October 6-9th. Banos
Banos is possibly one of the most visited places in Ecuador. It is situated between the mountains and the junges on the slope of active volcano.
Banos is Ecuadorian base of active sports: rafting, rock climbing, MTB... The place is surrounded by waterfalls and one of the most popular excursions is La ruta de las cascadas, that is done by bike by foreigners and by bus by Ecuadorians.
After arriving to Banos on the 6th, we have checked its poor centrally located expensive market and sweet shops. Sweets hard candies) are made infront of your eyes from cane sugar and spices.
We have rented bikes and were off to La Ruta de las Cascadas, about 20 km down to the jungles over motorway with bicycle routes. We were 3 (Liza, myself and our Australian roomie), but later were joined by English girl frooooom.... Cheltenham! Bishops cleeve.
At the end of the trip there is a waterfall called Paimon del Diablo. It is bigger cascade, where one could walk really close, walk under the waterfall in fact. It reminded me Iguazu: big amount of water falling from 30m+ height with loud noise. Great feeling staying there behind this power.
Banos is also famous for its Thermal baths (hence the name), the one we visited was overcrowded at night, even under the rain, it was hard sitting in the pool not to touch someone's well something. Thermal baths: connecting people.
Next day we hiked up the volcan, although it was cloudy in the morning, we were lucky to be able to see it in the afternoon. First time in 3 days we've been there! As it happened, it also errupted, so we were twice lucky.
La ruta de las cascadas
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Under the waterfall
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Banos in Banos
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Volcan eruption
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Banos from the height
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October 10-11th. Latacunga
It was time when we went in different directions with Liza: she was going to jungle survival tour to eat ants and worms and sleep in the jungles, I opted for mountains and volcano climbing. I just cannot stand humid heat of the jungles. So I went to Latacunga under the most famous volcano of Ecuador, Cotopaxi.
Latacunga is no different from Riobamba: same narrow streets, plazas, nothing interesting to see in the city.
Well there was a parade, not sure what exactly was the reason, but on Thursday while walking to the market I walked into this instead:
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The city also is electing its 'Reina' soon, so there were different moving platforms with girls in evening dresses throwing sweets and flowers into the crowd. I also got my peace of Chupa Chups.
Banos is possibly one of the most visited places in Ecuador. It is situated between the mountains and the junges on the slope of active volcano.
Banos is Ecuadorian base of active sports: rafting, rock climbing, MTB... The place is surrounded by waterfalls and one of the most popular excursions is La ruta de las cascadas, that is done by bike by foreigners and by bus by Ecuadorians.
After arriving to Banos on the 6th, we have checked its poor centrally located expensive market and sweet shops. Sweets hard candies) are made infront of your eyes from cane sugar and spices.
We have rented bikes and were off to La Ruta de las Cascadas, about 20 km down to the jungles over motorway with bicycle routes. We were 3 (Liza, myself and our Australian roomie), but later were joined by English girl frooooom.... Cheltenham! Bishops cleeve.
At the end of the trip there is a waterfall called Paimon del Diablo. It is bigger cascade, where one could walk really close, walk under the waterfall in fact. It reminded me Iguazu: big amount of water falling from 30m+ height with loud noise. Great feeling staying there behind this power.
Banos is also famous for its Thermal baths (hence the name), the one we visited was overcrowded at night, even under the rain, it was hard sitting in the pool not to touch someone's well something. Thermal baths: connecting people.
Next day we hiked up the volcan, although it was cloudy in the morning, we were lucky to be able to see it in the afternoon. First time in 3 days we've been there! As it happened, it also errupted, so we were twice lucky.
La ruta de las cascadas
Under the waterfall
Banos in Banos
Volcan eruption
Banos from the height
October 10-11th. Latacunga
It was time when we went in different directions with Liza: she was going to jungle survival tour to eat ants and worms and sleep in the jungles, I opted for mountains and volcano climbing. I just cannot stand humid heat of the jungles. So I went to Latacunga under the most famous volcano of Ecuador, Cotopaxi.
Latacunga is no different from Riobamba: same narrow streets, plazas, nothing interesting to see in the city.
Well there was a parade, not sure what exactly was the reason, but on Thursday while walking to the market I walked into this instead:
The city also is electing its 'Reina' soon, so there were different moving platforms with girls in evening dresses throwing sweets and flowers into the crowd. I also got my peace of Chupa Chups.
Oh, you should definetely try worms and ants ;-) Although probably it is not (yet) mandatory to eat such ugly things ....
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