Riobamba

(DAY231 : Chugchilan - Riobamba : 125 miles)


After finally seeing the lake under sun light, we took another sprint and were filling up in Latacunga by 3pm. We could still make a dash to Riobamba and catch the guide-book-must-do Friday train next morning, then backtrack to Banos for the weekend drinks. Another perfect plan drafted on the fly.

We arrived at Riobamba sometime after 5 pm, but the train station was still open so I walked in to get the bad news and a bus ticket. There had been a land slide. I would have to take a two hour bus ride to Alausi and board the train there. I didn't even know what I was signing for exactly, but the model steam train at the office looked promising.

The $15 windowless hotel room did the trick, and I was on the bus at 6am the next morning. After two hours of loud Ballenato, Cumbia, Reggaeton, and everything in between, I was thrilled to finally be in Alausi, and rushed straight to the train station. Then, I found myself getting on another bus!

There is no train. "The spectacular train ride to Sibambe" refers to an old bus on rails! Grrrrr, that sodding schmonely planet!


"It's a train! It's a bus! No, it's..." What the heck is it?

As for the recommended roof ride. Well, a bus has a much smaller roof, and space for only two up front. So I was happy to be the second person up there. But then, the first person told the second: "Sorry man, I promised to hold that space for a girl, she went to get coffee." I still wonder if it was too harsh a response to throw him overboard.

The thingy did take us for a one hour, somewhat fun ride. But honestly, it was rubbish compared to our rides with Katirga. I'd say stick to your wheels and leave this one to the backpacking, space-holding crowd.




Done with the ride, I had to endure another (real) bus trip, then packed up and headed back north to Banos.