Your destiny, is a result of your actions.
Live by a code of conduct that will secure supreme hapiness
and worldy joys; which are usually the little things.
There were two things that I really wanted to do on our road trip throughout Ecuador; the market in Otavalo and to ride the Nariz del Diablo section of the Ecuador train line. I must say Clint was much more excited about the train ride than the market.
The construction of Ecuador's railway began in 1899 by Ecuador's then president, Eloy Alfaro. President Alfaro was determined to modernize his country, and to connect the two important cities of Guayaquil on the coast and Quito in the highlands. At the time, it was renowned as the most difficult railway construction in the world due to the almost vertical wall of rock known as the Nariz del Diablo or Devil's Nose. To overcome this obstacle the tracks were laid in a switchback or zig-zag allowing the train to traverse a 2600 foot incline on the side of the huge rock. By travelling in a forward and backward motion the train is able to climb up or down the rugged terrain. With the help of American contractors Alfaro's dream was completed in 1908 with 280 miles of track laid.
In 1997 service along the railway was discontinued due to damage to the tracks from landslides and flooding brought on by El Niño. In 2008 an effort was made to begin restoration on the railway and by 2013 the entire line from Guayaquil to Quito was fully operational allowing tourists to take in the unspoiled beauty of Ecuador.
We boarded the train in the small town of Alausí.
It is only a seven mile stretch descending down through the Chanchan Valley to Sibambe, an even smaller town at the base of the Devil's Nose.
In this picture you can see the parallel tracks down the side of the rock that form the switchback.
This is the Devil's Nose. It was given its name because it looks like the profile of the devil looking up into the sky.
The station in Sibambe, at the base of the Devil's Nose.
Even though it was a bit touristy (mostly Ecuadorian tourist)s, and pricey ($25 a person) by Ecuadorian standers we are really glad we did it. On the ride home we were serenaded by a young Ecuadorian boy who played his guitar and sang local favorites that we had never heard of but thoroughly enjoyed.
We've been working towards this for almost 10 years. It has been a dream with many challenges, all of which have made it more worth while. We are so grateful and excited to start this next chapter!
Extra:
Twenty years fom now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the things that you did do. So sail away from the safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails,
EXPLORE, DREAM, DISCOVER.
-Mark Twain
Getting ready for the big day! We moved Karma from her home of two years (WPB mooring) to Sunset Bay Marina in Stuart. Packed up the rest of our "crap", the stuff not coming with us & took it to Texas. After a nice visit with Reina's parents it was back to Stuart to get down & dirty & get Karma ready...
Your destiny, is a result of your actions.
Live by a code of conduct that will secure supreme hapiness
and worldy joys; which are usually the little things.