Day 37 – Wednesday, March 4, 2026

Faith meant it well that I had spent the night at this Ocoña - as early in the morning, I was presented with one of the most impressive views on this trip. I was painfully aware that a mega incline (with quite heavy truck traffic) was awaiting me on this early start. It turned into a startling spectacle. A large river flows into the ocean next to Ocoña and the inhabitants made sure to utilize each square inch for agriculture. So here, in this otherwise barren area, it was wonderfully green, the contrast was striking. At the mouth of the river, birds had a feeding frenzy. So not only did I experience a thunderstorm in the Atacama Desert (back in San Pedro), I also witnessed the magic power of water. (I must say the photos do not really reflect the beauty of the Nature I had experienced.)

My favorite view on this trip, amazing to see the green valley meeting the ocean in the desert

The river bringing the source of life

The settlement of Ocoña I had spent the night at

That is the road that I had ridden on the previous evening into town

Lots and lots of loud seagulls

A real roller-coaster ride started (or should I say it comtinued). Another beauty was the coast reminiscent of Ireland.

Adventurous road next to the ocean

Like in Ireland

Cool...!

I reached a small village and had a quick bite to eat. Here, with the help of Google Translate, I chatted with the folks eating there, they were fishermen. They showed pictures of their catch - as far as I could tell, it were huge swordfish, larger than a hunan.

They felt compelled to stand up

Another green valley followed, with a steep road. From above, I zoomed in on the workers needing their field.

This was another valley, from where the road veered uphill

Agriculture workers

In the afternoon, I reached the town of Atico, where I had a pretty big lunch ar a friendly food vendor.

Friendly food vendor

The road leading out of town was pathetic: no shoulder, rough surface, many trucks. There were some wild rock formations on next to the road.

Astonishing rock formations...

This, too...

Still, I made 30 more kilometers and only stopped when I saw a shed on the beach. A perfect place to crash for the night - protected from the wind and the prying views - there I pitched my tent. To be sure, I asked a truck driver if he thought it would be OK to do that, he ensured me it was and nobody would turn up. Or would they?

Here in a shed on a wild beach I pitched my tent

This is how the sun had set

I rode 110 km with 1,450 never of elevation.