Drinking From The Ganges

Quilotoa Loop - Ecuador (Central Highlands)

The Quilotoa Loop, takes you through various highland villages, such as, Tigua, Zumbahua, Quilotoa, Chugchilan, Isinlivi and many more .  The gateway city to visit each of these villages is via Latacunga.  Latacunga is about three hours, by bus from Banos, our departure city.  However, there is no direct bus that goes to Latacunga from Banos, as a result, you have to take a bus from Banos-Ambato-Latacunga.  Once you reach Latacunga you can take a bus as far as the second village in the loop, Zumbahua, but no further.  After you reach Zumbahua, you have to hitchhike, hire a truck or hike from Zumbahua to reach the other villages….it can take at least five hours to hike to the fourth village and additional time to reach the remaining villages.  The majority of the people who reside in the villages our indigenous and their native language is Quichua (Native American Language of South America, second most widely spoken language in South America…after Spanish.  So, not only is the destination worth the journey, given the sheer beauty of the surroundings, but the people who reside in the villages are also part of the experience. [read on]

Banos, Ecuador

The town of Banos (population about 13,000, more or less), lays on the base of an active volcano, Volcano Tungurahu.  Banos has much to offer the traveller; thermal baths, full body herbal massages, hikes to the surrounding waterfalls, mountain bikes through the jungle, treks around the volcano, rafting or just sitting back in a hammock and reading a book (and much more not mentioned here)!

The thermal baths are one of the major attractions in Banos (hence the name of the town).  There are three baths located in the town and hot springs just outside of town.  The baths that were in close proximity of our hostel has a waterfall just above it….it really makes for a beautiful backdrop……you,122F water and a waterfall…..oh, who wouldn´t enjoy that?  Well, if you are not keen on 122F water they have a two other pools that are much cooler….so the choice is yours. 

Mia and I visited the La Piscina de La Virgen bath,¨ the entry charge was $1.60 (Ecuador uses the dollar, which makes for easy conversion).  As described above there are three baths with different temperature.  By nine in the morning the bath gets very full, so it is best to visit right when it opens, which is at 4:30am or much, much later at night. 

The weather in Banos was pretty chilly and rainy, as a result, much of the outdoor activities were not ideal.  However, I highly suggest making a visit to Banos if you are in the neighborhood, as it is a very charming town, with much to do, with or without favorable weather. 

 Mia and I only spent a couple of days in Banos and then started our journey  to  Latacunga, Ecuador.

Lima, Peru I was very, very excited about reaching Lima.....because, I was told from a fellow traveler that there are Starbucks in Lima  Yes, yes, I know how sad and pathetic, ¨Hi, My name is Rachelle and I am a coffee-holic"...Please have pity ... [Continue reading this entry]

Nazca, Peru- "The Nazca Lines" It was sad to say goodbye to the charming city of Cusco.....but as the saying goes "all good things must come to an end" and the end had indeed arrived! Mia and I picked our final two ... [Continue reading this entry]

  Cusco/Machu Picchu- Cusco is seven hours by bus from Puno (where Mia and I were prior to arrival in Cusco).  Cusco is the city generally used as a base to reach Machu Picchu  Many of the tour company´s, guides and transportation are arranged in ... [Continue reading this entry]

Puno, Peru ¨- is seven hours by bus from Arequipa.  Puno lays on Lake Titicaca and is the gateway to the Floating Islands of Uros {man made by the Uros people} and the two Islands of Taquile and Amantani {there are additional islands on Lake Titicaca and ... [Continue reading this entry]

Click Link- http://s271.photobucket.com/albums/jj159/Rbalthazar/?action=view¤t=ac5c7903.pbr

I have finally made my way to Peru..after a 33 hour excruciating bus ride and a brief stop over in Arica, Chile (Arica is on the border of Chile and Peru).  Once I reached Arica, I took a "collectivo" to cross ... [Continue reading this entry]

Santiago, Chile -the never ending post.... As mentioned in my previous Santiago, Chile post....I made it to Chile and found my hostel. I have much to say on Santiago, but I am really behind in my post. As a result, ... [Continue reading this entry]