Blogs from Centre, Ecuador, South America - page 5

We thought we were experienced Latin American travelers via Chicken Buses, crazy cabs, 4-wheels through streets running into rivers- but today’s trip – trumped all others. Our travels from Quito to Chugchilián was one for the books. Highlights: Dozens of live chickens tied together by their feet slapped on top of each other, guinea pigs, too - and the harrowing bus ride clipping cliffs that we narrowly escaped. Here is how this all went down. The morning was normal and peaceful. Checked out of our boring, nice gringo hostal in Quito at the crack of dawn, equipped with bagels and coffee to go to embark on an easy 45-minute cab ride to the main bus terminal servicing cities in South Ecuador. From there we took a normal comfortable bus for an hour and a half to ... read more

Ich verlasse Quito, nicht ohne mich den Avancen von Erhard, einem etwa 70jährigen Österreicher, erwehren zu müssen: Er erzählt mir nicht nur von seinem Nasenbluten, sondern auch, dass er weder Englisch noch Spanisch spricht und auch keinen Reiseführer oder ähnliches besitzt. Ein echter Abenteurer. Bevor er mich in seinen Keller sperren kann, bin ich schon aus der Tür (und habe seltsamerweise 6 $ pro Nacht bezahlt – Frühstück inklu). Der vollgepackte Nissan ruckelt schon bald über das, was die Alaskaner neben mir wohl „Dirt Road“ nennen. Daher fahren überall auch nur noch Chevy Pick-Ups herum. Auf der Ladefläche: Bier. Nach 2 Stunden biegen wir auf die letzten drei Kilometer zur Hacienda ein, die vielleicht in 10. Generation die Mutation von einer Straße sind. Der Footprint-Guide spricht in einem Nebensatz von „rusty lodge“, die Räumlichkeiten gleichen eher ... read more

Ola, daar zijn we weer! Ons laatste verhaal is geeindigd bij de plaats waar ons avontuur is begonnen. Inmiddels zijn we beland in Banos en we hebben in de tussentijd het een en ander meegemaakt. Na 2 nachten in een prima hostel in een iets minder prima stad, Guayaquil, de grootste stad van Ecuador, (waar ze dan wel weer heerlijke Colombiaanse koffie hebben) hebben we de bus gepakt naar zee, naar Montanita. Een klein en erg sfeervol surfdorpje aan de Grote Oceaan. Als je geluk hebt zie je walvissen voor de kust (gezien!). Pelikanen vliegen af en aan en er zijn constant voldoende golven om te kunnen surfen. Mooi dan! De 1e nacht hadden we een best apart hostel. We hebben de hele nacht wakker gelegen omdat we naast het toilet sliepen. De wanden waren gemaakt ... read more

Day 10: Latacunga to Banos: After a hot shower (interrupted by a brief period of ice cold water), and an okay breakfast, we pacekd up everything and checked out of the hostal. When they heard we were taking a bus to Banos, they told us we shouldn't go to the Terminal Terrestre liked we'd planned, taking one bus to Ambato then another to Banos. Instead, we were told to take a taxi for one dollar to the Puente de San Felipe bus stop to get a direct bus to Banos. That definitely made things easier for us. The taxi driver was very friendly, so we gave him two dollars instead. Within minutes, we boarded the bus to Banos, paying two dollars each. The bus didn't stop all that many times, but we still had to listen ... read more

Day 9: Chugchilan to Saquisili/Latacunga: Well, we managed to wake up at 2:15am, gather our stuff and head to the bus "station" (actually, no station, just where the busses park overnight) for the supposedly 3am bus to Saquisili. Arriving at like 2:40, we waited and we waited, but nobody showed up until 3:15, and they were locals arriving for the 3:30am bus! Oh well, live and learn. Soon after 3:30, the driver showed up and we all got on board. The first part of the trip was very slow, since the roads were bad and it was still totally dark, not to mention the 15 or so times we stopped to pick someone up. Actually, I lost count of the stops about 30 minutes into the 3 hour trip. The road got a bit better and ... read more