Two and a half days in the epicenter of adventure sports in Ecuador. Banos is the perfect tourist destination. Lots to do, good food/nightlife and easy to navigate. After arriving from the Amazon we check in to the hotel and go to lunch (soup/chicken/rice of course). A walking tour followed. "Asian" is for dinner. The restaurant was pitched as Indian/Asian - but proved to be neither. Why would I even try to get Pad Thai in Ecuador?
Yesterday was an all day tour of the local waterfalls, including the Pailon del Diablo (Devil's Cauldron). Snaking through the caves (it wasn't a long distance, but it was exhausting and a bit claustrophobic) to get behind the fall was worth the effort - and fear. The highlight of the day, by far, was the Swing at the End of the World. Both dizzying and a bit terrifying - it is an "attraction" I was very much looking forward to and it didn't disappoint.
Today adventure continued with my first white water rafting experience (ever) on Level III/IV Rapids. I almost cancelled this morning - but pushed through the fear and was ready to go in wetsuit, helmet, life jacket and water shoes by 10. I can't remember the last time I had such an adrenaline rush - and sore muscles. Tonight will end with a visit to the spa for a massage and possibly a dip in the thermal pools.
Tomorrow we hit the road for an eight hour bus journey to Cuenca.
Random Highlights
Free flaming shots at the Leprechaun Bar (a decidedly un-Irish club)
Feeling absolutely free and at peace at the treehouse/Swing at the End of the World
Battling my fears and crawling behind the Devil's Cauldron
Churrasco at La Posada del Arte (steak! eggs! iron!)
Staying relatively calm when tour members continually ask for my uneaten food at restaurants (where/how is this standard and acceptable practice?)
Befriending the hotel's resident cat
Being one of the few in my raft not to end up in the river
Getting one of the best deep tissue massages of my life (not hyperbole)
