Woke up early and found a note that was slipped under the door to our room. It was from Max and Vane. The note said that after they dropped us off at the No Name Bar to take the car home, Vane got sick and apologized for not showing up. They also knew we were taking off so they left an email address. That was nice.

So, out of the blue we just decided to pack up and head off to Banos. We found our way to the main bus terminal where again, we just kind of figured it out and we were on a bus to one of the best places that I have ever seen. The bus didn’t even say Banos on it and even with our lack of any other language we did it. How cool is that?

After only a $3.50 fare, three hours of traveling through green pastures and amazingly clean villages, we were told to get off the bus and find anothere one to take us to our destination. Another oops. We were now in a little village bus terminal where the bus attendant helped us find the correct bus to Banos and then explained that there was no charge because he had already charged us for the transfer. Off again.

We traveled near the live volcano that Banos sits under. We could see where the normal lava flows. The road was windy and scary, but we arrived in Banos without crashing. What I did not do was arrive with all of my gear. As we were walking away from the bus terminal, I felt like I was missing something. I was. The person sitting behind me on the bus cut my straps from my backpack and stole my jacket. That sucked because it was a bit chilly out. So, off on a shopping spree.

We managed to find a great hotel right downtown across from the park where 20 years ago my parents stayed by the same square. We paid 2 days rent but then after walking around town we decided to go on a jungle tour. The lady at the front desk was nice enough to postpone the second day until we returned from the jungle. Now off we go on an amazing adventure neither one of us have ever done. The Amazon here we come!

First day in Quito was a wake up to a taxi for a $5.00 ride to do a “city tour” which started out at the Presidential Palace. From there we went to many museums, churches, etc. and there is no way I could ever remember the names of these places. I do know that we walked, walked and walked some more and pretty much saw all the sights in the Historic District.

On our 10km walk back to the 5 Star hoity toity Shereton Hotel, we were staying in, we found the local hang out for touristas.  This is small 4 way corner with bars and restaurants on each. All of these places are very nice and reminds me of a college type night life place. Which I think it was.

After a long discussion on which place to enter, we chose a really nice place and ate a very tasty ostrich dinner/late lunch. With an almost major mistake, Jo-Ann stopped me from ordering a 90.00 bottle of Bombay Sapphire. I was thinking in pesos and well, that’s not 9.00 USD. Good thing she was there. OOPS!

It was a long walk back to the room but because this was a special night and our first full day in a foreign country, the best thing to do was to find a local pub. How ironic it was to find a British pub across the street from where we were staying. Pilsner, Yeager, and Columbian moonshine hit the spot just fine. To top things off we met a nice local couple who invited us out with them to the “No Name Bar”. It’s too bad that they never showed up, Jo-Ann and I got toasted anyway with one last cervesa, and then found our way home with a taxi. After a special room service meal we shared, it was off to bed.

Gotta love it!!!