To the Arctic Ocean via the Dalton Road

[geovalue]

We Cross the Equator and arrive in the Southern Hemisphere

It felt great to be crossing the equator and entering into the Southern Hemisphere. It is a long way and seems long ago that we dipped our toes into the arctic ocean in Alaska.
Unfortunately when we arrived in Ecuador it was very foggy and wet so we did not explore the area as planned

Where does this road lead to?

So we decided to head for Quito and arrange a last minute deal on a cruise to the Galapagos Islands. Quito is a huge city and we were quickly able to find secure parking for our truck and a cruise to the Galapagos

Quito

We arrived at Santa Cruz a few days before we to board the boat as Tom wanted to do some Scuba diving.

Welcome Committee on Island

Soon Tom was scuba diving

I have updated our blog of crossing into the Southern Hemisphere and arriving on the island

http://www.adventurouspirits.com/crossing-the-equator-into-southern-hemisphere/

Then it was time to board our boat for an 8 day cruise. I will let you know when I have posted on our experiences in the Galapagos, the islands and wildlife were amazing.

Safe travels all

 

[trailsurfer]

Great stuff!

 

[geovalue]

Galapagos A Must See

Well there is no way to overland to the Galapagos Islands, but it is a place everyone should try to see and experience. The wilderness, wildlife, birds and marine life is truly amazing.

We took an 8 day cruise a last minute deal and there seems to be a lot of them at present. The wildlife was what I loved the most, especially the creatures unique to the islands
A Marine Iguana

A Blue Boobie

Sea Lion

Two Unique Creatures

We updated our blog of our experiences in the Galapagos
http://www.adventurouspirits.com/galapagos-islands-just-a-drop-in-the-ocean/

We now back on the mainland of Ecuador and today headed for Cotopaxi National Park. We headed off road and it was so great to be off the beaten track again.

Safe travels all

 

[geovalue]

Ecuador is Cold Could be in Canada!!

Despite the amazing mountain ranges, the volcanoes and valleys we have been str
uggling with fog and rain. However we did make it to Cotopaxi National Park and it was fabulous to be off road again and traveling in the wilderness. We did not do any hiking as planned as it was raining and foggy. But still wonderful.

Road into Cotopaxi National Park

Cotopaxi Volcano

I am giving eating guinea pig a miss despite it being a Ecuadorian tradition. I had a guinea pig as a pet and just cant bring myself to eat something I loved.

We stayed at a great overlander campsite Pequeno Paradiso, which has parking for large overland trucks. It is just west of Banos outside Rio Verde.

We are currently in Cuenca and are hoping to make it to Peru this week.

We have updated our blog

http://www.adventurouspirits.com/volcanoes-and-guinea-pigs-in-ecuador/

 

[trailsurfer]

Thanks again!. Great photos.

 

[geovalue]

Lessons on Aging in Ecuador

We are in the final days of being in Ecuador. We have been pouring over maps of Peru trying to decide what we want to see and route planning around that. It is a big country with lots to see so we have lots of options but also lots of decisions.

Lots of Landslides when driving through Mountain Passes

Locals Chatting in Loja

Typical Road Conditions during Rains

We are now in Vilcabamba a village which is famous for the long lives the locals apparently live. Seems now however the village has been invaded by tourists and foreigners all seeking the secrets of a long life.

Vilcabamba

I meet a small local women who looked ancient although I did not ask her age. I always love meeting the locals, but Maria was different and after meeting her I was left with lots of thoughts about my life and aging.

Maria

We have updated our blog
http://www.adventurouspirits.com/a-lesson-in-growing-old-from-ecuador/

Safe travels all

 

[geovalue]

Peru dusty, ruins and more

The Peruvian border officials were so pleased to see tourists and we called the Peru border the Happy Border Crossing. Surprised as to how dusty and dry the Northern Peru is. We cross the Sechura desert fighting blowing sand and wind. It is a huge track of land to cross but roads in good condition although desolate with no gas stations, tiny little settlements for 100's of km. Without the litter it would have been spectacular. We have been shocked at the amount of litter covering the landscape of Northern Peru, the worst we have seen since Alaska.

PERU BORDER

PERU TRAFFIC JAM

SECHURA DESERT

We stayed on a Peruvian farm for several days and it was fascinating to see how simple they live in this dry part of the world which also has the largest dry forest in the world. We went horse riding to visit some archeological ruins, in an area known as the Valley of Pyramids in Peru.

PERUVIAN FARMER

Then to the coast where we watched fishermen bring in their catch of the day on tiny little boats called Caballitos, which are made of reeds. They have been using this type of boat for generations.

FISHERMEN RETURNING WITH CATCH

Coming into Peru we cross over a mountain which I named the Ecuadorion road of death it was terrifying!! but we still have to upload the video of this drive. So will let you know when we post it.

Safe travels all

 

[Every Miles A Memory]

Good to see you're into Peru where it looks like they enjoy tourism! Love those boats!

 

[geovalue]

Birthday Pary at Panama Passage

Celebrating my birthday at Panama Passage with overlanders was the best!! We had cake with a picture of our Land Cruiser that took us across Africa, the best cake. My first ever falling in love with a vehicle, I loved that cruiser.

Thanks to Panama Passage and especially Shawn for making my day so special. For all the fellow overlanders who shared the day with me, thanks for making it so memorable.

For those who missed my 60th birthday you can join me on my 65th birthday on the silk road see you there.

 

[geovalue]

Terrifying Roads and More

Traveling overland always offers one unique experiences, some experiences one loves others not so much. One thing I really don't like are roads that seem narrower than the truck and are wrapped around mountains with precipitous drops 1000 feet down. I hate it when I can hear the edge of the road crumbling away as we pass, when I glance out the window and see over the edge with no road in sight. This video is one of those roads.


We drove this terrifying road to reach Peru. Sometimes short cuts are not that short!

We have found Peru amazing and it is not what we anticipated, from deserts, archaeological ruins, beaches and more. We have updated our blog

http://www.adventurouspirits.com/peru-desert-ruins-beaches-and-more/

Safe travels all and stay off the Roads of Death

 

[trailsurfer]

What a great video, and I loved the commentary.

 

[DiploStrat]

By Andean standards, that is a nice, wide road. If it made you uncomfortable, you may wish to forgo the North Yungas road in Bolivia. :Wow1:

 

[geovalue]

By Andean standards, that is a nice, wide road. If it made you uncomfortable, you may wish to forgo the North Yungas road in Bolivia. :Wow1:

Well I could not have said that better myself. We will forgo the North Yungas Rd in Bolivia! and Tom will have to agree to that or he goes by himself. Although perhaps it is worse for the passenger who hangs over the edge. Any I getting too old for this kind of travel? :Wow1:

 

[DiploStrat]

Am I getting too old for this kind of travel? :Wow1:

Never! You have already proven it. While I have driven the road you videoed, I have never done the North Yungas road. Beloved Spouse did, once, and only had one collision. A fighter pilot friend did it and described it as the scariest thing he had ever done.

And for those who would dismiss these concerns, the issue is the unique combination of narrow, unpaved and often slippery roads, serious drop-offs, and lots of fast traffic on blind corners. Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia can raise the pucker factor a few notches.

 

[dule0911]

Fascinating stuff, thanks for sharing