I set off from Vilcabamba at about 9.30 am hoping to get into Peru before the day was done. I didn’t even realise I could get into Peru on the Vilcabamba road until Jodie told me about it.

My guide book said there was an oil drum raft across the river into Peru. Unfortunately they built a new bridge which was only opened several months ago so a lot of the fun has been taken away.

I had to stop at the police checkpoint barrier near the border. The road continues straight south towards Peru. I noticed another turning to the right which also had a barrier across it. This is not a major route. The dirt road is only wide enough for one lorry or a two cars to pass each other slowly. In a moment of divine inspiration, which I regretted shortly afterwards, I asked which was the road to Peru.

The guard said to turn right.

I pointed to it and said ‘that one?’.

‘Si’ he replied.

It didn’t look right. I could see from my GPS that it was heading due west across a ridge which disappeared over the horizon. Did he look trustworthy? I decided to do as advised and imagined them having hysterics as I duly trotted off towards the coast rather than Peru, only to return a few hours later.

After several kilometres the track started to descend and bear left. I was heading in the right direction. Maybe I should have more faith.

A quarter of an hour later I could see the river and border flags. It was a shame there was no raft, only a huge bridge three times as wide as either of the roads leading to it.

This was the friendliest and fastest border crossing I’ve ever had. It took less than ten minutes for both sides. I was the first tourist through that day, some Ecuadorians had crossed earlier in a 1998 Land Rover. I almost felt obliged to hang around a little longer and queue for something but there wasn’t anyone to queue with.

Elated, I asked which road would take me to San Ignacio and set off, overjoyed to be in Peru.