Ecuador Summer 2009: Back to Banos 8/9-8/11 for Horseback Riding, Canyoning y Monos

Claire, Sarah, Michelle, Rachel and I headed back to Banos for a few days. We didn't have enough time the first time around to take in all that it had to offer and it rained. Well.....it rained again. Guess it goes with the territory...Banos does mean "bath"after all. We pretty much were wet the entire time we were there again. But this time around, it was much more adventurous and FUN!!!

Got there Sunday afternoon. Some wanted to sleep in (not me!) so we took our time getting there. This just happened to be the best day too, weather-wise. We went there without hostel reservations (what's that? ...like we'd actually do that anyway?) Banos is a huge tourist city and thought many people would be there due to Independence Day August 10 but it didn't end up being too bad. Found a hostel, had dinner, booked our excursions for Monday. Played card games, had a few warm, no-ice drinks (Sprite and a $3.00 bottle of peach rum) and Tangos upstairs at Plantas y Blanco where Rachel and Ann Marie were staying. Early to bed for these chicas considering we were getting up at the butt crack of dawn, 0430, to head to the baths for an early morning dip.

Yup, woke up to the RAIN but it had stopped by time we had left the hostel. Walked our sorry, sleepy butts to the thermal bath only to be joined by several other "loco" Ecuadorians...from little kids to oldie goldies. These baths were "pools" that were situated right under a huge cascade. It was very calming, enjoying the baths while listening to the waterfall. There were only two baths, one extremely hot and another. Nothing can compare, however, to Papallacta. It was still nice. We stayed there til it got light out. Headed back, took a little nap, ate at Plantas y Blanco. Delicious!!!! Headed out for 4 hours of horseback riding at 0900.

The horses were waiting for us right in the city. I saw one and fell for him. Bonito (handsome) was his name and we immediately bonded. We had to get through the city before heading up the mountain. Never before had I ridden on streets like that. Buses and cars stopped for us. HORSE CROSSING! We owned the road! Running in the streets was so cool. I love the sound of the clippity clop. Too bad Michelle (ah, yeah, I want to go horseback riding for 4 hours with you guys. Did I happen to mention that I've never been on one before??? UGH!) was inexperienced or we could have done more cantering. Stopped at our highest point and had to get off and walk the horses down. It was a little STEEP. The pictures don't do it justice. Another absolutely beautiful breath-taking view.

More to come...canyoning and more monkeys