Banos, Central Ecuador

There were three main reasons for coming to Ecuador. To visit the Galapagos Islands, do a trip into the Amazon and to visit the mountain villages in the central highlands. We can now tick off the mountain villages. We are about to leave Banos after 3 fantastic days.

 Banos is nestled under South America's most active volcano - Mt Tungurahua, at 5016m. It has been quite active this past month but quiet while we have been here! Banos, in the past, has been completely wiped out by its volcanic activity, annihilating the entire population. The township is settled on a flat plateau of the valley floor, hemmed by luxuriant green peaks, blessed with steaming thermal baths and surrounded by beautiful waterfalls. Most of the visitors come here to hike, soak, ride mountain bikes, zip around on quad bikes and two wheelers, go white water rafting - it's a bit like a mini Queenstown and fortunately we are here before the high season. We managed to hike a bit, ride mountain bikes for 60 kms down the descend (though there were plenty of 'ups!') to an outlying town of Puyo on the edge of the Amazon Basin (and bus back). Robin and A.J. hired 2 wheel motorbikes and scooted up both sides of the mountains from Banos for the views (and for the challenge). We shopped while they did that. Also a steam bath and massage. The food has been amazing. The accommodation so good. The people are ‘vertically challenged’ but SO friendly and helpful. I'll put in a few prices to show you the deal for Ecuador.

Accommodation for a double room (large) with bathroom - $17.00 U.S. And this hostel / hotel has a communal fridge of drinks including beer that you just help yourself to and write down your room number! Run by a delightful Ecuadorian family.

Mountain bike hire for the day - $10

Motorbike hire by the hour - $9

Breakfast - juice, fruit, grain, 3 breads plus butter and jam, coffee - $5

Dinner last night - free movie to watch, drinks, nibbles, more drinks, dinner for 5 - $56!!!

Steam Bath – 45 min - $3.50

Massage – 1 hour - $25.

Petrol – 40c per litre

500ml Pilsener Beer in café $1.70

We are heading back to Quito today and further north to a famous Saturday market town for a couple of nights. Then it's out to the Galapagos on a big cat for 8 days, (it was a wise decision to leave this booking until we got here as the deal is less than 50% of what we would have got had we booked in N.Z.)  straight into the Amazon for 5 days and then there will be very little time.

Photos could be more of a challenge until Sunday night when we are back in Quito. 'Little' wi-Fi' available in Otavalo, where we are.