2. Quito
Day 106
From Ibarra to Quito is only a short ride about 130 km. So no rush. Nothing really outstanding along the route. High altitude road, riding above 2,500m. I have an apartment booked for 3 days in Quito.
Getting to Quito was easier then expected. There was traffic there but nothing like Bogota or Medellín. The first thing I’ve noticed was the lack of motorcycles. Maybe only 10% of what you encounter in Colombia. My apartment is in the middle of the town so I can park my bike and walk everywhere.
But before I got to my apartment I stopped at adventure touring company which was 2 blocks from my apartment. I saw the company’s website and it all looked very professional. As I don’t have a slightest idea where to ride in Ecuador, why not ask the locals. I knocked at the gate and told the guy what I want and he let me into their compound. Wow, it was like a small oasis in the middle of downtown high-rises. Dozens of bikes, a well equipped shop, BBQ place. Perfect. I sat down and they offered me a drink, nice. In a few moments the owner of the company Court and the manager Sylvian came over and we talked bikes. Then Court took me to their briefing room which would fit a Fortune 500 company equipped with big screen TVs, maps and pic from their trips. Court showed me on the map routes which I should take. I listened and took notes. When I asked where is the nearest place where I can wash my bike he told me they have their own washing bay and a pressure washer. Have at it. So I did. It was all more then I expected to get. Everything there looked very clean, organized and professional. The company specializes on providing guided and self guide motorcycle tours through Ecuador. They offer bike rentals as well or you can ride your own bike. The company is called Ecuador Freedom Bike Rental. At the end they even gave me their T-shirt. Lovely gift, I much appreciate it.
It is time to get to my apartment. It is in the next block so I am there in 5’. I picked up my keys at the reception manned 24/7. Super secure. I rode my bike to another entrance to the underground garage. Again, a big gate guarded by a security around the clock. My bike has never been more secure. The apartment itself is really nice, on the 14th floor. Fully equipped kitchen and also there is a washer and dryer. Nice, I can clean up everything.
The next few days I explore Quito. Very clean, the main park is right in front of my building. Lots of restaurants around me, I won’t be hungry. I took a sightseeing bus, a nice way to quickly see the city. It was a sunny day and I was on a double decker sitting on the top. I forgot the altitude and the sun and ended up with nice lobster colour in just couple hours. Quito is huge and spreads alongside the valley. The main thing you need to pay attention is the altitude. You feel it immediately if you want to do any physical activities. Most of the city is around 2,800m.
I like it there so much that I extended my stay for another two day. No rush, I am on my extended vacations with no timeline.
It is interesting to see all those hills towering around you but you are already at 3,000m! They have a cable car going up to one of those hill at northern part of Quito. The best way to get around the town it to take a taxi. Very affordable, 20’ ride from apartment to the cable car station was $4. You can’t go wrong. The tickets are cheap as well. I even remembered that I am a senior citizen now and asked for a discount. I showed my ID and got it, no questions asked. $6 round trip. The similar gondola in my town cost $66 … 18’ ride up and you are almost at 4,000m! The view is unbelievable. You see the entire valley, the airport and the snow covered volcanos peaking through the clouds. Then I discovered that there are hiking trails going from the top stations up deeper and higher to the mountains. As any self respected adventurer, I pressed on. I was very quickly reminded again that 1/ I am not 18 anymore and 2/ I have never hiked at altitude above 4,000m! I feel like I was climbing Everest. Walked slowly a few hundred meters and stopped for the rest. Repeat. Many times. I was going higher and higher and taking more pictures. I was lucky that the wether was cooperating and the visibility was great. I came to the point at 4,217m and decided it was enough and turned around. On the way down I’ve got a visit from a pair falcons. Obviously accustomed to humans they came within 2m of me. I took many pic of them, some of them good enough for my portfolio. It was a nice hike, I will sleep well tonight.
On one of my walks I came across a restaurant called Golden Prague. Well, I can’t just walk by so I got in. Czech memorabilia on the walls, half of the menu was Czech meals. So I ordered a beer and OMG, I was in heaven. Beer and food was good so I was there for dinner the next 3 nights … I was treated like a local at the end. A nice touch.
Quito surprised me in a nice way. Clean, with lots of parks, shopping malls full of people which would be envy in any NA city. It was a nice to have a few days there. But there is more world to explore. I have decide to head east through the Andes and head to the Amazonas region.