Maybe it is too much of an attention grabbing title, but it is not entirely untrue. Having been robbed my last time across the Ecuador-Peru boarder crossing on the Pan-American Highway, I have always been dreading a return to that fateful city. Last night I was browsing through my usual collection of travel blogs from people that are riding their way south just like I will be, and I came upon an exciting new alternate route to get myself into Peru. For those of you familiar, or who were there with me the last time, the route just continues south from Vilcambamba and straight south towards the ruins at Kuelap in Peru. By and large this is not a lot to be excited about as I won’t be crossing that border for over a year, but something happened as I read Anna and Ali’s post last night (www.thefuegoproject.com). I was just overcome with excitement at the idea of traveling some backroads and seeing some of the most amazing terrain and, to use an all to abused saying, to be off the beaten path. I loved so much about Peru when I was there in 2005, but I really have been unexcited about following the hot, windy, desert coastline while on a bike. It has been rambling through my head for a while about trying to go through the central highlands on my way towards the great mountain town of Huaraz and then continuing through the mountains and on to Cusco. Well, it certainly appears that not only is it possible, but it is as amazing as I was hoping it to be. All in all, the spark of excitement about the trip was reignited last night. As a result I spent the night tossing and turning thinking of all the new experiences to come on my adventure. I can’t wait and I honestly wish I could be done with the planning and just get on the road.
ps. If you read through Anna and Ali’s recent entry just try to ignore the part about both of them getting severely sick with water or food-borne illnesses. Look at their pictures and tell me it doesn’t look like a great place to be pedaling along on a bike.
I have crossed there Justin and it’s a great idea. I was, unfortunately, on a bus that broke down in the middle of the night and ended up in Macara at an odd hour and then stranded for a while in one of the little towns just across the border. . . but it was fun. AND beautiful. I would not, however, recommend the combo hostel and fish restaurant that I stayed at in Loja. . . 🙂
That’s the part of Peru where Aunge and I went mule riding! Kuelap was amazing and that whole area was one of my favorite parts of Peru. Sounds like a good alternative. I’ll call you soon…its been way too long! I’m glad all your adventure planning is going so well!
Sounds pretty killer! To take some of the anxiety off these last weeks of the planning phase of your trip I think we need to try out your gear in the Montana Rocky Mountains. The Crazies, perhaps?