Tulcan to Mindo- February 3 2018

Left Tulcan at 8:45 am .....no rain for a change..........I was intending to take an alternate slightly longer route back along Hwy # 10.....so with no working Gps...I used google maps and drew a map of the area I had to exit....but with limited signage along the route you need to have all the names of towns and cities on that route....as I never did see a sign indicating # 10....so had to go with plan B....continue on to  and exit Simon Bolivar Blvd........this would keep me out of the busier part of Quito and was the road I could not find heading to Colombia. I found the exit and ended up in a busy town next to the Pan American hwy going the wrong way on a 1 way main street. Did a U turn next to a police officer and stopped asking him where is 28B....he pointed down a street next to me....which led me following the Pan Am to Simon Bolivar......which I tookin the wrong direction...only realizing this a number of miles later when I recognized a long bridge Ken and I had crossed entering Quito at the end of my last visit Febr 2017. So many miles later heading west I come to a traffic circle with a barrier that won't let me continue. Another car is stopped and I approach the driver for directions in sign language...finally he motions for me to follow and leads me into the town, I was lost in the day before......he points in the direction I should go and I make a turn ......the  streets are all s turns up and down and I get lost....again seeing a police officer I stop and ask for directions to Mindo....he thinks I what the monument to the Equator and that is fine with me,...because I know my way from there. Finally back on the new Simon Bolivar...why a section forced an unmarked detour is beyond me.....but about 1k from where I need the route to Mindo...the road is finished but a cement barrier blocks the way and no detour signs. I am not going back into that crazy street town with numerous 1 way and dead end streets. This hwy has a bike path and I calculate the risk of taking it and not getting caught......I take it and make the 1k at speed and manage to fit my bike through the barriers at both ends/////// Traffic is lined up following a slow moving Tractor Trailer......oncoming traffic prevents anyone from passing....so I take to the narrow right shoulder and pass 1/2 k of cars, buses and trucks....1 hour before Mindo more rain, I arrive in Fog again. This time I book into a hotel at the foot of the main street and wow is it nice.......I shower then head up to the restaurant where Flor and Luz are helping out......they are sitting around playing cards.I order dinner and I chat with the ladies until it gets busy and Flor goes to help out ...I bid farewell heading out into the rain and my comfortable chalet.

Mindo to Tulcan-Colombia Border-Febr 2 2018

On the road at 7am in rain for the 1st hour then it cleared, with the occasional sprinkle. Trying to take a short cut above the airport....looking for 28B I became lost in a maze of 1 way streets and lost !/2 hour finding my way back to the longer route through the upper part of Quito and route 35N which is part of the Norde Americano Hwy. I did arrive at the border in good time...2:30pm and was shocked to see hundreds of people waiting in line at the Migracion office......I was asked what I was there for as soon as I stepped into the line....but 1/2 hour later not able to get permission to stay without 1st checking out and into Colombia I was back in the line . it took 4 hours to get within 100 people ahead of me. Again by some Divine intervention, security pointed in my direction and waived me ahead of the throng...asking why I was there and i explained a mistake was made when I entered Ecuador and I needed more days to stay in ECUADOR. He sent me directly to window #1....an agent with some English though the sign above his booth said something to the effect of Special Treatment. I again explained my situation pointing out that I had been here in February 2017 and hoped that I could get the balance of my 90 day allotment without having to exit to Colombia and turn around and reenter Ecuador....he was not sure and a 1/2 hour discussion amongst a number of backroom staffers and me...he returned and said NO PROBLEMA....I asked about my bike and he said Aduana would take care of that ....first he took care of my passport stamping 90 days beginning February2nd. Back to the girl at Aduana who had originally told me I had to exit and she completed all the necessary paperwork and told me that this piece of paper that I didn't originally get was required for the bike on exiting. Neither of us spoke the others language so this was a bit of fun....but between pointing at the papers and some computer translation we managed.

 Exiting the city of  Ibarra

 A couple Peruvian riders headed to Colombia....neither they nor I spoke the others language but we managed ...I gave them Ontario Flag pins and they gave me their individual rider stickers plus their club sticker. 

 A few pics I took as I made my way around the building.....

 Looking towards Ipiales Colombia...and they keep coming......

It is dark by the time I leave Aduana and I head for Tulcan 10 minutes away.....getting a motorcycle officer to lead me to a hotel.

I am back in Mindo tonight and went to dinner at the restaurant to see Flora and Luz.

I will report on today tomorrow...time for bed..... 

   

Canoa to Mindo February 1 2018

Late start this morning due to rain and the need for some last minute maintenance on the bike. Finally out of Canoa at 9:15. Within a half hour I was into rain which was quite heavy at times.....I was soaked before I could get my Rain gear on..... My Gps quit last night....worked the night before when I set the route.....now it will not come on....tried all the fixes mentioned on the Internet no luck....so I was winging getting through some of the big towns....stopping to ask in my poor Spanish the way to Quito then Mindo when I thought I was close. The last hour was dangerous with thick fog and heavy rain.....had to slow down to 4th gear as I was driving with my shield up as I could not see through the lens.....again someone was looking out for me....because I no sooner thought what if a vehicle is parked on the edge ahead and just then...breaking and swerving in a flash I missed the truck stopped ahead by a whisker. I was worried that I might miss Mindo turn off in the fog but it partially lifted 5 minutes before the exit...difficulty finding the La Bicok Eco Lodge which was just outside of the main drag with no signage....so again asking in a little Spanish and more English.....with the help of writing out the name....i found it the hard way.....having to cross a foot bridge with the bike.

 Just before the last round of heavy rain and fog

 

 

 

 The Manger in yellow and DJ from California now a permanent Mindo resident who came here to settle after first visiting Canoa..... 

 

Now the best part about travelling and especially by motorcycle is the people you meet....Tonight rather than eat at the Lodge....I am the only guest and cannot imagine what a $ 22.00 dinner might be as they are not busy....the manager recommended eating in town...which I did.

I had many choices but stopped at a small Cafe which I thought was a coffee shop but no it was a restaurant.

I met 2 of the greatest gals Flor an Ecuadorian single lady and her equally single friend Luz from Europe. Both these ladies are holidaying in Ecuador with Flor also visiting her family who live In Quito. Flor after a divorce moved many years ago to Toronto Ontario...so a fellow Canadian....she and Luz will return to Toronto next month........but I think they have a keen interest on returning here soon.

Hopefully, I will have the opportunity to show the girls around Muskoka this summer.....so Flor & Luz that is an open invitation....just let me know in advance as I am often away on a motorcycle adventure.....you can contact me through the comments section of the blog.  

 Luz,the restaurant owner and Flor......Thank you ladies for the welcoming & warm conversation. It is amazing how you can get to know someone in a short time.....wish I could stay longer.

 Mindo's main street....this is a Bird watcher's paradise.

 Tomorrow will be a challenge to get around Quito...sucks to not have my GPS working.

  

Canoa-January 31 2018

Fire on the  beach tonight, sitting around waiting for the Blue,Super moon. Cloud cover must be hiding it...bummer as it is a lovely night with a cool moderate breeze off the Ocean.

I leave in the morning, heading to Colombia. I need to exit Ecuador, then re enter and apply for the balance of my 90 day allotment. I goofed on entering and asked for 60....so big penalty if I over stay. The plan is to travel slower and not push long hours with this moto. I have reservations in Mindo which is 300k from here. This is roughly the halfway point to Colombia....the big challenge the following day will be getting past Quito. The weather is now a factor as the rainy season has started.

My son questioned if I was joking about Inca pottery pieces washing up on the beach......no it is for real......at low tide you can find many parts of pots that have washed down into the river which runs through Canoa and empties into the Ocean. The current and tide deposits the remnants along the shore....below is a picture of a few I scooped, along with a few sea shells

 never tire of the view from my room of the ocean

Sunday I went out to Barry's farm on a rain soaked very slippery and muddy road.

 Barry's horse's new colt which was not yet born when I was out there a few weeks back

 mom waiting 

 This is near Barry's farm....a few pool tables for the villagers