 Trujillo (Peru) to Ibarra (Ecuador): Photos 21 to 39 |
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Trujillo (Peru) to Ibarra (Ecuador): Photos 21 to 39
South America » Ecuador » North » Otavalo
October 25th 2006 by pushonnorth
Detour in Ecuador
After crossing the border from Peru
I took a detour in Ecudaor
Changed some money,
Saw the road sign and thought,
"Why not? I will not be here again."
Then slipped off the highway.
Prior to my diversion I sought the usual, useless assurances
And asked a man pushing an ice-cream cart whether the quieter road was also paved.
"Todo es aspahalto" he cheerfully confirmed.
And unusually it was, but it twisted, writhed and squirmed.
I rode through beautiful fertile valleys
Punctuated by sleepy restrained villages.
Far more timid than their brasher Peruvian cousins,
With inappropriate spikey names like James Bond villains;
Sozoranga, Cariamanga, Gonzanama.
Mr Malloch, we do not expect you to talk. We expect you to climb.
Although each day I did not travel as far as I had hoped,
It did not seem to matter.
Two days earlier sitting under a citrus tree
Seeking refuge from a fierce afternoon sun I met Ian from Oregon.
I sat down and shared his shade.
As is the usual custom with Gringos on the road,
For a few minutes we enjoyed each others English.
Like me, he had set off from the southern tip
Full Text Entry: Trujillo (Peru) to Ibarra (Ecuador)
TB: [diary=97443]
Gringo express
All the Gringo tourists sit on the roof of a freight wagon for the famous train ride El Nariz de Diabalo (the Devilīs Nose).
Fares please
And the conductor checks the tickets walking along the roof top as the train runs down a very steep valley.
My feet and train station
How steep is the valley? Well if you look between my pasty white feet you can see the station below. I am amazed that no-one has fallen off. (This photo also proves that I have not yet bought any toe ... [more]
Political rocks
All along the road rocks are daubed with paint in an attempt to persuade people to vote for a particular candidate. Bit of a shame really as it spoils the view.
Alfonso
If you need a bike mechanic in Riobamba, Ecuador I would really recommend Alfonson Guaman (address Orozco and Avendida La Prensa, phone 2965333 Mobile 097703913, no email address).
Smoking Volcano near Baņos
Volcano is smoking in the background. No traffic at all on this road. Very nice ride over volcanic ash.
Road from Riobamba to Baņos
Havenīt yet realised at this point that this is actually not the road to Baņos and have to double back later. Still nice photo.
Swinging guinea pigs
Guinea pigs in Ecuador donīt really have a much better time than their little furry friends in Peru. Here two guniea pigs are skewered by the roadside. The lady, who doesnīt want her photo taken, then... [more]
El Choclo, Sangoquil
El Choclo, (corn cob)a monument on a roundabout outside the humble town of Sangoquil is much more interesting in my opinion than the rather shabby Equator monument which I passed later in the same day... [more]
Equator Monument
Like most cycle tourists who cross the Equator I can now say that I have eaten a banana with one foot in each hemisphere.
Copyright notice.
The text and photos of this article remain the copyright of the Author (Tim Malloch). Under no circumstances should the photos or text be used without the express written permission of the Author (Tim Malloch). If you wish to use or publish photos or text from this article - please
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