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It was a fast and uneventful ride from Pereira to Cali. It only took me two hours of breaking every traffic law in existence to get to Cali. I stayed a few days in at the Casa Blanca Hostel owned by fellow motorcyclist Mike from Holland. Mike’s hostel is a great place to stay in a nice neighborhood of Cali.
Being a rider himself, Mike caters to motorcycle travelers. The secure, covered bike parking and mechanic shop two doors down is a huge bonus as well. I put on a new chain and front sprocket, and had the mechanic Santiago mount up some LED aux lights for me. I’m running dual 50W HID’s in the headlight mask but I wanted a little more light near the front wheel to more easily see obstacles in the road like rocks, animals, abandoned trucks, and big potholes. I don’t choose to ride in the dark down here, but I have found myself occasionally forced into doing it, so I want all the light I can get in those situations.
I also met another rider headed north on a KLR. Jason started his trip in Argentina and is headed home to L.A. We exchanged some info and tips on places we had been, and spent time hanging out and trading stories.
There were also two other bikers there as well . One guy, Robert, also from L.A. was riding an 2008 Harley Road King. He is a total crack up. My hat is off to him for taking the big Harley on a trip like this, and its pretty cool to see some American Iron headed to Tierra del Fuego. There are Harley riders, and there are Harley riders. Robert is the latter. Harley riders hate looking at their 900 pound bikes from this angle.
So now begins my exit from Colombia. The ride south out of Cali is another wonderful ride in stunning scenery.
The road to the town of Pasto winds through the mountains and takes you to around 9000 feet, where the cool climate is a nice reprieve from the heat of Cali. Pasto sits at around 8600 feet and although the surrounding scenery is beautiful, it is a bit of an unremarkable town, but a good staging place for crossing the border into Ecuador on the following day.
It definitely has that mountain town feel to it, year round jacket weather.
I guess they dont see many travelers here because when I walked down the street, people would stop me, ask me where I was from, welcome me to their country, and ask why in the world I wanted to come to Pasto. I continue to be impressed by the hospitality and friendliness of the Colombian people.
More churches.
I didnt really look around the city very much. It was a travel day for me. However the riding was spectacular, and for this day and the next, I simply soaked upevery twist and turn of the road and the outstanding scenery.
From Pasto to the border at Ipiales is yet another incredible ride. Just as you leave Pasto you climb to almost 11,000 feet and the terrain begins to get a little more arid to where you actually start seeing cacti, and the mountains get bigger.
You can tell that you are starting to get into the Andes proper. I really enjoyed the two days of riding from Cali to Ipiales, it was fantastic. Caught up in the moment, I neglected my picture taking and travelogue duties, but it was the best 2 days of pavement riding I have ever done.
Adios Colombia. I will be back on a motorcycle for sure. What an incredible place. I have to say that Colombia is easily my favorite country in Latin America so far.
The procedures for exiting Colombia takes all of 15 minutes. The officials are courteous and efficient.
Entering Ecuador is simple as well, but more time consuming. There was a line of 50 people at migracion, and only one official working. So it took a good hour and change to get my tourist stamp. Then over at aduana, the customs guy copped a big attitude when he saw my US passport, so he jerked me around for a good two hours before I got my import permit for the bike.
The procedure is simple and straight forward though. I just happened to run into an ass. After I got my permit and I was leaving customs, the other guy in the office followed me outside and apologized for his co-worker being such a jerk. I just smiled at him and told him it was OK, and I was sorry that he had to work with him everyday. He laughed, shook my hand, welcomed me to his country, and wished me safe travels.
I am in Ecuador.
Saludos, Vicente