SHARLA: We left Hotel Tren Dorado a day early yesterday. Since, the train isn't running now, and we had our bike ride yesterday, we were ready to go to Banos anyway.....OUR FAVORITE PLACE in Ecuador!!! We did try to walk to the Saturday market in Riobamba before we left, but turns out it is just a smaller version, way smaller, than the one in Guamote. We caught a taxi to the bus terminal only to find out that there is ANOTHER bus terminal that has direct rides to Banos. So we caught another taxi, and this man was really nice....he didn't speak English, but we were able to understand him pretty well. About the time we drove the ten minutes to the other bus terminal, he asked us if we would be interested in him taking us for $30. We all conceded that it was a GREAT idea. It would be quicker than the bus, and we could see more, and he could take us straight to the hostel in Banos. He took us to a garage, and we traded the old taxi for a brand new Hyundai Tucson! So new, in fact, that it still had plastic on the seats....haha, funny how they do that here in Ecuador.
The ride was beautiful to Banos...the roads have improved tremendously since we were here two years ago. That is one of the things that President Correa has done since he's been in office. We made it to Banos, and after the taxi driver asked a couple of people directions, we made it to our hostel, La Petit Auberge. Very old, but very cute hostel, and for $11 a night per person, you really can't beat it. We dropped our bags off, and decided to walk around town. We were hungry, so we stopped for lunch first, and then walked to the square and the shopping. After walking around looking in many stores and stands with all sorts of cool, crafty things, and buying a few things of course, we went back to the hostel. Later, we went to the restaurant that we loved the last time we were in Banos, El Chozon de Molienda. It is apart from the main activity and it is a huge bamboo "hut," that has a big fireplace in the middle and swings around the bar. It is an awesome place. We weren't really hungry, and were just going to have a beer, but we found out that you have to order food, or you aren't allowed to stay for too long. So we decided to order a pizza, and I have to say, it may have been the best pizza I've ever eaten. Imagine what it would have tasted like had I been hungry!
On our way through town yesterday, we made reservations to go on a white water rafting tour for today. We got up around 7:30, and went to The Cafe Good to have some breakfast. And, indeed, it was good! Camille and I had omelettes, and Marsha had a pancake. We made our way to the tour company, and were picked up by the van and taken to another tour company. Apparently, they all work together so that they have full tours every day. We were fitted for wet suits...and I do use the term "fitted" loosely. Of course, Marsha and I were the oldest two in the group of 13, but somehow, we always manage to have fun! We drove about 45 minutes past Rio Verde to the Rio San Francisco, where we put on our wetsuits, helmets and "water" shoes (which turned out to just be Keds). Then, our guide, William, gave us our long safety lesson, which somehow he made interesting and funny. By the time he was through telling us all of the bad things that can happen, Camille was getting pretty nervous.
We launched the raft, got in and off we went on our new adventure! We went through several class 3 rapids and one class 4 rapid. It was awesome! William was an excellent guide. He had us pumped up with energy, and he took us through every rough spot so that we could experience every bit of excitement of the trip. I really thought the water was going to be freezing, and it was cold, but not so much to take our breath away. And, we did get drenched! We went through a couple of whirlpools, and "surfed" next to a giant rock. At halfway point, we stopped at a local "pool" near the river and everyone went under a short waterfall into a opening behind it. Then we floated on our backs through the pool, some of us hooked feet onto the next person's shoulders and formed a train. After the break, we loaded back on to the raft and continued on for the last half. The mountains and the waterfalls here are just breathtaking. There aren't as many waterfalls as the last time we were here, but we are in the dry season. All in all, everything is still very green!
It was an hour and a half on the river with only brief periods of slow water. Most of the time, it was rapids of some sort. After Camille got over her initial nervousness, she was ready to keep going. She said she would do it every day of her life if possible. And, these guys do it every day, AND get paid for it! After the ride was over, we peeled off our wetsuits, loaded up in the vans, and headed to Rio Negro for lunch. Marsha and I had chicken, and Camille had trout...both of which were excellent. Back on to the van, and back to Banos. What a great day! We are just resting now, and cooking up what our next great adventure will be!
NOTE: This should have posted yesterday, but the Internet service went down, so it's a day off.
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