Top 10 Countries - Favourites from our Canada to Argentina Trip

Hi, I’m Skunk. Welcome to my very first post! I’m super excited about this! I’ve been moto-coddiwompling with Aidan and Maria for a good few years now, and I’ve seen and learned a thing or two, which I’m going to share with you here. We’ve just come back from our motorcycle adventure from Canada to Argentina, and one of the first questions people often ask is: Which is our favourite country? I don’t have a single favourite, but here are the top 10:

1. Mexico

The best bit was the wilderness of Baja, the off-road riding and the deserted beaches, making bonfires and cooking quesadillas on hot stones. And conquering the challenge of crossing through Copper Canyon.

Now, I’m not a foodie (I basically only require liquid sustenance), but my travel companions didn’t seem to be able to get enough of the tacos, freshly made in front of us as we sat at the bar around the kitchen. Personally, I loved riding through the Oaxaca region past giant agave plants and tasting all the interesting varieties of Mezcal, as well as discovering the indigenous Pox in the cool, misty mountains!

2. Costa Rica

Camping on the beaches of Guanacaste in the shade of palm trees, watching dreamy pink, orange and gold sunsets while sipping on a cold beer was heaven. And the wildlife here seems not shy at all. A sloth hung out in the tree above our hammock for a day, coatis and magpies loved stealing our fruit and we spotted toucans and red macaws in the trees. And of course the howler monkeys would loudly announce their two cents every morning.

3. El Salvador

There was such an energy of new beginnings, after the relatively recent government efforts to arrest all criminals, making the country "the safest in Central America” as some put it. The people welcomed us with smiles, helped us out in all the trouble we got into, and gave us gifts just because we were there. We were given more mangos than we could eat.

4. Nicaragua

This place is nostalgic for me. We found a tiny little dive bar, Bar El Maradorcito, which Maria and I had been to with some friends years ago, and finally introduced Aidan to it. Hidden in a small lakeside settlement, it has a wide, paneless window with views over Laguna de Apoyo.

We also climbed Volcan Mombacho and looked right down into the lava.

And of course, there was more magical beach camping, cooking fresh fish from local fishermen over the bonfire.

5. Colombia

Bogota is one of my favourite cities in the world, with a bunch of fun rock bars and great camaraderie among bikers in the moto mechanics district.

Aidan and Maria tell me the street food is excellent, too. Especially the Lechon - a whole pig-skin stuffed with slow-roasted pork, spiced rice, peas and potatoes. It’s served with a piece of the perfectly crisp crackling and sounds more-ish. But the pig’s head staring at you from the heated vitrine is a tad disconcerting.

Colombia’s people are super nice, open minded and curious and the landscapes are varied with jungly Caribbean beaches, cool mountain passes and the city of eternal spring: Medellin. There’s even the dry, rocky Tatacoa Desert with a rutted sandy road leading to a desolate bar that rarely sees visitors. Of course it rained, when we were there. In the DESERT!!!

6. Venezuela

The country is in deep trouble and traveling here was tough. But it has the nicest, most welcoming people we ever met. You couldn’t get anywhere fast. Not because of the chronic unavailability of gasoline, but because everyone stops you for a chat, a coffee, an invitation for lunch. And then they take time out of their day to ride with you and show you the way, even if you already know where you’re going.

7. Ecuador

This country has everything crammed into a tiny space: jungles, volcanoes, high mountains and sandy beaches. But my favourite was staying in the hippie town of Montanita on the beach for a few weeks, slurping cocktails, looking at the murals that are like an open air art gallery, and competing with the hostel’s cat for cuddles. The family making fresh ceviche got to know us pretty well. We didn’t even have to ask for a beer anymore. The boy would quickly pop to the shop around the corner to fetch some, as soon as we pulled up a chair.

8. Peru

The high Andes made for some of the toughest, but also most rewarding riding. Alpacas on treeless high altitude plains, tight gravel switchbacks into, deep canyons, camping next to roaring rivers, buying gas sold in old laundry liquid bottles at someone’s home cum corner shop in a tiny mountain town…

Smiling, round-faced ladies in bowler hats, long black braids and bouncing layers of colourful skirts. Ancient traditions are alive and thriving in the untouched mountains of the north and to witness them was a privilege and almost felt like an intrusion.

9. Bolivia

Daring to ride our own vehicles onto the corrosive Salar de Uyuni was a unique experience, losing all sense of space and time with nothing to orientate ourselves by except the blue sky above and the white salt below. Camping on the salt and watching the sun first set, then rise again over the big empty white expanse was magical.

As was the wilderness and freedom of crossing the otherworldly lagunas route, watching vicunas graze in front of snow-capped volcanoes, and flamingos wade through multi-coloured lakes.

10. Argentina

Yup, you’ve guessed it. I loved the wine, of course, especially the high-altitude wines of Cafayate.

Again, I’m not a foodie, but the Argentinian propensity to barbeque comes with a wonderful social aspect (and lots of wine). I hear the steaks are extra good: flavourful, textured, but not chewy, lightly charred on the outside and pink in the middle. No wonder the meat is so tasty and tender - the cows roam freely in the vast Argentine grasslands with not a worry in the world.

So there you have it, my favourite top 10 countries from our last motorcycle adventure and a quick reason they made the cut. If you hang around, I’ll probably tell you the stories in more detail…