South America has been fascinating and Ecuador and Columbia are no exception. The beautiful landscape and the people in their communities were cause for me to stop and take pictures. It’s not every day that I get to ride at over 4,000 meters (13,123 feet) above sea level. This is what Ecuador offers; excitement but difficulties because of the high altitude. It is always a great moment crossing the Equator and I enjoyed that moment in Ecuador just before entering Columbia.

There was something about Columbia that made me feel more at ease and comfortable. The people were friendly and helpful, especially the young men Cristian and Sebastian at GHI Hotels in Medelin, who made the task of air freighting my motorcycle to Panama easy. Exiting Colombia I saw the most intensive police investigation of any of the countries I have been through yet.

Juan Felipe Tettay from Cartagena, whom I only communicated with through the internet, was a great resource and assisted me through South America. I’ll say good bye to the continent for the time being – it has been a wonderful time here.