On way from Cuenca to Banos, bus made a 20 minute stop at a restaurant. Next to restaurant, a group of Indigenous people were sitting in median strip, enjoying the sun.
As we passed through another small town, some school girls were having a good laugh at a busy street corner.
Massive Andes Mountain range along the way. Slopes are cultivated with corn, potatoes, etc.
Reached Hotel Chimenea around 3:30 pm after an 8 hr bus ride from Cuenca to Ambato, followed by another one hr bus ride from Ambato to Banos. Below is view from our 3rd floor room in this very nice hotel that is located next to a lovely waterfall, and also close to town - a 5 minute walk.
Making taffy the traditional way.
We joined a 3 hr tour, along with 30 other local folks, to see 4 waterfalls near Banos. At this first waterfall, Agoyan Falls, we paid $1.50 each to ride this gondola. View was spectacular. Next stop was Rio Blanco where people were lining up for their zip lining and bungee jumping thrills. Ah, not for us this time! Last waterfall stop was Pailon Diablo which was amazingly huge, powerful and voluminous. Everyone who got too close enjoyed a fine splash.
Heidi's Two-Cents Worth
One thing Mona neglected
to mention was the most famous activity Banos—the baths! We went on
a Friday night. Just imagine this scene—a medium sized pool filled
with hot muddy brown water. Now imagine a hundred people crowded so
tightly that we couldn't stretch out but only squat in place. Now add
a few kids squiggling in between all the adults. That's Banos on the
weekend. Actually I liked everything about Banos except for the
banos! And I should have known better than to go on the weekend. The
nature was great, the sports were fun, the hotel cheap and
comfortable ,and the stores were interesting.
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