It’s Not Over Yet
We spent another day at the repair shop. Our “mechanic” came up with two used regulators from Barranquilla but both of them were not working. We immediately ordered a brand new one from Bogota, the capital of Colombia. Tomorrow afternoon we’ll hopefully receive the new regulator. Additionally there is still the dynamo which is not working properly. One week is over and Herbie is not reanimated yet. But we hope that we’ll be back on the road very soon and…
Never Ending Story
It seems to get a never ending story. We already spent one week going through a lot of nerve-wracking times. But there is hope in sight, because the automotive electrician who has been trying to fix all damages in cooperation with Domi, told us, that he’ll receive a new regulator tomorrow morning. We’ll let you know if everything worked out. If so, we can go on with following the Pan-American Highway across South America.
Rage Against The Water Machine
People like Andreas Schülein from Sugenheim, Germany, write about about our journey of “34 Ponys around the Globe”. Andi found us on the internet and got in touch with us. By clicking the picture you can visit Andi’s personal website about his passion for old air-cooled VWs. It is called “Rage Against The Water Machine”. At this juncture we want to say thank you to Andi and all the others who are following Herbie’s World Tour!
Nightcruising in Hollabrunn – lower austria
Monday, Monday
After so many delays of the vessel we were so happy to see Herbie, our No. 53, again! But since that we’re going through a martyrdom. Domi had to take dynamo out of the engine two times. Finally we got it fixed but there is still one thing missing – a new regulator. Because of the weekend we have to wait until late Monday to receive the new one. We had to order it from Barranquilla, another city on the…
High Voltage!
It’s getting really frustrating! Herbie is not fixed yet because there is still one part missing. Everything was perfect until our Love Bug got on his vessel heading South. Today Domi installed again all “repaired” parts and it seemed to be working but the regulator we bought was obviously broken because it didn’t regulate the voltage. Below you can see a picture of the “new” (electric) regulator we bought. The problem is that it has not told the dynamo not…
Why hurt Herbie?
As we told you before, an unknown person hurt Herbie a lot, while he was on his ship going from Veracruz, Mexico, to Cartagena of the Indies in Colombia. That person not only broke his lid lock, he also tried to open the front hood, turned on the windshield wipers, the ignition and other electric consumers and left them all on. He left all of those features on and caused a huge damage. The alternator and the regulator got grilled….
Hope is the Last to Die
Today we went together to the port again where we parked Herbie yesterday after we found out that somebody on the ship caused a fatal electric problem. That person turned on the ignition, the windshield wipers and the interior light and left Herbie simply alone – on his cruise across the open sea to South America. As a consequence of this the electricity heated parts as the alternator up which created at least a short within the coil of it….
Herbie’s Nightmare
We woke up very early today, because Domi had to get to the appointment with a custom executive for getting the vehicle inspected. There he was, Herbie our Love Bug! Domi spent three hours with Herbie waiting for the inspector but he didn’t show up. So it was time for a personal check. Domi was shocked and sad at the same time! Okay, dirt and rust might be common, but we think it is not necessary to damage a car…
A Red Tape Odyssey
This was an exhausting day for us! And sadly we have to wait at least one more day to obtain Herbie who is still sitting at the sea port and whom we haven’t seen yet. In the morning we took a taxi to our shipping agency in order to get the original Bill of Lading (B/L). After that we went to the local customs just a few blocks further. They sent us to the port authority where Zainab was not…
KdF channel reached 100 videos!
Not yet, Herbie!
Herbie’s vessel, the “Global Leader”, should arrive in Cartagena of the West Indies by tomorrow, according to its latest prediction. On January 26 we had to say “good-bye” to our lovely Bug. We miss him a lot! Hopefully we’ll get him back very soon. Today we saw a Volkswagen Beetle here in Colombia for the first time – against one’s expectations in a pretty good shape, if you think of the harsh climate down here. Regarding to its hood it…
Happy Valentine’s Day!
We hope all of you had a happy Valentine’s day. In Cartagena two guys were giving free hugs and kisses. Their signs were written in English so we guess it was just meant for people who are able to read and understand this language. For us it is just a day like any other – hugs and kisses every day!
Changing the rear end of Flo’s 1303S #4
We finished the welding on the backside of the bug and now we have to change the sillboards….
Roll-On / Roll-Off
There are different types of shipping a vehicle. The most common ones are by container, “LoLo” (Lift-On/Lift-Off) and “RoRo” (Roll-On/Roll-Off). This time we’re shipping Herbie via “RoRo” from Veracruz to Cartagena – across the Golf of Mexico and the Caribbean. There are always pros and cons regarding the various types. We also tried the container option. Herbie and our trailer “Qek” got 44 foot containers from Chennai (India) to Melbourne (Australia) and from Brisbane to Long Beach (USA). From Sharjah…
Digging In The Deeps Of Vimeo Part 7
Where the Hell is Herbie?
As we are already in Cartagena, Colombia, Herbie is on his way going to South America by ship. His vessel, the “Global Leader”, is meanwhile rescheduled the fourth time. According to the latest schedule Herbie arrives in Cartagena on February 17. We’d love to drive all the way around the world but as we posted before there is no other way than shipping to get a car from North or Central America to South, because of the so-called Darién Gap…
Changing the rear end of Flo’s 1303S #3
Yesterday we began to adapt the 1600i rear end to Flo’s bug. Flo could not belive that it will fit as good as it does already. 🙂 Flo had also cleaned the frame with the steam jet. It was sooo cold “playing” with water oudside!
Veracruz, Mexico (Final No. VII)
Yesterday it was our last day in Veracruz and with Daniel. He’ll fly back home to Europe in the afternoon today. We already took off to Mexico City waiting for our connection flight via Panama City to Cartagena, Colombia, where Herbie will arrive one week later.
Veracruz, Mexico (No. VI)
Today we spent time strolling through the streets of Veracruz. It was also our last day with Domi’s best friend Daniel. Tomorrow he’ll fly back to Vienna, Austria, and we’ll head off for Cartagena, Colombia, in order to continue our trip across South America.
Separation of Flo’s rusty bug
Today Flo and Friedrich detached the chassis from the frame. Next they will remove the sillboards. The original frame of the orange bug was in such a bad condition that we had to demound some sheets. We also had to remove the co-drivers side of the frame because it was too rusty. No,no: We’re just kidding! Flo’s frame is in a good condition an needs only a little bit of paint.
The Última Edición
The Volkswagen Bug was introduced to Mexicans in 1954. At that time four VW Beetles were shipped to Veracruz. The first Bug “Hecho en Mexico” was assembled in 1961. In 1971 more than 200,000 units were produced and the exports to Europe and Costa Rica began. Just nine years later, in 1980, already more than a million were made. In 1985, the official export to Europe ended and 20 million were sold. These were the reasons to launch a special…
Thanks to all followers!!!!
Digging In The Deeps Of Vimeo Part 6
Changing the rear end of Flo’s 1303S #2
Yesterday we made big steps forward on the rusty orange bug. We removed the doors, the left side wall and the whole rear end. Underneath you can see what we have done and how it looks like. Its a litte bit scary to see the bug in this condition. Next we will lift the chassis from the frame to remove both sillbords.
Veracruz, Mexico (No. V)
Still in Veracruz, but meanwhile a very good friend of Domi is visiting us here in Mexico. He’ll stay until we head off to South America. Today Herbie is supposed to go on board.