Banos

(DAY232 : Rio Bamba - Banos : 60 miles)
(DAY233 - 234 : Banos)



Volcan Tungurahua was busy spewing smoke as we approached Banos.

A short and familiar ride later we were in Banos. Actually, at first we zoomed past Banos, then turned around and fished it out. It's that small. I checked in to a nice and quiet hotel for $12, then went exploring the town.







Pork skins anyone?


Or would you prefer a juicy guinea pig?

Banos is a popular touristic spot because it offers a wide range of activities and pretty sights. ATV rentals, horseback riding, biking, hiking, climbing, rafting, bungee jumping, lava sightings, hot springs, waterfalls... Now that I put it like that, I wonder why I didn't care much for Banos. For me, the town, the food, the nightlife, and the overall ambiance had nothing to offer. As for the activities, some more sun could have been motivating.

After my second night at the hotel, I got kicked out. The receptionist told me that all rooms were pre-booked, and insisted she had told me that in advance. With my half-ass spanish and 64K memory, I couldn't trust myself more than her word. Unaware that this was a trick I would encounter again later, I said "mi culpa" and packed up. But when two nights of $12 stays added up to $34, I had a few things to say. Ultimately, I left for my trip to Puyo delayed and fully loaded.

The ride along the river was accompanied by nice views and involved showering in several leaky tunnels for authenticity. Just before Puyo, it also offered an impressive glimpse of the jungle as it descended toward the upper Amazon basin.


Simple "teleferico"s carry people to the other side providing a closer look at the numerous waterfalls along the river.


Bungee jumping remains popular.


Some restaurants may over-assure you about freshness of their meat.


The road mimicks the river most of the way...


Then shows you the jungle.


The river on its way to the Amazon.

Puyo is a small town at the edge of the jungle with little to do at. But there I met Miguel, and he took out his shiny Africa-Twin to guide me around. A military cargo pilot and a really nice guy, he not only showed me around town, but got me into a really cool park within the military base. I even got to see a free roaming anteater!

The quick ride back to Banos took an hour and ended up in a better hotel at the same price. I went to bed thinking I'd go rafting if I woke up to a sunny day. I didn't.