Back to Baños (biking towards the Amazon instead of jumping off a bridge)

Saturday afternoon I headed back down to Baños with my friend Jamie, her boyfriend Rylen, and her Ecuadorian friend Juanito. Saturday night was chill, we just grabbed a bite to eat and tried to sleep while our way drunk neighbors in the hostel were loud the entire time. Rough night for us, but a rough morning for them I'm sure.

Sunday morning we went back to the thermal baths (not at 5am this time, though) and grabbed breakfast (whoops, sorry mom, desayuno) before renting some mountain bikes and heading down the road toward the Amazon.

The ride was incredible...just absolutely mind-blowing landscape as we wound our way through the rainforest-covered valley and stopped to hike down to the various waterfalls along the way. Our last stop was El Pailón del Diablo (the pot of the devil), one of the most famous waterfalls in Ecuador. If you ever doubt how powerful water is, go there and you will be amazed. Its name comes from the way the walls around the waterfall nearly enclose it like a pot of water, and the devil because of how remarkably powerful the water is. It was amazing.

Our bike ride was awesome (minus the hard seat that haunts me today) and the hiking was absolutely gorgeous, as well. Ecuadorians just crack me up when they go hiking. This country has some of the most beautiful hiking in the world, between its 27 volcanoes (the Andes in general) and the Amazon. So what should you know about when Ecuadorians go hiking?

Essentials for hiking in Ecuador:

1. Footwear: you have a few choices--flip flops, high heels, or your dress shoes (white boots a plus)
   
2. Food: coca cola, chifles (basically potato chips made with bananas), candy, fried pork rinds, etc.
3. Infants: this is a must. Don't worry about bringing kids who could actually be hiking steep/rocky/wet trails, just make sure you're carrying a baby.
4. Clothes: you're probably best off in your nice office wear. Or just really tight jeans and a nice top.
   

Ecuadorians just crack me up sometimes. When Jamie sends me the pictures (again, no camera for me until Feb. 20) I'll put them up because there are some great ones from a really awesome trip. Now I'm just sore for work, but it's totally worth it.