Ecuador to Peru
We find ourselves back in Ecuador after spending quite a bit of time early in May at Galapagos and the area north of the capital Quito.
This time we moved fairly quickly through the north of the country to focus on the south and the Ecuadorian Amazon. Ecuador, like Colombia, is heavily populated (compared to Australia that is) although it is covered to a greater extent in small agricultural holdings as the land is more fertile. Here the locals scratch out a living from the soil with the aid of oxen or the strength of their own backs.
The climate at this time of year (June/July) is perfect, as it is for most of the year if you ask the expat community. Although on the equator most of inland Ecuador is at altitude so the weather is very pleasant.
With a great climate, cheap cost of living, and the rent of a nice three bedroom country villa coming in at US$300/month, places like Vilcabamba in the south are popular. Americans on the pension could live very comfortably here, and they do.
The regional tourist towns in Ecuador are less well presented than the equivalent in Colombia, but they are surrounded by wonderful mountain scenery.
Some towns, like Banos however, in a stunning location in the Amazonian highlands, have been turned into what could be considered to be nature theme parks.
Situated in a naturally stunning deep river valley it has been turned into a bloody eyesore. There are zip lines everywhere, thermal baths, and grungy night spots litter the main street. Open sided buses, blaring loud tasteless local music (in my opinion), cart what must be brain dead Ecuadorians and others, from one man made eyesore to another.
Getting around is still painfully slow, and dangerous by Australian standards, so fewer Ecuadorians appear to own cars and the local buses are cheap, although this could also be due to economic factors.
With extended Overland travel in a vehicle comes roadside/camping ground/or carpark maintenance. I had to replace the clutch master cylinder on the dream machine whilst camped in a car park by South Americas third highest waterfall the other day. I was bitching to myself about having to replace it again after what seemed only a couple of years. When I checked my service logbook it was actually in 2007 whilst returning from a trip to West Australia. When you hang on to a vehicle for twenty four years one loses track of time. It pays to keep a record!
Never let an opportunity to turn a natural feature like a cave into a religious icon pass you by in Ecuador. All those roses were fresh.
The cave entrance as seen from up the river.
One of the locals killing some time after shopping for dinner, which is under her arm, and still very active.
On the road to Cotopaxi volcano central Ecuador south of Quito.
How you can out run a volcanic eruption is beyond me.
Local artist signing an example of her work for Gael in the town of Tigua famous for it's primitive art style.
Stunning Ecuadorian scenery in the area of Tigua.
Looking into the crater lake at Laguna Quilotoa. It was freezing up here at night where we camped in the town square.
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Our camp in the Ecuadorian Amazon .
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At last a Macaw.
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Gael armed with binoc's and camera she's not going to miss a thing.
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A caiman lurking near our camp.
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