5. \u00a0Culture<\/strong><\/h2>\nPeople who enter Ecuador from the North are sure to be impressed by the large and modern, but still largely\u00a0indigenous\u00a0market town of Otavalo. Both men and woman here dress in their traditional attire, which includes strings of gold beads around the necks of the women, and short, white pants and ponytails on the men.<\/div>\nSpanish is still a second language for many residents and it’s not uncommon to overhear a conversation in their native tongue, Quichua. For a light-travelling cyclist, the only thing harder than leaving Otavalo would be to leave without one of the beautiful, locally made alpaca wool products.<\/div>\n\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/otavalo.jpg\" "\\"otavalo\\"")
<\/a>This is the truly exotic side of South America.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n4. \u00a0 Scenery<\/strong><\/h2>\nFor me, it was impossible not to be amazed by the hillside, patchwork farms throughout the country.<\/div>\nThe colors and shapes they create add to what is already an amazing landscape. A bicycle traveler will also encounter\u00a0snow-capped\u00a0volcanoes, beautiful sweeping views over wide, green valleys, dense jungle and at times even desert!<\/div>\nThe unusual\u00a0Frailejones, found in El Angel Ecological Reserve, will definitely remind you that you’re in a very unique place.<\/div>\n\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/farms.jpg\" "\\"farms\\"")
<\/a>Stunning scenery makes all that pedaling worth the effort.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n3. \u00a0 Fruit<\/strong><\/h2>\nMuch of the fruit in Ecuador is unique to South America and nearly impossible to find elsewhere.<\/div>\nFrom the common pineapples, bananas, and passion fruit, to the less well known granadillas and naranjillas, to the virtually unheard of pitahayas and uvillas, you’re sure to be in for a treat if you enjoy trying exotic fruits.<\/div>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/fruit.jpg\" "\\"fruit\\"")
<\/a><\/div>\n2. \u00a0 Adventure<\/strong><\/h2>\nWith the variety of the landscapes and roads to be found in Ecuador, having a boring day will be nearly impossible.<\/div>\nFrom the steep cobblestone climbs around the crater lake Quilotoa, to the rutted, unpaved downhill through the jungle after Sangay National Park, to the unimaginably steep climbs in southern Ecuador, you’ll wake up every morning wondering what new adventure the day will bring.<\/div>\n\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/scenery.jpg\" "\\"scenery\\"")
<\/a>Get your adventure fix in Ecuador.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n1. \u00a0 Galapagos Islands<\/strong><\/h2>\nWhile you can’t do a whole lot by bike on the Galapagos Islands, no “Ecuador Top 5” list would be complete without mentioning it.<\/div>\nA\u00a0truly\u00a0unique place, the Galapagos Islands have made a big impression on Charles Darwin as well as everyone who has visited since. The curious Blue Footed boobies, giant\u00a0tortoises, friendly sea lions and salt-spewing iguanas will be sure to leave an impact on you as well.<\/div>\n\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/galapagos.jpg\" "\\"galapagos\\"")
<\/a>Not to be missed.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>About the Author<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>\nPaul Gareau got his first taste of touring in 2002 with a short trip around the northeastern United States.<\/div>\nSince then he has completed nine other tours, and wrote this article towards the end of his two and a half year trip from Fairbanks, Alaska to Ushuaia, Argentina.<\/div>\nWhat’s next? Norway to South Africa, Europe to Japan, New Zealand and Australia? Hopefully all of them!<\/div>\n
Spanish is still a second language for many residents and it’s not uncommon to overhear a conversation in their native tongue, Quichua. For a light-travelling cyclist, the only thing harder than leaving Otavalo would be to leave without one of the beautiful, locally made alpaca wool products.<\/div>\n
\n<\/a>This is the truly exotic side of South America.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n4. \u00a0 Scenery<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/a>4. \u00a0 Scenery<\/strong><\/h2>\nFor me, it was impossible not to be amazed by the hillside, patchwork farms throughout the country.<\/div>\nThe colors and shapes they create add to what is already an amazing landscape. A bicycle traveler will also encounter\u00a0snow-capped\u00a0volcanoes, beautiful sweeping views over wide, green valleys, dense jungle and at times even desert!<\/div>\nThe unusual\u00a0Frailejones, found in El Angel Ecological Reserve, will definitely remind you that you’re in a very unique place.<\/div>\n\n<\/a>Stunning scenery makes all that pedaling worth the effort.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n3. \u00a0 Fruit<\/strong><\/h2>\nMuch of the fruit in Ecuador is unique to South America and nearly impossible to find elsewhere.<\/div>\nFrom the common pineapples, bananas, and passion fruit, to the less well known granadillas and naranjillas, to the virtually unheard of pitahayas and uvillas, you’re sure to be in for a treat if you enjoy trying exotic fruits.<\/div>\n<\/a><\/div>\n2. \u00a0 Adventure<\/strong><\/h2>\nWith the variety of the landscapes and roads to be found in Ecuador, having a boring day will be nearly impossible.<\/div>\nFrom the steep cobblestone climbs around the crater lake Quilotoa, to the rutted, unpaved downhill through the jungle after Sangay National Park, to the unimaginably steep climbs in southern Ecuador, you’ll wake up every morning wondering what new adventure the day will bring.<\/div>\n\n<\/a>Get your adventure fix in Ecuador.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n1. \u00a0 Galapagos Islands<\/strong><\/h2>\nWhile you can’t do a whole lot by bike on the Galapagos Islands, no “Ecuador Top 5” list would be complete without mentioning it.<\/div>\nA\u00a0truly\u00a0unique place, the Galapagos Islands have made a big impression on Charles Darwin as well as everyone who has visited since. The curious Blue Footed boobies, giant\u00a0tortoises, friendly sea lions and salt-spewing iguanas will be sure to leave an impact on you as well.<\/div>\n\n<\/a>Not to be missed.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>About the Author<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>\nPaul Gareau got his first taste of touring in 2002 with a short trip around the northeastern United States.<\/div>\nSince then he has completed nine other tours, and wrote this article towards the end of his two and a half year trip from Fairbanks, Alaska to Ushuaia, Argentina.<\/div>\nWhat’s next? Norway to South Africa, Europe to Japan, New Zealand and Australia? Hopefully all of them!<\/div>\n
The colors and shapes they create add to what is already an amazing landscape. A bicycle traveler will also encounter\u00a0snow-capped\u00a0volcanoes, beautiful sweeping views over wide, green valleys, dense jungle and at times even desert!<\/div>\n
The unusual\u00a0Frailejones, found in El Angel Ecological Reserve, will definitely remind you that you’re in a very unique place.<\/div>\n
\n<\/a>Stunning scenery makes all that pedaling worth the effort.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n3. \u00a0 Fruit<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/a>3. \u00a0 Fruit<\/strong><\/h2>\nMuch of the fruit in Ecuador is unique to South America and nearly impossible to find elsewhere.<\/div>\nFrom the common pineapples, bananas, and passion fruit, to the less well known granadillas and naranjillas, to the virtually unheard of pitahayas and uvillas, you’re sure to be in for a treat if you enjoy trying exotic fruits.<\/div>\n<\/a><\/div>\n2. \u00a0 Adventure<\/strong><\/h2>\nWith the variety of the landscapes and roads to be found in Ecuador, having a boring day will be nearly impossible.<\/div>\nFrom the steep cobblestone climbs around the crater lake Quilotoa, to the rutted, unpaved downhill through the jungle after Sangay National Park, to the unimaginably steep climbs in southern Ecuador, you’ll wake up every morning wondering what new adventure the day will bring.<\/div>\n\n<\/a>Get your adventure fix in Ecuador.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n1. \u00a0 Galapagos Islands<\/strong><\/h2>\nWhile you can’t do a whole lot by bike on the Galapagos Islands, no “Ecuador Top 5” list would be complete without mentioning it.<\/div>\nA\u00a0truly\u00a0unique place, the Galapagos Islands have made a big impression on Charles Darwin as well as everyone who has visited since. The curious Blue Footed boobies, giant\u00a0tortoises, friendly sea lions and salt-spewing iguanas will be sure to leave an impact on you as well.<\/div>\n\n<\/a>Not to be missed.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>About the Author<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>\nPaul Gareau got his first taste of touring in 2002 with a short trip around the northeastern United States.<\/div>\nSince then he has completed nine other tours, and wrote this article towards the end of his two and a half year trip from Fairbanks, Alaska to Ushuaia, Argentina.<\/div>\nWhat’s next? Norway to South Africa, Europe to Japan, New Zealand and Australia? Hopefully all of them!<\/div>\n
From the common pineapples, bananas, and passion fruit, to the less well known granadillas and naranjillas, to the virtually unheard of pitahayas and uvillas, you’re sure to be in for a treat if you enjoy trying exotic fruits.<\/div>\n<\/a><\/div>\n2. \u00a0 Adventure<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/div>\n2. \u00a0 Adventure<\/strong><\/h2>\nWith the variety of the landscapes and roads to be found in Ecuador, having a boring day will be nearly impossible.<\/div>\nFrom the steep cobblestone climbs around the crater lake Quilotoa, to the rutted, unpaved downhill through the jungle after Sangay National Park, to the unimaginably steep climbs in southern Ecuador, you’ll wake up every morning wondering what new adventure the day will bring.<\/div>\n\n<\/a>Get your adventure fix in Ecuador.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n1. \u00a0 Galapagos Islands<\/strong><\/h2>\nWhile you can’t do a whole lot by bike on the Galapagos Islands, no “Ecuador Top 5” list would be complete without mentioning it.<\/div>\nA\u00a0truly\u00a0unique place, the Galapagos Islands have made a big impression on Charles Darwin as well as everyone who has visited since. The curious Blue Footed boobies, giant\u00a0tortoises, friendly sea lions and salt-spewing iguanas will be sure to leave an impact on you as well.<\/div>\n\n<\/a>Not to be missed.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>About the Author<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>\nPaul Gareau got his first taste of touring in 2002 with a short trip around the northeastern United States.<\/div>\nSince then he has completed nine other tours, and wrote this article towards the end of his two and a half year trip from Fairbanks, Alaska to Ushuaia, Argentina.<\/div>\nWhat’s next? Norway to South Africa, Europe to Japan, New Zealand and Australia? Hopefully all of them!<\/div>\n
From the steep cobblestone climbs around the crater lake Quilotoa, to the rutted, unpaved downhill through the jungle after Sangay National Park, to the unimaginably steep climbs in southern Ecuador, you’ll wake up every morning wondering what new adventure the day will bring.<\/div>\n
\n<\/a>Get your adventure fix in Ecuador.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n1. \u00a0 Galapagos Islands<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/a>1. \u00a0 Galapagos Islands<\/strong><\/h2>\nWhile you can’t do a whole lot by bike on the Galapagos Islands, no “Ecuador Top 5” list would be complete without mentioning it.<\/div>\nA\u00a0truly\u00a0unique place, the Galapagos Islands have made a big impression on Charles Darwin as well as everyone who has visited since. The curious Blue Footed boobies, giant\u00a0tortoises, friendly sea lions and salt-spewing iguanas will be sure to leave an impact on you as well.<\/div>\n\n<\/a>Not to be missed.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>About the Author<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>\nPaul Gareau got his first taste of touring in 2002 with a short trip around the northeastern United States.<\/div>\nSince then he has completed nine other tours, and wrote this article towards the end of his two and a half year trip from Fairbanks, Alaska to Ushuaia, Argentina.<\/div>\nWhat’s next? Norway to South Africa, Europe to Japan, New Zealand and Australia? Hopefully all of them!<\/div>\n
A\u00a0truly\u00a0unique place, the Galapagos Islands have made a big impression on Charles Darwin as well as everyone who has visited since. The curious Blue Footed boobies, giant\u00a0tortoises, friendly sea lions and salt-spewing iguanas will be sure to leave an impact on you as well.<\/div>\n
\n<\/a>Not to be missed.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
<\/a><\/div>About the Author<\/div>
<\/div><\/div>
<\/p>\n
Paul Gareau got his first taste of touring in 2002 with a short trip around the northeastern United States.<\/div>\n
Since then he has completed nine other tours, and wrote this article towards the end of his two and a half year trip from Fairbanks, Alaska to Ushuaia, Argentina.<\/div>\n
What’s next? Norway to South Africa, Europe to Japan, New Zealand and Australia? Hopefully all of them!<\/div>\n