It’s hard to leave, isn’t it? In the 7+ years that I’ve been here I’ve had to leave for overseas contracting jobs 5... maybe 6 times. It gets harder each time. I look forward to the day when I have my finances and career sorted out well enough that I don’t need to leave to work. Maybe if I get really lucky and work hard this whole TH-cam thing will turn into enough of a job to support my family. *Fingers crossed*
It was very hard to leave my future wife and the country. I really enjoyed the place and I would love to stay for sure. I never felt unsafe and everyone I met was nice to me.
I know, right? The beauty of the sights and sounds of rural Ecuador inspired me to start a second TH-cam channel yesterday just for peaceful videos of the environment. Just 2 videos so far on the Sound and Cloud Collector channel, but there’s several more videos in the works: th-cam.com/channels/0d225qA-uf8VLPUGP_I53w.html
Definitely time to get something with clearance lol. I've done a bunch of backroad stuff like that in a stock truck. You don't have to get all crazy building something either, unless you want to. Any 4x4 with 31" or 32" all terrain tires is all you'll need.
@@FallofftheMap The Niva would be cool. I've seen lots of guys use them, though not sure how they compare to Toyota for reliability lol. That being said I've had a couple Ford Rangers in the US and didn't have major issues with them that I didn't create. Its all about taking care of your stuff.
Yo man, I also like to go hiking around or camping, hit me up the next time I go to Ecuador, I live in Germany but I usually go to my parents house in Tumbaco for some months. I have a Chevrolet Vitara that works good for those roads, I love taking it to 4x4 roads.
Nice. Beautiful place to get stuck. About what altitude do you think you were at . . where you finally parked the car? I really enjoy this type of video - thanks!
If I remember right it was about 3500 meters elevation. I eventually made it to Laguna Mojanda on a different day and the road there topped out at 4000 meters before dropping down to the lake.
I have a question and if you can’t answer it it’s fine could someone retire there from the USA and live off of 1,020.00 a month ?? Cause that place looks beautiful
Yes, it’s possible. The cost of living in Ecuador is extremely dependent on what part of the country you settle in and how adaptable you are to doing things like the locals. I’ve lived off as little as $300 per month on the north coast. In Quito it typically costs me about $2000 per month to support a family of 4. A significant portion of that money is tuition for my kids school. I think most expats live off something between $800 and $1500 per month. If you move to a city like Quito or Cuenca you’ll survive but you’ll need to be thrifty. If you move to a small town you could live quite comfortably within your budget.
Xd, I made the same route couple years ago, in the way a got a broken mirror and I bend some parts of my car but I almost reach the Laguna, next time in Atahualpa you must choose the left road to Mojanda Grande and not to Mojanda Chiquito, its a better road....that was your mistake and stucked your car, best regards.
Yes, I was way out in the middle of nowhere. The first house I came to was about a half hour walk. No one answered there. I don’t know if they couldn’t hear me over their music or what. In the end it was maybe a 2 hour walk. I tried to get help from several people along the way. Ecuadorians are super nice and usually go out of their way to help, but fear of the virus and talking to a strange gringo has definitely put a damper on that. People kept directing me to hilltops where I could get a good cell signal to call for help rather than actually being willing to help. I did get cell service in a couple spots but not a strong enough signal to search online for a local towing service, and my wife chose those moments to not answer the phone. If it wasn’t such a beautiful place to be stranded I might have lost my shit.
Not sure, but unless you’re an Ecuadorian returning after a year abroad you’ll pay a massive import tax that makes it totally impractical to import a car.
jordan bailey then it might work. Still, it’s a lot of risk and hassle. Also, the importer can’t sell it for 5 years. And it’s not an Ecuadorian that lived here for over a year. It’s if they lived abroad for over a year. It’s a tax incentive to encourage them to move back to Ecuador. So if my wife went and lived in the US for a year she could import a car tax free when she moved back to Ecuador.
@@FallofftheMap what if you rented a flat bed and drove it your self? would they hold you up at the border entrance or is there possibly other routes/corridors offroad that go around gov. check points? that would be quite interesting haha
I reluctantly had to leave Ecuador Friday night so I could go back to work. Beautiful place with great people... can't wait to return.
It’s hard to leave, isn’t it? In the 7+ years that I’ve been here I’ve had to leave for overseas contracting jobs 5... maybe 6 times. It gets harder each time. I look forward to the day when I have my finances and career sorted out well enough that I don’t need to leave to work. Maybe if I get really lucky and work hard this whole TH-cam thing will turn into enough of a job to support my family. *Fingers crossed*
It was very hard to leave my future wife and the country. I really enjoyed the place and I would love to stay for sure. I never felt unsafe and everyone I met was nice to me.
I enjoy watching your videos and hope it makes you enough money to be able to stay without having to leave for work. Keep it up, you'll get there.
Holy crap those green hills are gorgeous.
I know, right? The beauty of the sights and sounds of rural Ecuador inspired me to start a second TH-cam channel yesterday just for peaceful videos of the environment. Just 2 videos so far on the Sound and Cloud Collector channel, but there’s several more videos in the works: th-cam.com/channels/0d225qA-uf8VLPUGP_I53w.html
I really like the music in this one. Feels like old nintendo music.
Thanks. It was something off the free TH-cam music library that I altered a bit and sped up.
Very very good!!
Wow that place was beautiful
It's great seeing you on your exploration adventures again. Be nice to see the footage when you do make it to the lake. Another time, perhaps.
Beautiful landscape appreciate it.
Definitely time to get something with clearance lol. I've done a bunch of backroad stuff like that in a stock truck. You don't have to get all crazy building something either, unless you want to. Any 4x4 with 31" or 32" all terrain tires is all you'll need.
Yeah, I’m currently torn between a beat up old hilux, a land cruiser, and a Lada Niva.
@@FallofftheMap The Niva would be cool. I've seen lots of guys use them, though not sure how they compare to Toyota for reliability lol. That being said I've had a couple Ford Rangers in the US and didn't have major issues with them that I didn't create. Its all about taking care of your stuff.
Yo man, I also like to go hiking around or camping, hit me up the next time I go to Ecuador, I live in Germany but I usually go to my parents house in Tumbaco for some months. I have a Chevrolet Vitara that works good for those roads, I love taking it to 4x4 roads.
Awesome. I just moved away from Tumbaco but I’m still only about an hour away. I’ve got a 4x4 hilux now, but it needs a bit of work to be road worthy.
You gave it a good try. Nice scenery.
Thanks. It’s all about the journey.
I think the guy with the horse had the right idea.
Definitely.
They live! Love the scenery brother and your 2nd amendment can I?
That’s really a rough roads, a horse would definitely be the way to go.
Yeah, but horses don’t come with AC and a cell phone charger.
Nice. Beautiful place to get stuck.
About what altitude do you think you were at . . where you finally parked the car?
I really enjoy this type of video - thanks!
If I remember right it was about 3500 meters elevation. I eventually made it to Laguna Mojanda on a different day and the road there topped out at 4000 meters before dropping down to the lake.
I have a question and if you can’t answer it it’s fine could someone retire there from the USA and live off of 1,020.00 a month ?? Cause that place looks beautiful
Yes, it’s possible. The cost of living in Ecuador is extremely dependent on what part of the country you settle in and how adaptable you are to doing things like the locals. I’ve lived off as little as $300 per month on the north coast. In Quito it typically costs me about $2000 per month to support a family of 4. A significant portion of that money is tuition for my kids school. I think most expats live off something between $800 and $1500 per month. If you move to a city like Quito or Cuenca you’ll survive but you’ll need to be thrifty. If you move to a small town you could live quite comfortably within your budget.
Fall off the Map thank you for your time and advice
The famous valley.... that most people don't know about. HAHAHAHAHA!
Poorly worded way to say most people don’t know about the backroads that lead there. Yeah...
Hopefully you're still getting 'stand by'
No, that $ just cut off at the end of September.
Xd, I made the same route couple years ago, in the way a got a broken mirror and I bend some parts of my car but I almost reach the Laguna, next time in Atahualpa you must choose the left road to Mojanda Grande and not to Mojanda Chiquito, its a better road....that was your mistake and stucked your car, best regards.
Yeah, since then I’ve been to the Laguna by the main route from Tabacundo. Thanks for the advice.
Ouch! How long would you say you had to walk before you found someone? I got the impression you were pretty far out at that point.
Yes, I was way out in the middle of nowhere. The first house I came to was about a half hour walk. No one answered there. I don’t know if they couldn’t hear me over their music or what. In the end it was maybe a 2 hour walk. I tried to get help from several people along the way. Ecuadorians are super nice and usually go out of their way to help, but fear of the virus and talking to a strange gringo has definitely put a damper on that. People kept directing me to hilltops where I could get a good cell signal to call for help rather than actually being willing to help. I did get cell service in a couple spots but not a strong enough signal to search online for a local towing service, and my wife chose those moments to not answer the phone. If it wasn’t such a beautiful place to be stranded I might have lost my shit.
Hey am I able to do overseas contracting being a reserve soldier?
Safkath Faruk good question. I would assume, yes, but I’m not 100% sure.
how much would it cost to have a car shipped from Mexico to Ecuador?
Not sure, but unless you’re an Ecuadorian returning after a year abroad you’ll pay a massive import tax that makes it totally impractical to import a car.
@@FallofftheMap what if you shipped it in your wifes name or possibly one of her family members that have lived there longer than a year?
jordan bailey then it might work. Still, it’s a lot of risk and hassle. Also, the importer can’t sell it for 5 years. And it’s not an Ecuadorian that lived here for over a year. It’s if they lived abroad for over a year. It’s a tax incentive to encourage them to move back to Ecuador. So if my wife went and lived in the US for a year she could import a car tax free when she moved back to Ecuador.
@@FallofftheMap thats perfect. do you think you guys will do that?
@@FallofftheMap what if you rented a flat bed and drove it your self? would they hold you up at the border entrance or is there possibly other routes/corridors offroad that go around gov. check points? that would be quite interesting haha