After Esmeraldas we were ready to leave Ecuador and headed to the border, but still had a few things to see on the way.
We spent a night in the town of Ibarra, which is nothing special, but it is a big commercial hub of the region, so looks quite rich. There are nice cafes around and the town is generally nice. We arrived after dark and only had a little time to explore surroundings while looking for a meal.
Next day early in the morning we left for Tulcan on the border. I had particular interest in this place. There was a cemetery. Not just a cemetery, but the Cemetry 'so beautiful that you would like to die and be buried there' (from information brochure).
The most joyful cemetery
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Day of the dead is approaching. This is traditional food
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From the town there is no direct buses to Colombia, so we had
1. To take minibus to the border
2. To stamp our passports in Ecuador
3. To cross the bridge ON FOOT to the Colombian side
4. To Stamp passport in Colombia
5. To take another minibus to Ipiales on Colombia
It was the first time I had to cross border independently. Bolivia-Peru does not count, where, although I had to cross the bridge between countries on foot, the same bus was waiting on the other side.
In Ipiales I only saw bus station: we took collectivo directly to Las Lajas santuario: a church built on the rock, where image of the Virgin appeared. We spent a night there in the hotel that belongs to the convent: huge place with two courtyards and rooms with the view to the church and friendly nuns (or were they?)
Next day we did not see much of Ipiales either: from Las Lajas we moved to Pasto in, where we did not do much (as there was nothing to do), but we in constant search for food. Finally, and it was our last move, on Sunday we arrived to Popayan.
Santuario en Las Lajas
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Haloween
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We spent a night in the town of Ibarra, which is nothing special, but it is a big commercial hub of the region, so looks quite rich. There are nice cafes around and the town is generally nice. We arrived after dark and only had a little time to explore surroundings while looking for a meal.
Next day early in the morning we left for Tulcan on the border. I had particular interest in this place. There was a cemetery. Not just a cemetery, but the Cemetry 'so beautiful that you would like to die and be buried there' (from information brochure).
The most joyful cemetery
Day of the dead is approaching. This is traditional food
From the town there is no direct buses to Colombia, so we had
1. To take minibus to the border
2. To stamp our passports in Ecuador
3. To cross the bridge ON FOOT to the Colombian side
4. To Stamp passport in Colombia
5. To take another minibus to Ipiales on Colombia
It was the first time I had to cross border independently. Bolivia-Peru does not count, where, although I had to cross the bridge between countries on foot, the same bus was waiting on the other side.
In Ipiales I only saw bus station: we took collectivo directly to Las Lajas santuario: a church built on the rock, where image of the Virgin appeared. We spent a night there in the hotel that belongs to the convent: huge place with two courtyards and rooms with the view to the church and friendly nuns (or were they?)
Next day we did not see much of Ipiales either: from Las Lajas we moved to Pasto in, where we did not do much (as there was nothing to do), but we in constant search for food. Finally, and it was our last move, on Sunday we arrived to Popayan.
Santuario en Las Lajas
Haloween
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