motorcycletherapy: Piura to Cuena-Dec 20-2017

Last nights hotel

Today up early at 5.30am to remove my bike from the hotels lobby as promised. Ready to go by 6:30 but Breaky was not ready so I drove over to a service centre for fuel and Breakfast. About 7:30 in heavy traffic and trusting the GPS co ordinates, Ken had taught me to use, I was off, driving out of Piura as if chased by demons or so it seemed.

The Pan Am is boring and for the most part littered with garbage thrown from passing motorist but on the outskirts of towns and cities, the garbage is dumped in heaps. It is then blown about by wind and plastic is hanging from the trees like Christmas ornaments....very sad......not to mention the smell. Nearing Ecuador I mistook an open barrier for the Aduana Office and turned back......no it was just a Policia check point. After a pleasant but awkward Espanol/English talk and Ontario pin handed out,shaking of hands off I went. Now at the Peruvian Aduana office.....they are not interested in my bike , I think because it is Licensed in Peru....again a pin hand out and I am off.....next I come upon a migracion office and go in and get stamped out of Peru....cross a gated area to Ecuador Aduana/Migracion office...give guard a pin and then get sent over to the office....fill out a declaration of sorts.....2 more pins and they send me on my way......all very courteous but is my bike legal....will learn when I try to reenter Peru.

I climb into the mountains but these are not as steep as what I experience in Peru.....the Hwy is great for the most part and the curves sweeping allowing me to ease in and power out without changing gears constantly......much more enjoyable.

A Columbian couple I meet along the way on route to Peru and Bolivia....big Bmer.....

Chasty Way Hotel. It is castle like....I ring the bell at the gate no answer....after 15 minutes I walk across the street and seeing a white person........he is a Texan living in Ecuador for a number of years....I refrain from mentioning TRUMP as I recall that was a RED STATE. HE is unaware of the status of said hotel but we can see a young man at the window of the top floor looking out and I frantically waive getting his attention and someone appears at the gate....I am in.....my bike also at the back....secure in the castles compound.

Bannas

About an hour from my destination rain and heavy fog...unable to see with my mask down, I am forced to ride with it open......very nervous as cars are overtaking me and I cannot see them coming or what's ahead....I pray for clearing and half hour to destination sunshine......thank you God. The GPS is spot on and I arrive at the hotel.

I have a modern room and bath...looks new for less than $20.00 USA a night (back to US money as Ecuador's official currency) Here until the 26th then I head to Canoa Ecuador.

The rear of my hotel