Day 1: Peru to Ecuador (Arequipa to Chala)
We set off early and were very excited when we spied the ocean. The kids were happy to camp at Puerto Inka once again. It was nice to fall asleep to the sound of the waves lapping right at our doorstep!
We set off early and were very excited when we spied the ocean. The kids were happy to camp at Puerto Inka once again. It was nice to fall asleep to the sound of the waves lapping right at our doorstep!
Day 2: Peru to Ecuador (Chala to Ica)
We set off relatively early but were held up for 5 hours by a car race. On the way through, the kids picked up their souvenir bracelets in Nazca; we stopped for olives in Yauca and arrived in Ica on dusk.
We set off relatively early but were held up for 5 hours by a car race. On the way through, the kids picked up their souvenir bracelets in Nazca; we stopped for olives in Yauca and arrived in Ica on dusk.
Day 3: Peru to Ecuador (Ica to Huarmey)
Stopped early on by a policeman wanting to take a bribe for incomplete paperwork - so what did we do? We made sure our paperwork was up to date in Chincha and bought some wine while we were there. Drove through Lima and stopped by another two policeman late in the evening near Huaco for a totally unrelated issue - $122 in bribes paid altogether at their request. Arrived in Huarmey about 11.30pm.
Stopped early on by a policeman wanting to take a bribe for incomplete paperwork - so what did we do? We made sure our paperwork was up to date in Chincha and bought some wine while we were there. Drove through Lima and stopped by another two policeman late in the evening near Huaco for a totally unrelated issue - $122 in bribes paid altogether at their request. Arrived in Huarmey about 11.30pm.
Day 4: Peru to Ecuador (Huarmey to Trujillo)
A slightly later start today as we felt a bit tired from our late night of travel. While we did get stuck in the sand at one point, a kind stranger pulled us out preventing us from running behind schedule. We got our photo taken with a large turtle, went through many toll booths on the road and finally checked into our hostel in Trujillo in the early evening. Went for a late night wander around the Plaza de Armas after dinner.
A slightly later start today as we felt a bit tired from our late night of travel. While we did get stuck in the sand at one point, a kind stranger pulled us out preventing us from running behind schedule. We got our photo taken with a large turtle, went through many toll booths on the road and finally checked into our hostel in Trujillo in the early evening. Went for a late night wander around the Plaza de Armas after dinner.
Day 5: Peru to Ecuador (Trujillo)
A work day for me but we managed to get to the Plaza de Armas, visit the toy museum, go out for coffee and hit the mall for a spot of window shopping. Tomorrow we are back on the road...
A work day for me but we managed to get to the Plaza de Armas, visit the toy museum, go out for coffee and hit the mall for a spot of window shopping. Tomorrow we are back on the road...
Day 6: Peru to Ecuador (Trujillo to Chiclayo)
A shorter travel day today (approximately 200km) - we arrived at the hotel just after lunch so the kids could enjoy a swim in the pool.
A shorter travel day today (approximately 200km) - we arrived at the hotel just after lunch so the kids could enjoy a swim in the pool.
Day 7: Peru to Ecuador (Chiclayo to Mancora)
We did the dusty drive across the desert from Chiclayo to Mancora. No police fines or bribes; try as they might. We have definitely seen a variety of scenery on our cross-country trip. Ecuador is in our view...
We did the dusty drive across the desert from Chiclayo to Mancora. No police fines or bribes; try as they might. We have definitely seen a variety of scenery on our cross-country trip. Ecuador is in our view...
Day 8: Peru to Ecuador (Mancora to La Cruz)
Today was not so much a driving day but a day to search for cheap accommodation for the next couple of days while we regrouped; we found it just past Zorritos in a little campground by the beach. The cost: $10 per night with free internet. The day started in Mancora by the beach and a surfing competition and ended up in La Cruz by the beach. A perfect day all in all!
Today was not so much a driving day but a day to search for cheap accommodation for the next couple of days while we regrouped; we found it just past Zorritos in a little campground by the beach. The cost: $10 per night with free internet. The day started in Mancora by the beach and a surfing competition and ended up in La Cruz by the beach. A perfect day all in all!
Day 9: Peru to Ecuador (La Cruz to Tumbes)
We drove to Tumbes in search of a grocery store or at least something resembling it. We found a small market which did the trick and picked up some supplies. A quiet day hanging out in the campground enjoying the sound of the waves ever constant in the background.
We drove to Tumbes in search of a grocery store or at least something resembling it. We found a small market which did the trick and picked up some supplies. A quiet day hanging out in the campground enjoying the sound of the waves ever constant in the background.
Day 10: Peru to Ecuador (La Cruz to Ecuador Border)
We drove to the Ecuador border in the morning to familiarise ourselves with the departure process. Our exit date is set for Wednesday so two more days to hang out and relax. We picked up some more supplies in Tumbes to last us the next couple of days and enjoyed some time at the beach this afternoon. Saw some fellow travellers on the road who had made it all the way from Canada to Peru - our journey in reverse.
We drove to the Ecuador border in the morning to familiarise ourselves with the departure process. Our exit date is set for Wednesday so two more days to hang out and relax. We picked up some more supplies in Tumbes to last us the next couple of days and enjoyed some time at the beach this afternoon. Saw some fellow travellers on the road who had made it all the way from Canada to Peru - our journey in reverse.
Day 11: Peru to Ecuador (La Cruz)
A beautiful day at the campground by the beach. Matt has taken the kids to the beach to play while I do some work. These early campground mornings mean that come 10pm my brain wants to shut down and sleep.
A beautiful day at the campground by the beach. Matt has taken the kids to the beach to play while I do some work. These early campground mornings mean that come 10pm my brain wants to shut down and sleep.
Day 12: Peru to Ecuador (La Cruz, Peru to Guayaquil, Ecuador)
Tonight we are reporting from Guayaquil, Ecuador. Yes, you heard me right! We crossed safe and sound and will be heading to Puerto Cayo tomorrow.
Tonight we are reporting from Guayaquil, Ecuador. Yes, you heard me right! We crossed safe and sound and will be heading to Puerto Cayo tomorrow.
Day 13: Peru to Ecuador (Guayaquil, Ecuador to Puerto Cayo, Ecuador)
We have arrived at our end destination in Puerto Cayo, Ecuador where we will be staying until January. Unfortunately we broke down a few kms away from our destination but found a friendly local to tow us there. We had a few non-driving days of course but what an adventure it has been.
We have arrived at our end destination in Puerto Cayo, Ecuador where we will be staying until January. Unfortunately we broke down a few kms away from our destination but found a friendly local to tow us there. We had a few non-driving days of course but what an adventure it has been.
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