Loja

This time fewer photos but... good news! Although the land borders between Peru and Ecuador were closed for three days during the Ecuadorian elections, they reopened this morning and we were able to cross (through a less frequented border crossing) in less than two hours. We are currently on the shore of a lake in a park near Loja where you can camp for free. A very quiet area... Tomorrow we leave for Cuenca (distance 215 km).

First impressions of Ecuador are good, the roads are in acceptable condition, there is more variety of shopping than in Peru or Bolivia, and the road traffic is obviously much more civilized than in Peru. Compared to the semi-desert aridity of northern Peru, the lush mountains and fresh air of southern Ecuador are a relief. But the biggest difference between Peru and Ecuador is that Ecuador is much cleaner. Unfortunately, in Peru a large percentage of the population is so stupid that they simply throw their garbage in the street, or garbage bags along the roads, in parking lots, etc. I have often seen bus drivers in Peru throwing PET bottles out the window after drinking the contents.Læs mere