Colombia to Ecuador - A border with class!

When its time to move on to a new country, the one thing you dread second to immigration queues is border towns. They’re depressing places, usually full of unsavoury types who would love to get their hands on some gringo money – often in the form of a money exchangers.

Actually, for the first time we came upon a new trick. - a calculator that’s wired to make the wrong sums. Yes, the ‘kind’ man lends you his calculator, you divide one number by a given exchange rate, and hey presto you’re down ten dollars. Unless you’re on the ball, it’s easy to fall for and not so much a rip off that you immediately notice. Never mind.

Where was I? Oh yeah, border towns. Well, if you find yourself heading to Ecuador from Colombia then brighten up the experience by visiting a spectacular church just outside of Ipiales. It’s the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Las Lajas and it’s well worth it a look. You only really need an hour to get a collectivo (white taxis) there, take it all in and a few snaps, and then head back to the business of crossing the border.

The border crossing was very smooth. And on the Ecuador side the officials didn’t even try to act …official. One in particular was playing a latino song on his iphone and singing along to it. It certainly lifted the mood!

Ecuador’s border town, Tulcan, on the other hand is very much as dull and depressing as you come to expect. Still, you don’t have to be there long. Once you’ve been hassled by five guys trying to sell you the same bus ticket (you only need one guy, how do they make a living splitting it five ways?), you’re on your way towards Quito. It’s then time to relax and take in more impressive landscapes. Almost immediately it’s more striking than south-western Colombia, and that’s no mean feat!