Feb. 5

February 4

We had a nice rest day in Otavalo, visited the town and the market, mostly indigenous people. Very shy but will sneak a look at Norbert, he sticks out above all.

We stayed at the Hostal La Luna, did laundry and took a taxi in to town. In the afternoon we went to a crater lake at 9000 feet was quite cold.we tried to get the mandatory insurance for the Van but can only get it in Iberra or Quito, so we did not want to drive back to Iberra and will get it in Quito.  We crossed the Equator today at noon and our GPS. read N 00'000 W 78'10.30.1
. that will not happen too often. Had a nice drive to Quito but when we got close to town traffic is total chaos, hired a taxi to guide us to the hostal. When we got there it was full, so we stated looking for a spot for the camper.

One parking lot wanted $80.00 per nite, we are now parked for $20.00 per nite in the new part of town. Went to visit the historical sector, very impressive 7 churches within 4 blocks. I have seen a lot of churches in a lot of countries but the church here floored me. There is so much gold, it is obscene.  The craftsmanship is fantastic, two of the churches took 160 years to complete. Tomorrow we will take the Teleferico and visit some museums. But first we will try to get the Insurance.

Hugs to all.

Norbert and Greti 

P.S.

Sorry for the small pictures and no descriptions, I had to send it from my ipad and could not work it.

Painting outside church in Otavalo

Finally found a market wih frsh vegetavled.

Lago Mojanda

Our camping spot in Otavalo

Divided.

Blue Wonder can not hide

Hostal La Luna

A delicacy in South America 

Jan.31

January 31

Left Popayan early as we had a 220km. Drive to Pasto. We drove up to 10,000 feet.

We wanted to hike up to Volcan Galeras but it was closed due to activity. Went to Laguna la Cotcha, the lake is at 9,500 meters. Had the best smoked trout ever so that was Norbert's birthday dinner. In the morning we visited the village, imitation swiss chalets.  Norbert seems to attract all stray dogs who want to go with him.

Went to Las Lajas, a beautiful church built in a canyon and a must see. As soon as we parked we had about 10 people who wanted to see the Blue Wonder.

One lady commented "what luxury and how elegant" I did not tell her that in the US someone called her a shitbox. i guess different values. 

Crossed the border in to Ecuador, first to export the van from Colombia and do our exit visas, then visas for Ecuador and import the van, all together 3 hours as we had to wait for the officer to have his dinner, first we could not import without Insurance but as no insurance was available ( she ran out of forms) and after Norbert sweet talked her we did get the paperwork done and will buy insurance in Otovalo.

We are now in Julio Andrade in a secure and fenced parking lot with toilets at a cost of one dollar per nite. Gas here is $1.50 per gallon and our dinner of french fries and eggs with sausage plus drink for two people was &2.70. What a difference from Colombia.

Thank you all for the Birthday wishes for Norbert and your mails.

Hugs to all.

Norbert and Greti.

Biting the hand that feeds you

Old man in modern young man in traditional

Women stick to the traditional

Lucky we did not have to leave

I did not buy the melon but gave then a lollypop and took their photo so she gave me the melon,

this is up the mountain

Soup vendor

the fields are worked up to 9000 feet.

Lago La Cotcha

Another of Norberts dogs

His companion also wants to come along

At the Coffee Finka, 

Cathedral Las Lajas

Crowd gathering to view the Blue Wonder

Farewell Colombia

Welcome Ecuador

Waiting for the officer to have his dinner

Jan. 29

We are now in Salerno.

The drive from Soacha to Armenia is 190 km. and it took us 7 hours and we had to stop the cool the brakes. Lots of truck traffic, it seems that trucks are restricted during the week but not on weekends so that is when all the trucks are on the road. It sure was a white knuckle day for me. Stopped at a gas station and asked if we could park for the nite, he allowed us to park beside his house, I had a good nite but Manfred and Monika and Norbert were woken up at regular intervals by dog barking and rooster (I do not know how to write crowing) but you get the message. Today was a short drive to Valle de Cocora. Very beautiful alpine setting. We went for a 6 hour hike, refreshing after so many day's sitting in the van and very little walking. The views were stunning and the vegetation new to us. Also lots of birds I have never seen before. 

Thanks for your mail

Hugs to all

Norbert and Greti

This is the rooster Monika wanted to kill.

Internet? always the first question 

Nor quite the Grind but close

Hard to believe we are in Columbia

Will the clouds hold off until we get down?

We made it down before the rain.

Jan.28

We spent. A rest day in Valle de Leyva, did some shopping (grocery) and found a fantastic French cafe where we had the best coffee and pastry, and to top it off french banquets. Had a shower and did laundry.so a very productive day.

As it was a Hostel there were lots of tourists from Canada Alaska Germany Spain.

So we had good conversations. Lots of questions about our trip, Lee from Alberta almost joined us as this is one of his dreams. We also found a store with good cold cuts and German sausage, so we stocked up. The hardest thing to find is vegetables, lots of fruit everywhere but no vegetables. Stopped for gas and again the attendants asked to see the inside of the Blue Wonder, it was the first time that thy saw a camper from the inside. In the parking of the church a young man came over to take pictures of the Van, he spent 6 months in Manitoba as an exchange student and dreams of going back, his parents were so proud when thy heard him speak english. 

Today we drove to Zipaquira and toured the Cathedral de Sal. It is a salt mine and in the tunnels is a church, it was a 2 hour tour.  We got back on the road quite late so had to look for parking fast as it was getting dark. We are now parked behind a restaurant, nice and private, only payment required is a tour of the Blue Wonder.

We keep marvelling at the beautiful countryside.

Hug to all and thank you for your mail.

Norbert and Greti

all work stops when thy see the Canadian Flag.

we had a nice chat about our travels and questions about Canada

Open house for gas station attendants

no words needed

Lunch Break

Wonderful alpine meadows

The camping fee was a tour of the camper.

January 23

From Medellin we drove to Guatepe and from there to Arceabuco.

Very poor road with lots of rough patches. 100 km. and it took us 6 hours.

The last part with heavy rain and lightening. Amazing waterfalls but also flooding in the valley. It was quite cool so we had a good sleep.

Manfred woke us at 6am. As a car had backed in to his camper, very little damage to his camper but the car was worse off. 

Visited the town of Tunja. Lots of historical buildings in very good condition and we toured some 500 year old churches. The countryside is stunning, of all the countries so far I like Columbia the best, it is also that the people are very friendly. 

We are now in Villa de Leyva were we have WiFi, HOT showers and clean toilets plus we are parked in a nice garden, it is a hotel with camping facilities. There are people here from Alberta, and believe it or not North Vancouver. Small world.

Again we will have a cool nite as we are at 7000 feet.

Hugs to all.

Norbert and Greti

Church in Arceabuco

Blue Wonder parked for the nite

shoeshine in Tunja

Private Church from 1650 in Tunja

you can always spot the Blue Wonder

countryside

For once I felt tall

church in Tunja

This is one of the better roads

Lots of farms but no vegetables in the store

Our campsite in Valle De Leyva with all amenities

Add captionSunrise in Arceabuco