South of the Equator

July 2nd

Travel to Quito from San Francisco. Night in Quito.

July 3rd

Walking tour of Old Quito. Evening in New Quito (La Mariscal).

July 4th

Leave early morning. Taxi ride to Quilotoa Loop, Banos, Riobamba. Spend night in Riobamba.

July 5th

Leave in the morning after breakfast to Julio Vernes Travels. Gear up (lots of gear!), and head to refuge. Practice hike, dinner there, and a cold uncomfortable night.

July 6th

Wake up really early, gear up, chow down (a bit), and head out. Beautiful stars, milky way. Tough climb. Tougher descent. Back to Riobamba. Chill out. Walk around. Guided tour. Jude leaves.

July 7th

Morning in Riobamba. Market. Walking tour, and some shopping. Chifa. Head out to Banos. Check in to hotel. Try to head to Piscina del Sala.... . Check out mountain bikes, and some memento shops. Massage, and hot springs. Night out in Banos.

July 8th

Head out to Rio Verde on mountain bikes. Tunnel. Tunnels. Gondola. Other bikers. Rio Verde. Hike down and back. Fried rice (arroz vegeteriano). Head out further. Hitch a ride to Puyo. Park bikes in cabbie's place. Head to nature conservancy place. Boa constrictors, caimans, monkeys, macaws, tapir, etc. Ride back to Banos. Shopping. Dinner. Vijay and Siva leave.

July 9th

Head out to Banos by bus after breakfast. Little boys next to me. Long ride. Not feeling so well. Back to hotel Los Alpes in Quito. Soccer match. KFC. Soccer match with head butt. Sleep. Head out to New Quito, hoping to find Artisan shops. No luck on Sunday, mi amigo. Cathedral. Brother and sister. El Mapel. Foccasia. Back to hotel. Retire early.

July 10th

Up early. Ride to taxi was suprise. Anselmo (driver from Quito-Riobamba from before!). Back to airport. Rebooked flight. Airport tax. Long flight back. Home sweet home!