South American tour

[ErikGustav2]

Sure, end of transport stage. Time to take it easy and enjoy.

One thing I do not know if I mentioned. I have learned that cars are allowed in Chimborazo and Cotopaxi national parks. But not motorcycles. So I expect no tour on Chimborazo. But a lot of other things.

You that likes balcony roads. Long time ago, the road over to Banos was really narrow. Blind corners were you could not meet. They used the horn as signal. To try to avoid meetings in the corners. But probably a highway now ?... But I will ride it.

[ErikGustav2]

Border controls between Peru and Boliva have been burnt down. No Visa,TIP or......
"It is just to check the map for road blocks" is still a common attitude.
People stuck.
I am happy that I got out

[ErikGustav2]

First some pictures from the road over the Andes.

Narrow gravel road. With very little protection from very high fall.
Blind corners,
And since busses have a rather long distance from front wheels to corner of the body:
If you sit in front. Right side beside driver, you pass outside the road in left corners.

But now i am not really honest. These pictures are from the old road. These parts are now replaced by tunnels. With nice tarmac.
But nice memories. I traveled this old road by bus long time ago.
And used part of it by bike today. To get some nice views and pictures.

Think of this, not as a motorcycle trail. But as the main road between Amazonas and the central Ecuador. Even for busses and trucks. That is how it was.

[ErikGustav2]

The views are still there¨

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The river in the bottom of the valley

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Some cascadas

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And a huge dam. The dam itself was built by a Swedish company.
But the electric equipment is from other vendors

Bad or good to build ?
It gives electricity to the area. The dam does not have to be that large as in Sweden. Where we have to save the melted snow for the rest of the year. Here is rains frequently. So a small reservoir is enough.
But of course, it has some impact on the nature...

[ErikGustav2]

This is a rather new refugio.
Built where the road ends at 4 800 m altitude.
Earlier there were only a refugio at 5 000 m.
That you hade to hike up to from the parking where Carrel Refugio is now. To refugio Edward Whymper

The refugio has a small cafeteria in the bottom floor.
And two rooms with beds on the top floor. Where you can rent a bed.

I passed the entrance to the park, pretending that I did not understand anything.
I met a security car in the way up. They Waved to me and I waved back !!

[ErikGustav2]

Chimborazo
6 263 m altitude.
Since the earth is not exactly round. But wider at the equator. The top of Chimborazo is actually as far as you can get from the center of the earth.
So in that way,it is the highest mountain on the earth.

[ErikGustav2]

This day was planned as a rest day after Chimborazo. Before next mountain (Cotapaxi). But looking at the weather forecast, the plans were changed. I decided to try to see something of Cotopaxi. Before it was hidden in rain.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cotopaxi

The most perfect cone shaped mountain I have ever seen.
I knew that I was not allowed into the park myself. But I tried to ride back roads to sneak in.

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This photo was taken from long distance. Using a back road.

But...I ended up at the main entrance anyhow.
At that time, the top of Cotopaxi was covered in clouds.

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Cotopaxi 03.jpg (51.23 KiB) Viewed 2099 times

So these were the best pictures that I could get.
Entrance to the park was for guided tours only.
If you have a car, the guide can join you in the car.
For me on motorcycle ,¨it was possible to join a guided tour in a guide's car.
But the mountain would still have been covered in clouds.
And the main attractions were a refugio and a laguna.
So I toke a coffee break and enjoyed the views.
Before I continued.
Since it was still early, I decided to pass Quito and stay in Otavalo.

[ErikGustav2]

Even there were no famous mountains.
The views were great.
Just enjoying a wonderful day en los Andes

[ErikGustav2]

I choose Otavalo before Ibarra.
Since it is a much smaller town and easier to navigate and walk around in.
And of course, for the famous market for local produced clothing.

After dinner I toke a evening walk around in the town.
This is the south America that I love.
A small town.
A Plaza in the middle of the town.
Church by the plaza.
People enjoying outdoor life. Sitting at the plaza watching people passing by.
Or walking around.
Nice temperature.

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The church lighted up in the evening. There were so many beautiful views. But I had to choose one. I have pictures from inside. But on the memory card in the camera.

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Some municipal building on the other side of the plaza

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The park and church combined.

2 sides of the plaza were filled with small restaurants and stores.
All is very friendly and calm.

[Godspeed]

Sounds amazing and the photos are keeping us all inspired Erik.
What sort of things do they sell at the markets? Did you buy anything?