Rafting in Banos

   What a blast we had rafting in Banos. We were lucky that it was just us and 2 other guys fromArgentina Fernando and Germain. They were two nice guys and had never been rafting before but they were totally up for it. We had hoped to do the more difficult route but rain over night put that off the agenda. However our guide was a cool dude and took us down the more challenging parts of the river. It was fab with a couple of spills and a deliberate turn over of the raft and paddling upside down. We hope to do more of it in Columbia.

We enjoyed some chill time in Banos and soaked ourselves in the hot baths and then it was on the move again to Riobamba with a detour to Gauranda to get a glimpse of  Chimborazo one of Equadors highest volcanoe´s. Unfortunately it was under cloud but it was interesting to see the change from lush farmland to arid dessert so high up in the hills. We also hit a hail storm and plenty of rain which thankfully eased off when we got to Gauranda. This town is well know for Carnival which was starting this week so we got there a bit early for that.

Our next journey was to Riobamba to do The Devils Nose Train Ride but when we got there the train track was up and the train now starts from Alausi another bus trip away. Riobamba has been the most affuent town we have been to yet. It´s main street was a bit like Rodeo Drive in LA not what you would expect in Equador. Plenty of flash jeeps and cars driven around. Anyway it was a short stay there and onto Alausi which so far was a bit rip off ville. Because of the train being a fairly big tourist attraction the town has monopolized this a bit. Accomadation and food have been the most expensive here but the train trip was worth the journey.

It´s taking too long to download pics and I have to catch a bus so will fill you all in on my next post.

Tavelling happily

Andean Heights of Equador

This has been one of the highlights of the trip so far. We took a little detour off the Pan American highway and got a bus fron Latacunga to a liitle village higher again in the mountains to Zumbahua. It was a short taxi ride of 12km to Quilatoa. A Dormant volcano with the biggest lake in Equador at it´s centre. It took our breath away. We walked the rim and at 4000 mtrs it was tough enough on the ole lungs but the veiws were fab not only of the lake but also of the surrounding counrtyside. It was a patchwork of fields and Equador gives Ireland a run for it´s money with more than 40 shades of green. The hike took us three and a half hours and thankfully the cloud stayed away. On our way up on the bus we had travelled through thick cloud and were doubting our chances of veiws.

We then hitched a lift back to Zumbahua and got lucky with a family from Quito. He drove like a bat out of hell and with child in the back.  Car Safety is not a big issue over here. I have seen children sitting in the front no seat belts or on their mothers lap and dad is not driving slow. I don´t know what the stats are like for road accidents and I am not going to look them up but it is safer than India!!

 

Anyway we lucked out on our return to the village it seemed to be party Sunday in the main square which I think also doubles as the local sports pitch and market. There was a local band in the stands and then they had also hired in a swish looking band from the city. The music was jazz with plenty of brass on show which was quite surprising. It was a very jolly event with men and women dancing and drinking beer. Surrounding the square were women selling the beer and everyone was getting quite merry. The women are beautiful with their long dark hair hidden under felt hats, colourful shawls and velvet skirts.                           It was unusual to see the women holding onto bear bottles and pouring it into cups and drinking and spitting out the froth. We watched for  a while and then got our bus back to Latacunga.

We are now in Banos enjoying a little repreive from the alltitude and some water fun for a change. Will fill you in on another post.

Bus Journey’s In Columbia

Well we have been in Columbia almost a week and our main way of getting from place to place is on buses. We were a bit spoilt on our first bus trip from Bogota to Nieva. A super delux coach with air con blankets and pillows. They even videoed us before we set off not sure if that was in case we were kidnapped and could be identified???? We were entrtained with videos and even given food and drink ( a bottle of pop and savoury and sweet snacks). So we arrived in Nieva refreshed and well impressed with public transport. The next day we headed for San Agustin deeper south and in search of stone carvings. This bus was not quite as plush but got us to Pitialto where we got a connection into a Hi Lux with a driver who had the ultimate sexy fashion jacket and spent more time looking in the mirror at himself than the traffic.

We spent a couple of days in San Agustin and then headed further South to Pasto. The journey started with a layed back taxi to Pitialto and then a bit of a wait and another Hi Lux to Macoa and that was the beginning of a whole new experience. Firstly we were in the back of the truck and our driver fancied himself as Speedy Gonzalez. Yes it was a fast journey but my head and guts were not the better for it. It was a twisty road and plenty of potholes that were swerved around. I was not looking forward to the next leg of the journey.

After an hour I was feeling normal again and Paul got us onto a Mini bus instead of a Hilux. It would take a bit longer but for me I thought it would be a little calmer. It was calmer BUT we hit dirt track after 10km and it was twisty climbing and most of the time only room for one vehicle and if you did pass one it was a shear drop off the side. I am not normally a nervous passenger but I did think I might not see the end of this trip. What brought it more to the fore was that we then came apon a salvage crane blocking the road which was pulling up the remains of a bus that had gone over the edge. This delayed us for 2 hours and then the fun of trucks and buses wanting to pass. Our driver became posessed and took off like there was no tomorrow. It was as though he had to make up the lost time on this seriously twisty road and the light was fading. We did hit the tarmac again but not until we had endured 2 hours of nail biting road.Thankfully we got to Pasto by 10.30pm and a hotel was not too far away.

My final note is that why didn,t the guide book warn you about the road. It did say the journey was long but not why. I suppose if it did we might not have taken it!!!

South America Here I Come

Happy New Year to you all and hope you all had a good one and are all set for 2012. Yes I;m ready and the adventures are starting already. Myself and Paul are off today to Columbia and Ecuador for 6 weeks. Yahoo!!! I know how lucky are we it’s one of the major perks of being self employed and thankfully sales were good on the run up to Christmas to help fund it all.

So we fly out today and have a night over in Madrid to catch up with some friends of Paul’s and then on to Bogota. Not sure where we head after that or how we are not taking bikes this time but will probably pick them up somewhere along the way and lots of treking to be done.

Don’t worry will bore you all as the trip goes on and post up a few pics. Happy Days.