Category: travel
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La vida bohemia en Cuenca [28/50]
Occasionally when traveling with a bit of time on one’s hands, one stumbles upon a place in which they identify so strongly that they find it difficult to leave . Cuenca in southern Ecuador was such a place for me. With a rich historical landscape suited for flanerie, a vibrant nightlife, small bohemian bars and…
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Quito: the world’s highest capital? [27/50]
I have never been the greatest fan of empirical observations that purport to measure the “world’s highest” or the “world’s biggest” or the “world’s longest”. There is something a little bit hillbilly about seeing the world this way; something a bit Western Australian or Alaskan perhaps (i.e., lots of geography with a sprinkle of culture).…
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Banos: city of rain [26/50]
A few hours south of Quito is the spectacular mountain town of Banos, nestled under the active volcano, Tungurahua. Volcan Tungurahua tends to errupt frequently, including relatively recently, but the locals always come back, minus a few relatives, limbs and layers of skin. There are many adventures to be had in Banos, mostly focused upon…
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The Quilotoa Loop, Ecuador [25/50]
South of Quito, the picturesque capital of Ecuador, and near the mighty volcano Cotopaxi, there is a loop that connects many small indigenous communities via road. Many intrepid travelers walk the loop, or take the bus, but David and I decided to do it on the moto. We spent the first night in Latacunga, a…
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The erupting hat of volcano Cotopaxi [24/50]
The past week after leaving Colombia I have been in Ecuador where I met my friend David loitering within the ‘Avenue of Volcanoes’ in a small village called Cotacachi. I missed Colombia as soon as I crossed the border, especially the soldiers on the side of the road decked-out in full combat gear, adorned with…
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The temperatures of Colombia [23/50]
Colombia has one of the most diverse climates of any region that I have ever encountered; from tropical beaches, to cool cloud forests, to misty towns in the mountains, to dusty lawless deserts fit only for banditos. Riding a motorcycle over this geography is challenging as it is almost impossible to predict what the temperature…