirt roads) bike riding in South America over a period of 6weeks (too short!), our trip came to an end… Bikes are strapped on pallets at Alpha Logistics warehouse (great and supportive guys!!). Container loading and export clearing process by Kuehne& Nagel scheduled for next Friday.

I will add more information, ie highlights, lessons learned, tips, stats etc to this website over the next few weeks.

From the team: THANKS for your interest and “participation” in our trip. It meant a lot to us!

REGARDS

Zarate

We done about 495km today….on a very busy tar road… lots of trucks /busses (causing the shock wave effect!)….not pleasant!! Then a long highway with cross winds and rain. We are staying over at a hotel in Zarate, about 70km outside Buenos Aires. Not a good idea to enter BA centre on a late Friday afternoon…

All set to drop off our bikes at Kuehne & Nagel warehouse tomorrow, and spend the last night (+shopping) in down town BA before we return to SA on Sunday evening (except Andre who will stay few extra days to ensure our bikes get customs cleared and loaded. We also need to go to Dakar Motos tomorrow to collect some of our loose stuff which we stored there prior to our trip. Again, don’t do a bike ride in South America without the assistance from Dakar Motos!

Villa Maria

We travelled 510km on tar road today… towards Buenos Aires. Being on a busy high way, facing lots of traffic and road blocks we are already missing  the remote, rural, mountains and dirt roads from the previous weeks!

 We are now bout 500km from Buenos Aires.

 We got the first traffic fine today, at a ‘Policia roadblock’ … Andre being without a helmet (‘temporary’). After a long debate, no English, he received a ‘pink slip’…I am sure he will pay once back in SA. (Wearing a helmet on a bike is only compulsory on highways).

The plan is that we will take our bikes to be ‘palette’ed’ on Saturday morning. Spend the night in BA, and depart for SA on Sunday evening. Andre will stay few days extra to assist with the containerization and custom paperwork. Monday & Tuesday (24&25May) are public holidays in Argentina, as they will celebrate their 200 year existence.

Frias (Tucuman province, Argentina)

Current location: S28 37.998 W65 08.813 (elevation 458m)

Kilometer reading since we started = 7005km

 We left Cafayate this morning and went over a spectacular mountain pass, especially the downhill was tropical/jungle like environment. We arrived (after400km tar road) at a typical farm town, but lively and friendly. We have now finally left the Andes mountains and are currently crossing the Pampas.

 Everyone is doing fine, and bikes are ok! Just a note from the team….we REALLY appreciate your comment & remarks !! THANKS. Keep them coming!

Cafayate (Salta province, Argentina)

 Current location: S26 04.380 W65 58.559

After our mentally and fiscally tough ride yesterday (a trip we will never forget!), we took an relaxing, enjoyable 165km dirt road (still on route 40, going south) to Cafayate…a small tourist town.(part of the local wine route). The weather was for once nice and we were at an acceptable altitude of 1650m (more human!).

 Tomorrow we will start heading in a more direct direction to Buenos Aires, where we need to be on Saturday. We all can’t believe this trip must come to en end……