South America in Versys 650 – Latin America on a motorcycle (16): after Peru, Ecuador! –

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Latin America on motorcycles (16): after Peru, Ecuador !

South America in Versys 650 - Latin America on a motorcycle (16): after Peru, Ecuador! -

After resting for two days in Caraz (Peru), I took the road back to Ecuador. Along the way I met a few travelers, including two Frenchmen in tandem who started cycling two years ago in Canada. !

After resting for two days in, I took the road back to Ecuador. Along the way I met a few travelers, including two French in tandem who started to cycle two years ago in Canada. !

The next day, after a long night in a gas station, I quickly joined the Pan American at Santa Ana. This liaison day is long and boring along the coast, so I make up for it on the restaurant side: it is not beautiful, my plate ?

In the evening, I branch off after Chiclayo towards Tucume. The main border post is after Tumbes, but I preferred to leave the coast as soon as I could. The next day, the mountainous road is really very nice. The asphalt then disappears to go to San Ignacio, known for cocoa and coffee.

Coffee liqueur

It’s late afternoon, so I decide to continue to the next village. I ask a passerby if he knows a safe place to camp and a little restaurant. Neither one nor two: his mother-in-law can do it and I can even sleep in the living room. Foot !

While the women are working, we are sipping coffee liqueur. It’s not bad at all. My last day in Peru ends for the better.

The next day, I am at the border of La Balsa in less than an hour. It should not pass more than 5 or 6 people a day, so I tell myself that it will go quickly … I leave Peru without any problem, I pass the immigration of Ecuador in two minutes, but it blocks at customs.

Which form for customs ?

The guy does not know which form to make me fill out … He makes calls, we call him back, he receives the reference of the form that he does not know how to fill out either … Fortunately he is funny and that I have time, because it will take almost an hour and a half to deliver me the famous sesame, which gives me time to study the menu.

At 1 p.m. I leave for Vilcabamba where I arrive around 6 p.m., because they are paving the track and, as always, I lose a lot of time in each work zone. In any case, it’s nice to discover a new country !

The people are lovely and the scenery beautiful. This short stay in Ecuador is more like a vacation than a trip, a smooth transition before Colombia in a way.

Transition to Colombia

After Loja, I take a break in Zamora in the middle of the afternoon where I meet a group of very cool friends who are passionate about motorcycles. Obviously, the discussions are going well and little by little they keep me for the aperitif, then for the evening. Result: I stayed there for the night.

Leaving early, I absolutely wanted to take full advantage of the eastern route that I take to go up north. In each village, I eye the little junk food stands because Sunday is match day, and everyone takes the opportunity to swallow dirt. I take the road with a full stomach and drive a few dozen kilometers.

At the bend of a bend, a large dog which must weigh nearly 40 kg rushes straight on the motorcycle! I shift to the left, but he continues his race and in a fraction of a second I hit him and lose the front.

I hit the dog and lose the front !

Destabilized, I prepare for the fall, but luckily the front wheel hangs up the asphalt and the bike straightens up suddenly! I escaped it narrowly … I stop in a sweat to see that the dog that flew several meters has fled home limping and left me a nice trail of urine on the motorcycle , like an automatic sprinkler. It’s okay, I’ll get over it !

The next village will be an opportunity to take a break and recover from my emotions in front of a volleyball match before going to Mendes, where I will sleep behind the communal room..

Taking advantage of the warm climate of Ecuador, I could not resist a good bath in the river or a little laundry. If I continue like this, I’ll become a real biker, not to be frequented !

Soon the motorbike on a boat…

In the meantime, the end of the trip is approaching: a few more days in Ecuador, then I will go up Colombia to Cartagena where I intend to return the motorcycle to France by boat.

Not being an expert in the matter, I will need a helping hand to find a cheap company. So if you have some info, or leave a comment under the article. Thank you !

Maxime BARAT

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