18.052 miles ; CUZCO , PERU.

It was a long drive to Cuzco , good roads but one curb after another.but finally we got here , it is a nice city but it is so cold , because of height 3300m .

16.987 miles ; PACIFIC COAST PERU.

Driving the deserts of Peru for 3 days , big country , we are driving medium 500 miles a day to get in Cusco for visiting Machu Pichu .

16.254 miles ; SALINAS , GUAYAQUIL

We've been in the country 3 days. Leaving Colombia was a great relief from the shear fact the roads were like riding on air. Luc never trade the Suburban for the new Ford either! Twenty four toll booths (I counted) at between 4 and $6. Ecuador 4 at $1.00 each for brand new roads! Americans, did you ever wonder where the $1 coins went? They are all here as this country uses the dollar for currency. Okay, on the way to Quito we crossed the equator. A 5900 meter volcano with snow on the top and the lower valley had many green houses with masses of flowers. Quito was 4 million people strung out in the valley between the mountains. Similar to Colombia there is not any trash in the city. The graffiti artists are not present either. The country is not covered in trash of any amount. Quito had a very vibrant night life and a beautiful old city. Also a tram that took people to 4100 meters. Cold winds were blowing.
Leaving Quito toward Guayaquil is one main mountain range to go through before driving at least 75 kilometers through "Dole" banana plantations. Flat area with other smaller rice and corn acreage. Guayaquil is a lower city where the river enter into the ocean. Ecuador's main port town. A great new Malecon, but the city was difficult to find restaurants. Enjoyed visiting with locals at the square. Eleven year old Pedro offered to show us the bars !!, we declined. Left town rather early heading Northwest to the beach area of Ecuador..Salinas, Water temperature around 25 C, beaches are 80% light brown sand with the occasional black vulcanic sands added. Short on people as the season is from Dec through Feb, and then Easter week. Lots of Condos and townhouse in highrises empty. Night life later... Mark

15.902 miles ; QUITO EQUADOR.

The tenth border , Colombia – Ecuador , was the quickest until now , only 25 minutes . looks impossible . A good change , the roads are very good in Ecuador, a very organised country.
Quito is warm at daytime and pretty cold at night , just see some photos in the link .

15.657 miles ; SOUTH COLOMBIA.

Colombia is a beautiful country with a lot of bad roads ,it is the only country that i know where you pay for using the roads, full of holes .
Nice cities like Kali ,changing climate each 100 miles , from cold to hot , humid to dry , because of the change of hieght.

14.985 miles ; MEDELLIN.

We left a small cattle/ranching town of Cauasia. It had rained all nite. 50 kilometers down the road we encountered a mud slide. All traffic both directions stopped. Fortunately a small town was at hand and Luc was able to change oil in the suburban while waiting. From here it was mountain driving roughly 4000meters high. Medellin lies in the valley along the river Medellin, 3 million plus people. Seventy five percent of the homes have mountain views! Not much on paint being mainly natural red brick in color, tin or tile roofs. The citie’s above ground tram runs the length of the valley with one Historical spur going up through the “favela” to Arbi, A National Park. This Cable Car Tram is world reknown and has been observed by nations around the world as a way for city residents to access their homes. The unique temperature and elevation produce trees and plant specimans know only to Arbi. Luc and I both agree that this is the longest tram we have been on. Medellin was home to the Panamerican Games, the sport complex is well maintained and used quite extensively by city residents, with a tram stop next door. The local markets and street vendors were packed..It was Saturday, however. Loud Salsa music continues on into the morning as nite clubs don’t close until 4:00am.

14.617 miles ; CARTAGENA , COLOMBIA.

After two days in customs and port offices , finally I got mi car back , that was shipped in Panama 8 days ago. Back on the road today to Medellin .