Day 19. Tuesday, 17th September. From Ipiales, Colombia to Finca Sommerwind in Ibarra, Ecuador. 94 Miles.

Ipiales

Saying goodbye to our host, Monica and her old colonial house, we were on the road by 09.30.

The border with Ecuador was very close, so by 09.50 we were at the crossing.

Border Crossing

First to Customs to cancel our TIP (Temporary Import Permit). There was no one waiting in the office. A lady and a gentleman behind the desk were very friendly and asked for my passport. A few quick entries into the computer and my passport was handed back. You’re all done, they said. I couldn’t believe how quick and simple it was.

Meanwhile Dennis had parked Poki. We noticed two other overland vehicles parked nearby. One Dutch and one German. We were directed to the Immigration building. There was a bit of a queue and it wasn’t moving very fast. According to the signs there were supposed to be two queues. One for people leaving Colombia and another for arrivals into the country.

After waiting a few minutes and making no progress, I went and asked the security guard who was monitoring the queue, if we were in the right place, if we were leaving Colombia. A gentleman who spoke English told us to wait nearer the front of the queue. So, once again we were quickly at a desk and stamped out of the country.

The Ecuador border was right next door. We were directed where to park and then pointed in the direction of Immigration. A short queue and again, in about 10 minutes we were through with a 90 day entry stamp in our passports,

Finally, another TIP was required. This was the longest procedure, but compared to African borders, was a piece of cake. And there was no cost. Fortunately, the official spoke a little English and after noting Poki’s, my passport and both our driving licence details, he asked us to use his camera to take a photo of the front and rear of the vehicle and the VIN number.  I now have a document which has to be returned when we exit Ecuador.

Formalities complete we drove up to the exit where we expected to be searched, but the Customs official just waived us through. I hope all borders will be this easy.

We were immediately onto the E35, the Pan American Highway. The first thing we noticed was the good roads and signposting. 

The first town before Ibarra

It was a chilly night last night. We were at almost 3,000 meters, though. Such a difference in the south of Colombia, compared to the boiling, steamy north. This morning was very overcast and it rained as we proceeded into Ecuador. 

Where as the Colombian side of the border had been very steep, dry mountains, the Ecuador side was gentler and mostly cultivated. It seems, from first impressions, more organised. Cars not jumping red lights etc. We weren’t sure if drivers here would observe no overtaking on double yellow lines. Definitely not. Everyone does it, even the police cars.

Ibarra

We headed for Ibarra and a campsite called Finca Sommerwind. As the name indicates, it is German owned and known to all overlanders. The facilities are supposedly the best in Ecuador. A bar, restaurant, barbecue area and selling yummy cakes, bread and other goodies. As well, of course, as good shower and toilet facilities.

Before heading for the campsite we drove into the centre of Ibarra to find a supermarket. We had deliberately run down our supplies as we feared Customs may not let us take certain things, like fruit and veg, across the border. We needn’t have worried though. 

Having looked up a large supermarket on Google Maps we arrived at the arrival point, but could see no sign of the shop. We were stopped at traffic light and a teenager asked if he could take a photo of Poki. This happens a lot! Of course, we said and asked him where the supermarket was. He gave us some directions, but once we pulled away we could see the supermarket set back from the road. It had been out of sight initially. Parking in the car park, another group of teenagers wanted to photograph Poki.

It was a good supermarket. Well stocked and I could get everything we needed. Lots of fruit and veg, pork chops, eggs, oats etc. Two large bag fulls at a cost of just under US$17.00. Very reasonable prices. On our way to Ibarra we had passed two tolls. US$1 each. Much cheaper than Colombia. Ecuador uses the US$ as it’s currency. Nice and easy.

Finca Sommerwind

Finca Sommerwind is located by a racing track, which is also beside a lake. It seems to be a recreational area and we had to pay 50 cents to enter. Practice sessions appeared to be going on and we were given a leaflet promoting racing this coming Saturday. Dennis would have liked to have watched it.

The receptionist spoke English and on checking in I had to write our details in a book. We were the third overlanders to arrive that day and interestingly the first arrivals were Kiwis. They were on a motorbike and we met them later. 

We are parked and set up next to a Swiss couple, Peter and Anita who have been on the road in their Ducato camper for nearly two years. Later we had beers in the bar together. While we were chatting the two overlanding vehicles we had seen at the border arrived. The Dutch and German couple. We were all introduced and chatted for a bit – in English, of course. It’s embarrassing how Europeans all speak such excellent English, while our command of their languages is either poor, or nonexistent.

Returning to Poki, we cooked a smaller dinner. We had been naughty and eaten two huge portions of apple cake earlier. It’s another cool night, so the duvet is on our bed. So much nicer than trying to sleep when it’s unbearably hot and humid.

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