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Published: April 9th 2011
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I stopped briefly in Banos and Cuenca, however I a. didn't do all that much in either town and b. don't have photos to go with it, and so feel like it's not worth a blog. However I've heard lots of great stories about Cuenca. Apparently its a fabulous place to learn spanish and a lovely old city to explore. The hostel I stayed at was great and it was in the perfect location; just around the corner from loads of cafe's, resturaunts and eateries and the old town in all it's glory.
Banos is the San Gil of Colombia only more intense. It's small town center is filled with shop after shop advertising their tours; to the jungle, the volcano, rafting, hiking, biking, go karting, you name it, they sell it. I spent my day in Bano's walking around and blogging, it was a rainy old day in town so I didn't venture past the main square however I've heard some great things about Banos and so if you're not scared of tourists you may just want to come here; many options for cheap accomodation.
So I left Cuenca on Sunday afternoon, after spending the night with a nice girl
from the hostel, discussing travel over a nice beer. I travelled by means of 'private transport' something I rarely do. However after spending almost eight and a half hours on a bus trip from Banos to Cuenca when it should have been no more than 6, I was done with public buses for the day and considering it was only going to be 3 dollars more to take the private transport I gladly paid the $15! I was in the car with a lovely couple from Florida who were looking to do investments in Ecuador; apparently Ecuador, in particular Cunenca is the new Costa Rica and the older Floridians are flocking down here in droves, good or bad I'm not so sure?
I arrived in the beautiful Vilacabamba and settled into my cosy dorm room after indluging in a very delcious bowl of veggie soup and chocolate ice cream with topping! for a mere $4. This German run hostel/hotel is amazing. It really is more like a spa resort in the mountains but at a hostel price; for ten dollars you can get a dorm bed and buffet breakfast including granola, fruit, real brown grainy dense bread (bless!) with eggs
any way you want them or crepes....pretty amazing. Oh and within this sprawling propery you'll also find a beautiful kidney shaped pool, bar with hammocks, pool table, table tennis, a dart board and couches oh and great alcohol prices....they also have free internet and beautifully landscaped gardens. They're situated two km from the town but unless you're on a super tight budget you can get away with skipping lunch and eating soup for dinner, after all the buffet breakkie is a 'how much can you eat?! Hostel Izhcayluma is the name!
After slight deliberation I decided to go horse riding. I haven't done it on the trip thus far and I heard if I was to do it that this was the place. It's no wonder, the landscape is incredible. It's much lower than Cuenca so along the way we saw banana plantations and more tropical plants. Hmmm one of my biggest issues seems to be becoming distracted easily when writing....getting lost in my thoughts, I guess here I go again.... I was just thinking about my time in Costa Rica...haha so I went along with a skinny version of Reed (for those SOTW readers!) yep so it was quite
the adventure!! I had a beautiful horse named Tequilla. I've always loved horses, how elegant and beautiful they are and always thought I wanted a horse....I can remember begging mum and dad for one but they just wouldn't budge, I'm now thinking this was a good thing, for I don't feel all that comfortable on board the great beasts....most of the time I felt so bad for him having to carry me up the huge hills and yes at times felt very uncomfortable however regardless of my fear of hurting him, it was quite the adventure. I have been sore for three days but it was worth it. The great thing about doing 'adventure' activities in a country like this is you get the real experience...We basically gallopped the whole way, which for those of you who know is the BEST feeling (at the time!) and I was able to see some spectacular sights in and around the town that is VIlacabamba.
I met some lovely backpackers, one of whom I'm still travelling with and over some table tennis and scrabble we shared our wonderfully diverse travel stories.
Unfotunately, I'm starting to sound like a broken record with this line
'time was still moving and so it was time to move on.' Olga and Arora were off to Peru and were taking the route I had intended to take so by 6am the following morning I was on my way to Peru, finally!!!
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claire
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thanks for the great post!
Another great post! Thanks! I'm just starting to research a trip to Ecuador and what a delight to read of your fantastic travels. As I sit here eating my real brown grainy dense German bread I could SO relate! Happy travels, Claire