From Quito onward.. to My Accident!
Following on from Quito we made our way over the mountains along dirt roads to the Amazon basin Ecuador part. The roads were pretty rough.
Simon even lost his Exhaust
The same day the skys opened and we got soaked! Here we stopped for lunch in Tena to get out of the rain but it continued for most of the day. Got absolutely soaked
After awhile exploring the jungle paths where i seem to have precious little pics checking out some monkeys etc we decided a camp would be a good idea. We stopped at an airfield and asked security if we could stay. Figuring guys with guns would be good protection for us also. But they wouldn’t let us Stay. After some conversation an Indian guy who was beside them said we could stay under his house!
So we went over and pitched the mosquito nets! And put up with some usual questions about the bike, size, speed, cost, and the they just sat there and watched us! It was weird. Like talking to a brick wall!!
So once we decided to go to bed at the very late time of 7 pm!! Wow!! The Indian guy disappeared. I awoke on the 9th of November (my birthday) to the radio with what sounded like a Spanish version of Graham Norton.. this was accompanied by a bloody cockrel who wouldn’t shut up! I was going to ring its neck but I was thinking the Indians around us might not like that very much.
So at first light we got up , packed bikes and headed off for Banos.
And just after we saw the most hairy pig in the world! We called him Afro pig!
And I had my first fall in months!! Welcome to being 27! Must be the old age! But no serious damage.. just pride. We made it to Banos in one piece, and spent the rest of the day relaxing in the hot springs.. i guess thats where the town got its name.. Banos being Spanish for bath.
We spent the evening drinking in the local, where the funniest moment had to be when there were a bunch of fat chicks passing by trying to dance. Simon blurts out in English, “I hate it when fat chicks try to look sexy” ... problem was they spoke English!! Hahahaha their mates were outside hi fiving each other!!
On leaving Banos we had to take a slight detour . After speaking with locals the road on our map didn’t exist as it was wiped out in a Volcanic eruption 2 years ago. But we got on our way, and entered the heavens
Food was the usual affair..
With some inquisitive locals
Camp was a simple affair of two tents, a fire, some Bod Dylan and Arcade Fire on the iPod, along with Boiled rice and tuna! Staple food of any poor biker!
View in the morning was nice ! check out those mountains , kind of reminds me a little of Ireland
On our arrival it was change over time to TKC 80s to cope with the up coming dirt! Only it was Sunday so all the llanterias were closed so had to do it myself!!
Road to the border was class!! I am so glad we ignored everyone advice to go to Macara, and instead opted for the little used La Bolsa, (not even on my map crossing near Zumba directly south of Loja)
Proof that even KLRs end up in the ditch at times!
There were a few Army checkpoints down here, this was the final one, where we thought the guys were friends of MC Hammer
When we finally arrived at the border the customs official was twisted drunk, and insisted we join him for a beer.. or four!
It really was quiet funny , then it was over to Peru... as the sign says below
This side was a little more slow. First the girl thought my passport was fake, then the guy takes an hour to fill out the wrong form for the bike, then he finds the real one. But by now a huge thunder storm had come in and we were going no where! It was getting dark and the only road out was bad dirt! Asking around for a place to came, I jokingly asked if we could stay in the office! But the answer was yes!! So that shack behind the Peru sign is where we spent out first night in Peru
Next day was more of the same, with the roads made worse by the rain overnight, we even had to drive up over a landslide or two.
This is one of the better sections
There were also some very powerful rivers going down the valley, swelled from the night before!
In the end we reached the town of Pedro Ruiz , where we were back to Tarmac. But first thing we did was check all the bolts to make sure all was still secure, as the last section of the road, was really corrugated, and was littered with the remains of an old tarmac surface from about 20 years ago!
On the Advice of Brennan we went to see Gocta Falls, which was “discovered” by some German dude about 5 years ago. It has been measured at 771 meters making it the third highest in the world, Its not too far from Chachapoyas for anyone interested.
Its a 2 hour walk into the base from the nearest village where we nearly stepped on some snakes having it off in the middle of the path.. don’t think they were impressed with us!
Actually it was very Indiana Jones like .. the whole experience.
Next day we had planned a two day trip around dirt roads linking to Tingo Maria and then down to Cusco eventually, but it was near Moyobamba that my bike spun out on a corner and then ended up in the ditch with me following. We did get it started again, but decided to limp back to Lima for repairs. When we stopped for gas the EWS sensor died. So now no bike!
After some effort we located a pickup truck who agreed to take the bike and me to Jaen (the nearest big town) for $30. We got a hostal and next day located the local bus company. They had a truck going to Lima, so once the fuel was emptied and the bike was lifted into the back of a truck! (5 guys to lift to shoulder height! ) I had paid the $50 for bike and $30 for me I said goodbye. I had to wait another day, for a bus, but am now in Lima resting up waiting for parts!
More pics to follow of the repairs!! and a lesson that Knobblies are not good for taking corners like Casey Stoner!