The Moped Diaries

We have survived two nights under canvas so far and the one word which keeps screaming in my head is WHY??? Why would anyone want to sleep in what resembles a large, complicated plastic bag? We arrived at the first camp site late, in the dark and in the rain and the temperature made Bermuda seem like a cold spell (we’re at the coast in Peru). However, after a brief training session we are now experts in tent construction and we are currently camped on a beach with dolphins swimming past.

The group we are traveling with are all gringo, hippy dropouts so we fit right in. There’s even someone here who used to work in Bermuda! – you just can’t escape the place!!

This internet cafe we are in is interesting – the walls are made of bamboo, the roof is corrugated tin and the keyboard is full of sand (the keys grind and stick!). We’re off to the jungle in a few days and have already been warned about THAT fish that swims in the Amazon (there’ll be no peeing in the river).

We´ve now arrived at the town of Banos which is located somewhat foolishly on the slopes of a very active volcano. On the drive here I couldn´t help noticing the large plume of disturbing smoke emenating from the summit. On arrival at the hotel we were given a leaflet with useful instructions including “The emergency siren may activate…” and “If ash is falling…”. We found the upside, however, after discovering a spa after a long hike in the mountains. We had thermal waters and a hot mud bath which has left deposits in places I never knew I had. I think we now have the smoothest body parts in Ecuador.

Unfortunately the luxury ends tomorrow as we have five night´s camping ahead of us. Let´s hope the thermarest mats haven´t sprung a leak.

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We had our first hiking expedition this weekend with a 2 day trip into the Andes. The guide was bi-lingual, unfortunately, neither of his two languages appeared to be English so it was more extreme Spanish. Day One ... [Continue reading this entry]