Riobamba & Nariz Del Diablo (Devils Nose) train journey.Oct 8, 2004
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05:30... Every gringo in Ecuador appears for the Devils Nose train journey.
A chained-up monkey, just outside of Riobamba.
Packed to the brim with travellers from all over the world.
| It was an early start in Riobamba. Basically the town is just used as a stopping point by travellers wanting to catch the Nariz del Diablo, or Devil`s Nose train, as it´s better known. It`s a spectacular train journey from Riobamaba to Alausi, with the main feature being the fact that you get to ride on the roof of the train. We bought the tickets the previous afternoon but we`d been warned that it gets very busy so we should get there in plenty of time to get a good spot. By 5.30am we and the Belgish girls were sat on the top of the train upon our rented cushions.The train was made up of about 5 cargo carriages, with the travellers on top and their backpacks stored underneath. Fortunately we arrived just before the last seats on the right-hand side of the train had been taken as we`d been informed that this side had the better views. Unfortunately the train didn´t leave for another 90 minutes... Throughout Ecuador we`d met few travellers with the exception of Quito, but it appeared that every gringo in Ecuador was sat on that train. It must have been a very strange sight for the locals. Just walking down the street turns every local head, but passing through the streets of Riobamba was a train packed full of about 200 tourists on top!! The train set of at 7am, and it was bloody freezing... gloves, woolly hats, the whole lot came out!! The views from the top of the train were spectacular, passing through mountain valleys, little villages and at one point we even got sight of Volcan Chimborazo, Ecuadors tallest mountain at 6310m. Very impressive. There`s no chance of you falling off as you are literally packed on like sardines. One moves to take a photo, you all move!! The journey itself ended up being a long 7.5hrs. The last couple of hours were scorchio, the layers were peeled off and the sunscreen slapped on. Although the first 2 hours were fantastic, the effect soon wore off and by the time we arrived at the Devils Nose, a tad dissapointing to say the least, the novelty had worn off and we were dreaming of cushioned seats. In hindsight, apart from a bit of bum ache it was well worth the journey, and a nice change to travel by a different mode of transport. |
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