We were out of the gas station by 8:00 am looking to get some propane and have the Tiger washed. For some reason at the 4 places we tried all said NO!. We drove a few miles north to a propane plant, they were willing to fill Bernie's portable bottle but initially said they could not fill the tank on the Tiger. However, after a while, and we think a discussion with the plant boss they story changed and I drove the Tiger into the plant. Like in Central America, at first, the plants pump could not force propane into the tank against the pressure of gas in the tank. But eventually they cranked up the pump pressure and we got topped up.
Back in Pasto we picked up the now repaired RV and headed down the highway towards Ecuador. The highway was another series of huge open valleys with the road twisting along their flanks, descending down to and then up from the rivers at the bottom of the valleys.
The border crossing was straight forward, thanks in part to simple procedures by both countries and also thanks to a print out that Sandra had from a website called bumfuzzle.
In Ecuador the terrain continued to consist of large valleys, but somewhat dryer. The road remained a good quality tollway, but still mountainous.
Ecuador uses the US dollar as its currency, and at our first fuel stop we discovered that we could get diesel for $1.03 per gallon.
We arrived in Otavalo, our destination for the night, about 4:30 and hoped that some of its famous Saturday market was still in operation. We we got right in amongst the market, as Bernie who was leading at this time, turned into one of the market streets in the heart of Otavalo. We spent 20 minutes negotiating our way between the stalls and at one point I clipped the canopy cover on one stall knocking the vendors merchandise onto the roadway. Fortunately nothing was broken and a small payment seemed to mend the social gaff.
After a bit of exploring we decided to head for the campground that I had heard about. There were a few navigational adventures involved in this, but we got there just as one of the owners sons turned up to let us in. What a stroke of luck as we would have had no idea how to contact them otherwise.
Camping
The place we stayed tonight is called Rincon Del Viajero Camping, it is a few kilometers away from the center of town. The owners have a hotel similarly named but we never found it. We had a little trouble finding the place so I will give what I hope are useful directions. Its location is N00° 13.128' W78° 16.600' along the road to Laguana Mojanda. As you travel along the PanAm highway south bypassing the center of the town you will see a sign indicating Laguana Mojanda to the right (West) and then a little while later (a few hundred meters) a set of traffic lights at N 00° xx.xxx'. Turn right (west) at the lights and then take the left fork of the y-intersection that is almost immediate. Travel up this road. You should see a sign for the campground high up on a wall to the right just before the road forks again. The sign is at N00° XX.XXX W78° xx.xxx.
