That Peeling Feeling

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So we asked for sun and we got it. I (Rachel) got burnt on our first day out. Quito kicks ass on Chile and we´re very excited cos it now feels like we´re actually out in the big bad world and doing the travel thing. We landed ourselves in a fantastic yet extremely backpackery hostel where we met a gazillion other travellers and absorbed as much info as we could from their experienced adventures. We´ve changed our plans seven times so far!

On our first day out and about we took a 4 hour walk around the UNESCO listed Old Town that took us past gorgeous old buildings, dirty old hookers and crazy smelly vegie markets that were jam-packed with locals including 5 year old kids selling everything from sponge bob square pants cushions to toffee grapes - both of which cazz purchased.

Our next day out we ventured to the middle of the earth. Mital del Mundo had two special landmarks; the wrong line calculated by the silly French twats a few hundred years ago, and then the right one calculated by the native americans a thousand years ago using the mountains, stars and sun. The locals are very proud to say that now with the proof of GPS their line was correct. I guess they say "i told you so" to the frenchies.

After a quick stop in the largest tourist trap...i mean...craft market in South America (Otavalo) we hightailed it down to Baños.

Now Baños, tis a chilled out, get down and dirty (i´m serious! it actually rains mud here) with nature kinda place. So far we´ve bathed in hot thermal springs, tried to see a volcano from atop a hill (note for future reference hills aren´t small, they´re twice the size of kosciosko) but the fog was too thick, followed a valley that had chocolate and coffee waterfalls all the way along it. So we´ve decided to stay here...just jokes! we´re off to Galapagos on Sunday 10th June for 8 days of sunbaking and boobie watching. :O)

Best meal: real hot chocolate and pineapple crumble in Quito
Best bargain: Sponge Bob pillow $1
Memorable moment: watching the Ecuadorian Army band parade playing "Little Peter Rabbit had a fly upon his nose...."!

Map: http://www.travelblog.org/gmaps/map_3YC.html

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Photos

Colourful Veg
Markets in the Old Town of Quito.

Toffee Grapes
Like a kid in a candy store.

UNESCO Old Town
This walk around the old town awoke the travel bug in us.

Wrong line
This is wrong but more photogenic French determined equator.

Right Line
This is the Natives ecuator. Nice one.

Otavalo markets
This is the best fun we had at these markets. Funny old lady with table on head.

Little Cane Boy
Another example of a five year old running the family business. Baños has lots of sugar cane.

Las Cascades
We followed this valley of volcanic springs with numerous gigantic waterfalls. Very picturesque.

Cuadrones
We hired this 4-wheeler for an hour, it was great on the way up but coming down the brakes overheated and failed. So, we hitched a ride in the back of a local farmers ute (with the local landslide clearers) back down and into town.

Buena Vista
Green as far as the eye can see. Rich dark soil and farming on the steepest mountain sides.

Comments

[George]

Ouch!
Ouch - sunburn but I guess that's all part of the "travel experience" hey? Looks amazing and how fab does that funny little market look. Are you putting the language skills to use? It's even cold here in Brissie at present if that makes you feel better?

[Kristy]

WOW.........Sponge Bob Squarepants for $1 that's amazing. Oh and so is the rest of it. Well done. Miss you! I keep forgetting your not here Rach.

[Andy G]

Ecuador
Dudes! Great pictures - the place looks beautiful. I didnt even know you were on the road. Have a blast! and keep the pics and stories coming.