SubscribeIt goes without saying that with ten countries visited to date on this journey there has been lots to see. The Spanish changes from region to region as does the food and drink and the people you meet along the way create a colourful collection of memories. I could only shake my head and smile as I enjoyed a cold Coke overlooking a deep canyon in southern Columbia with a Polish ex pat who lives in Conneticut signing the Citreon of German ex pat who makes his home in Paraguay.
Archive for the ‘Ecuador’ Category
Nov
2
Quito, EC (223 kms)
Equador was never mentioned as a country of focus in my preparation. I thought I would simply pass through on my way to Peru, buy a decal and check another box. I sat roadside with my map having a snack in a small village and looking at what this country had to offer. It was going to be more then just a quick ride.
Nov
5
Puerto Cayo, EC (511 kms)
When I left Nova Scotia on this journey I had envisioned several photos that I wanted to chronicle my travels. Milestones like the Arctic Circle, Prudhoe Bay and the Panama Canal were the goals. I was well past Quito when I realized I crossed the equator and didn’t think twice about turning back for a photo. I was trading in landmarks and museums for small towns, people and good food.
Nov
17
Montanita, EC (76 kms)
It was a short day on the road to Montanita. Roberto was tipped off by a German couple several weeks earlier about a gem of a town and we all decided to stop for the night. The 76 kms through small fishing villages to this surfers town were the toughest ride of the journey. Not because of road or traffic conditions but because of the of storytelling and refreshments the night prior.
Nov
16
Montanita, EC (- kms)
Jarek pushed off from Montanita early the next day in an effort to meet his girlfriend in Peru. I decided to hang around a bit longer to work on another one man activity that was popular in the area. Roberto being from the Pacific coast of Mexico surfed as a kid before travelling the world and now he was going to take on the challenge of teaching me to ride the waves.
Nov
11
Montinita, EC (- kms)
Lessons are learned each day on the road and after a long night of cultural immersion in Montanita, Roberto and I figured some street vendor ceviche would bring us back to life. We sat on the beach and enjoyed the seemingly fresh seafood watching the surf roll in. Turns out the ceviche was a bad choice and as the sun set a final time for me in Montanita I sat close to the hotel room.
Nov
10
Cuenca, EC (369 kms)
Ending the day with a cold slice of pizza and a warm soda was fitting as contrasts were the theme for todays ride. Sea level to 4200 meters, 35 C to 11 C and endless views bookending blinding fog were a few of the variances that highlighted my day.
Nov
2
Zumba, EC (389 kms)
I was 20 minutes south of Palamuna and the road narrowed as it climbed the side of another mountain. I knocked on the door at a home that I was told sold fuel but they had none and waved me off. I made the mistake of not filling up when I left Loja and now I was regretting the oversight.