Bonita - Ecuador

We last left our blog in Peru just about to cross the border into Ecuador. The border crossing is meant to be one of the most feared in all of South America (we only found this out after crossing with no problems and in only about 30 minutes). After crossing the border we were greeted with Bananas, more banana palms than you could imagine. I now know were all Bonita bananas are grown!!! I feel so complete. My trip has been worth while after all.

We had about a week and were planning on going to Baños but after the sun and surf of North Peru we decided to go to Mantañita, a small village that exists due to surfing. Again the waves were too small to even take a 9 foot mal out but you can´t control the weather. The town had a great vibe. All the houses are made from bambo, the street are filled with boardshorts, mini skirts and jandels. Your nose is filled with the smell of dozons of restuarants serving either bbq meats on a coal grill or a huge choice of sea foods. Julie particulaly took a liking to the garlic prawns and at 4 USD a plate I can see why.

Due to the lack of good surf we decided to venture further North to another small village called Puerto Lopez. The attraction of this small fishing village is its proximity to Isla de la Plata which is like the poor mans Galapagos Islands. About $900 US cheaper to be exact!!!!!! It was an awesome experience. On the way you are spoiled with a choreographed hump back whale performance. These whales are the same as those in Kiakoura but instead of feeding they are mating. This along with their need to lose weight in the warm water means they put on a good show by getting fully air bound only tens of metres from the boat. Next was the island and the famous blue footed boobies. Of couse the boobies were my personal favourite!!!!! Other wildlife included Albatros, masked boobies etc. Before we deperted the island we were treated to some world class snorkling around the islands calmer waters seeing parrot fish and other colourful fish.

The only catch about changing our plans and sticking to the coast was the extended travel time to get back on track. A 5am start followed by three different buses and 14 hours of travel. At one stage our entire luggage was lost. We departed the bus, opened the luggage compartments and they were empty. About 20 minutes later after some abusive exchanges and dirty looks they arrived unscathed on a completely different bus? We will never know what happened but we have our bags so dont care.

Back on track after 14 hours we arrived in Baños which is famous for its backdrop which consists of a live volcano which errupted in 2005. It was definitaly still allive with the sky filled with smoke at all times.

Baños was another tourist destination on the gringo trail and therefore catered well. Our first tour was a tour of the water falls. On the way we decided to go bungy jumping Ecuadorian style. This means throwing youself of a bridge with a full body harness. Just before you hit the ground you swing under the bridge to the other side. Julie was ok to begin with but when push came to shove nothing happened for some time. Her legs for good reason were not going to let her jump. It took about 5 long minutes and finally she threw herself off. First words ¨that was the most terifying thing I have ever done¨. Great to hear when you are harnesed up next in line. Of couse I had to jump without hesitation as Julie had already done it and if I bailed I would be a girl. Thats what was running through my head but it didn´t happen that way. I hesitated three times before jumping and like Julie would rate it as one of the most terrifying and exciting moments of my life.

I had always planned on eating a guinea pig while on my South American trip. As yet I havent and this is why...

The next couple of days were spent in Quito which is a World Unesco Heritage site for its amazing architecture and inca/colonial style buildings. There is also a cable car which takes you to an altitude of 4200m which made for stunning views over the city. I am writing this from the Quito airport. We are now on our way to Bogata, Columbia (but only for an hour) and then on to Sao Paulo Brazil.