All of my cycling buddies told me to go to Huascaran National Park. This was my first major stop on the way down to Argentina, and it had played a central part in my decision to set off from Quito at the time of year that I did, in order to get the best possible […]
What can I say about Chimbote? It’s a place that exists. I can’t imagine anyone coming here for the picturesque sea view… With the sun shining, and at the right angle, it isn’t entirely terrible. Tiradito. Absolutely smashing. The seafood is excellent. Perhaps even the best I’ve had on the planet. I reckon Peru has
PA16: On the beach
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Cajamarca had a couple of interesting pre-inca ruins nearby, and plenty of colonial Spanish architecture in the city itself. While these rock formations in Cumbemayo are not man made, it appears that the ancient Cajamarcans considered them sacred, and went to incredible lengths to engineer an aquaduct that supplied its waters to their settlements, many
PA15: Anxiety and the art of bicycle maintenance – Cajamarca to Chimbote Read More »
Everyone in Jaén had recommended that I take the slight diversion through Chachapoyas. I’d heard talk of ‘The Machu Picchu of the north’, mummies, and an incredible countryside for bike riding. Well, now I had gotten myself to Chachapoyas. First of all I decided to take a long hard look at my nutrition. The small
After two days of riding twisty dirt roads up and down hills, I was more than ready to enjoy the final descent down to the border crossing at La Balsa. I kept on the brakes to moderate my speed on the steep bits and carefully picked my line between potholes and corrugations in the road,
PA13: Into northern Peru Read More »
It was election time again. Voting stations sprung up all over the country in schools and other public buildings. Everyone is registered to vote in person at a specific polling station. Apparently it is almost impossible to change that location when you move to a new town. The result? Half of the country had to
PA12: Out of the Amazon and down to Peru Read More »
I came to this little country of Ecuador just over a year and a half ago. After a long stretch of living on the road, riding the first leg of my journey from Alaska, I was eager to experience a stable and predictable life, and have friends that didn’t disappear in a matter of days.
PA11: Goodbye Quito! Read More »
Here are 4 excellent reasons to visit Ecuador. Food Before I moved out here, I often got asked ‘what do Ecuadorians eat?’ A quick google search is straight up nightmare fuel. Dead rat on a stick. I was prepared for the worst. But I needn’t have worried. It turns out that the cuisine is actually
4 reasons you must come to Ecuador Read More »
I love living in Ecuador. Despite being one of the smallest countries in South America, it is absolutely packed with biodiversity, hospitable people and boundless opportunities for adventure. However, having lived here for a year and a bit, there are some things about this place that drive me crazy. I arrived in Quito, Ecuador the
4 Reasons not to come to Ecuador Read More »