3/4/2013 Posorja to San Carlos
D45, T2.26, Av18.39, Max33, Tot12449, 2307
Fine and hot, medium humidity.
Loading and getting up really early, a walk was taken down the Malecón, firstly the nearest fisherman, guided me to others down the footpath.
They said they could do it, though for $200, it was true, shit. Someone yesterday had told me this is what it may cost. After a heap of haggling he still wouldn’t budge.
The thought of the ride to Guayaquil and down the other coast made me say, “vamos".
It was about a 22ft skiff with a 75 on the back. With the ocean as always flat the 30 mile trip would not render the bike soaked in seawater.
The fisherman and his mate were good guys. It was an enjoyable 3 hours on silky smooth water.
We stopped for a short while at Puná on Isla Cerros de Yanzúm, the biggest town on the island. The sea out here had a brown ochre colour to it. Not at all inviting.
He had never been to Puerto Balao, so a few other fisherman across the bay were asked, finally we followed a canoe with an outboard up the river to our destination.
Arriving up at the landing place on the river we unloaded and I went on my way, though cleaning the mud off my feet first.
Lunch was had in town, a delicious whole crab soup and prawns in rice. Over lunch it was such a nice feeling to know I had successfully eliminated 70 odd km of road to and near Guayaquil. Two hundred well spent I had to admit.
Guayaquil can be a rather dangerous place, if you are in the wrong place around dodgy company.
From here I got to the main road to Machala from Guayaquil, bloody busy I might add.
I was in a town called San Carlos, not on any of my maps. There are so many of these busy towns not on my map.
Anyway, needing to know where the road to Cuenca left this main road.
Heaps of people were asked no one really knew, 30 km , south, north, look for a pay station,
I rode south for twenty km, still asking still no positive reply.
This country here is heavily cultivated in bananas and cacao. Some banana plantations reaching as far as the eye could see. After all Ecuador is the world’s biggest exporter of bananas. It was all flat land.
Asking a truck driver he said go back north till you see a gas station. Turn left there.
Getting back at the gas station it was right in the middle of San Carlos. Talk about a look around the place.
I had spent half an hour fixing a flat not more than 100metres from this turn off.
This just indicates than many people never leave their towns, their lives are happily contained with or in the near vicinity.
Getting back at 1500 hrs. Some petrol was bought and the chain, crank and cassette were thoroughly cleaned. It had been decided to put this off until the coast is departed. Most of the roads in the last month have all has some sand present.
Some new rubber gloves were also purchased for the next time this has to be done.
The only hotel in town was booked on the corner of the infamous road to Cuenca.
Locals have told me it is a bit rough in places. There are some 3 roads the all head to Cuenca within 70 km of here.
Five dollars a night, very modest abode, though totally sufficient for one night.
Locals have told me it is a bit rough in places. There are some 3 roads the all head to Cuenca within 70 km of here.
The owner is a nice guy.
He took me on his motorbike to feed his chooks and show me his house.
Dinner was had, on the corner for about half an hour eating chicken, yucca and salad and drinking 7 cups of the most refreshing lemon juice.
A chat was enjoyed with the fishmonger alongside.
It had been a day where some time had been saved in a most pleasurable way on the bay. Though some of this was lost due to not finding the road east to Cuenca.
Staying here tonight is perfect, with a fresh start east and upward in the morning.
I am looking forward to the cool air, I am also looking forward to the challenge of riding up to 4200m in the El Cajas National Recreation Area.
D45, T2.26, Av18.39, Max33, Tot12449, 2307
Fine and hot, medium humidity.
Loading and getting up really early, a walk was taken down the Malecón, firstly the nearest fisherman, guided me to others down the footpath.
They said they could do it, though for $200, it was true, shit. Someone yesterday had told me this is what it may cost. After a heap of haggling he still wouldn’t budge.
The thought of the ride to Guayaquil and down the other coast made me say, “vamos".
It was about a 22ft skiff with a 75 on the back. With the ocean as always flat the 30 mile trip would not render the bike soaked in seawater.
The fisherman and his mate were good guys. It was an enjoyable 3 hours on silky smooth water.
We stopped for a short while at Puná on Isla Cerros de Yanzúm, the biggest town on the island. The sea out here had a brown ochre colour to it. Not at all inviting.
He had never been to Puerto Balao, so a few other fisherman across the bay were asked, finally we followed a canoe with an outboard up the river to our destination.
Arriving up at the landing place on the river we unloaded and I went on my way, though cleaning the mud off my feet first.
Lunch was had in town, a delicious whole crab soup and prawns in rice. Over lunch it was such a nice feeling to know I had successfully eliminated 70 odd km of road to and near Guayaquil. Two hundred well spent I had to admit.
Guayaquil can be a rather dangerous place, if you are in the wrong place around dodgy company.
From here I got to the main road to Machala from Guayaquil, bloody busy I might add.
I was in a town called San Carlos, not on any of my maps. There are so many of these busy towns not on my map.
Anyway, needing to know where the road to Cuenca left this main road.
Heaps of people were asked no one really knew, 30 km , south, north, look for a pay station,
I rode south for twenty km, still asking still no positive reply.
This country here is heavily cultivated in bananas and cacao. Some banana plantations reaching as far as the eye could see. After all Ecuador is the world’s biggest exporter of bananas. It was all flat land.
Asking a truck driver he said go back north till you see a gas station. Turn left there.
Getting back at the gas station it was right in the middle of San Carlos. Talk about a look around the place.
I had spent half an hour fixing a flat not more than 100metres from this turn off.
This just indicates than many people never leave their towns, their lives are happily contained with or in the near vicinity.
Getting back at 1500 hrs. Some petrol was bought and the chain, crank and cassette were thoroughly cleaned. It had been decided to put this off until the coast is departed. Most of the roads in the last month have all has some sand present.
Some new rubber gloves were also purchased for the next time this has to be done.
The only hotel in town was booked on the corner of the infamous road to Cuenca.
Locals have told me it is a bit rough in places. There are some 3 roads the all head to Cuenca within 70 km of here.
Five dollars a night, very modest abode, though totally sufficient for one night.
Locals have told me it is a bit rough in places. There are some 3 roads the all head to Cuenca within 70 km of here.
The owner is a nice guy.
He took me on his motorbike to feed his chooks and show me his house.
Dinner was had, on the corner for about half an hour eating chicken, yucca and salad and drinking 7 cups of the most refreshing lemon juice.
A chat was enjoyed with the fishmonger alongside.
It had been a day where some time had been saved in a most pleasurable way on the bay. Though some of this was lost due to not finding the road east to Cuenca.
Staying here tonight is perfect, with a fresh start east and upward in the morning.
I am looking forward to the cool air, I am also looking forward to the challenge of riding up to 4200m in the El Cajas National Recreation Area.
The "first mate".
It was so nice to know that riding through Quayaquil was not required.
|
This white heron was catching a lift and a free feed. Heading up the river to Puerto Balao
Puerto Balao
These birds just love roosting on wires in the busiest places they find. Known locally as Golondrinas.
|
