| May 16th Tunguraua So we caught a truck up the volcano to 2800m with the bikes. We then dumped them in an abandoned house and started to climb up the beast. It was pretty hard at that altutude and the path was really bad. We had no view as their was thick mist. Even during our trek up it was quite obvious that there was a lot of volcanic ash covering the leaves on trees beside the track and on the track itself. We didnt actually go all the way up to the top, as there is a fair amount of smoke and ash constantly pouring out of the crater this would have been a bad idea - but we did get up to the camp at 3800m which was easily enough for the day! At the camp there was a memorial to an Israeli guy who fell off the mountain, that instilled tons of confidence in us! We climbed down and then cycled into town. Went to the hard rock cafe after showers for some beers. At around 10pm SAS arrived and so we chatted for a bit then went to a club next door. It was full of locals, who all left at 1am?? Left there at around 2am, as I was knackered. Unfortunately, Neil thought it a great idea to bring back three of the SAS girls to our room at 3.30am! They were so noisy! !7th King of the swingers We left town and arrived at a place where you could step off a bridge and swing between 2 bridges. So after building myself up for it, I stepped off the bridge and fell 40m down...it was scary but awesome fun. Some of the others followed! Recommed it! We then drove over the worst roads in Ecaudour to Tena. !8th Jungle is massive! Headed into the jungle...we were staying in huts, but were quite nice. We then went on a trek to a lagoon for a swin. Damm it was hot walking thru the jungle, and its just so green and deep! We then went tubing down some rapids - there was 5 of us on 4 tubes tied together and the rapids were not strong enough for us! After lunch we went on a walk round the forest to chat about the fauna. We chatted about medicinal and edible plants. It was really interesting! At nite there was a local band playing, I tried to escape dancing by sneaking off but was caught...I then sneaked off! 19th - We did a trek thru the jungle for a coue of hrs then we had to climb about 5 waterfalls. The first 2 were really easy, but then it got hard. It was climbing up sheer rock faces with the water hitting you and pushing u off. At times I thought I was a gonna, as we only had the safety rope for the second last climb. Really hard work and I slipped off the rocks several times as we were all wearing wellies! Slept all afternoon and then we transferred to another place, which was awesome. 100m overlooking the jungle and river. So I grabbed my wodka (no it is acrually spelt like that) that cost me $2 and drank the bottle. At about 1ish, I felt it was time to sleep. I was wearing my eletronic mossie repellent that my bro bought me, I wasn`t bitten once. They were all impressed as it looks like a star trek transponder! 20th Vampires do go for the neck! It was really a great view of the jungle, we could see for miles and miles! Went on another trek to learn about the plants into the primary forest (there was only 6 of us as the others were still to drunk). We walked thru really thick, sweaty jungle which at times Migueal (our guide had to use to chopper on!) had to chop down. We also had to climb some canyons and tight passages, not that easy but interesting though! We then had to climb thru a bat cave, where we got covered in bat droppings. Then the guy made a noise and they all flew around, one attacked me by flying into my neck! Bloody vampires! Headed back for some great lunch then got kitted up once again and headed onto the river for 1.5hrs tubing. I bet you never realised how extreme I was! It was fairly gentle and we had a good chat all the way round. At nite we had some local jungle come and sing for us - after 30mins I passed out and went to bed. 21st Final day on truck... Left Tena and headed to Quito - bit of a emotional trip...we played all of our fave songs and talked about the last 2 months...crashes and all! I am not looking forward to travelling by myself as I need to think for myself...yuch! So we arrived in town for about 7ish and then went out for some food then to Bar Patata for some beer. I was home for about 12ish. The tour guide said that we were her worst trip that she has done...pretty funny stuff, I hope she reads this as I think she needs to gain organisational, people, negotiating and management skills! 22nd Today, Liz and wondered around and we confirmed our flights for Sunday. Then we wondered around some more looking for some new accommadation for tomorrow and just scoping the bars. We found the British bar, which served some nice beer. Headed back to the hostel to dump my new purchases (toothpaste) and then checked email. Got an email from Margot who was in town and wanted to meet for some beers as I would not see her till next year in London, as she is going to Hondorous and then London. Met her for ages and some others joined us for beers until she left to see INXS. They are starting their world tour from Quito, without Micheal as well!! 23rd Journey to the centre of the earth... We changed hostels to the Friendly volcano where all we had in our room was 2 bunks. It is very basic there, but for $4, I can�t complain much! Ok then, its a dive! We then got on a local bus to the Equator. We climbed the monument to it and walked quickly through the museam. It was nice there, as there was a colonial type town surrpunding it, where I bought a tshirt and send a postcard home as it has a special postmark. We then went next door to the unofficial museam of the equator. This has been checked by GPS instruments and is actually the equator. We did the water test there - on the south side, it flowed down clockwise, Northside - anti-clockwise and then on the equator is flowed straight down! It was pretty amazing... Also you weigh less there as there is less gravity as you are further from the centre of the earth! Headed back, and wrestled with the internet for a bit. Then we all went into the room, which is so small. Only 2 of us can stand up the other 2 need to sit on the bed! I may get the room to myself when the girls and Ryan go on Sat morning! Went to the Mongolian eat all you can for dinner, best $4 I have spent! Slept really badly as the hostal was so noisy! 24th Ecaudourian Independence day After brekkie we walked down to the park where the parades where taking place. It was packed out, it seemed like most of the city where here, and selling something. The faves where roast pig with their head still on, lemon slices and fried potato balls! There was loads of army guys there, dressed up in the gear, they looked pretty smart. Then the parade started and their was rows of soldiers walking down. Then the crowd surged forward, and where beaten back by the MP�s. Then some parachutists flew around and amazed the crowd. Helicopters and jets flew low over the city for the next 20 mins - that was excellent! Then headed to a really nice shopping mall (best I have been to since the US) for lunch...mmm...taco Bell special for $2, Yum yum! Got some tickets for spiderman later tonight, then I think it will be an early nite as the girls leave at 4am! Tommorrow I may pack in the am, then check out the old city later, then hopefully SAS will show later for several beers .25th Old clothes Today there was only three of us left, so we three went to the old city. There is some nice churches and streets there, all very colonial looking and very different to the rest of the city. What was amazing was the deal KFC where doing, a twister and coke for a $1!! We climbed the main basilica and got some great views of the town, we actually where climbing over the roof of the church and then on to the top of the building! Headed back and packed some more...used the internet (they had a 2*1 beer offer, so I had to start early) and started to have some beers! Went to the Sutra bar for some more then met SAS in the Patata bar. It was a good nite, although somewhat heavier than I wanted. It finished at 3am! Sunday 26th Day of reckoning! Well, I am here...its been a rollercoaster over the last 2 days , but a whole lot of fun. Rio is beautiful, nice beaches and so hot! Think I just checked into some hostal...although, I can�t be sure - but the guy took my bag very readily! Anyway, on sat nite I was out drinking till 3am with some folks from the other truck (got some more email adddresses for OZ!) and then I was up at 8am to ready meslf for the flight. The first leg from Quito to Gayaquil took 30 mins flying time...pointless, then it was a nice flight to Lima. I had to wait around in Lima for 6 hrs...but its quite funny...I never checked in, so my name was called out over the pa system... I went with the main dude thru the all the hidden security channels right thru to the check in desk (I had to fetch my bag to retreive my yellow fever certificate) then i was escorted thru all the security checks, I pretended I was famous! Then the dude asked me to buy some duty free stuff for him...funny times! But I arrived in Rio this morning, checked into the hilton (I wish!) and headed for the golden arches! I am just killing time until 12, when I can change my clothes! |