Leaving Banos via bike, hike, raft and canoe

Ended up in Banos instead of Puyo to meet the guide with my trekking poles but he´s not here.

I´ve booked a downriver trip that take me from Banos to Puyo via biking, hiking, whitewater rafting and canoeing. It will take three days, includes lodging (camping), all food, the guide, all the equipment, for $40 a day. I couldn´t pass it up.

The land here is amazing. Banos, a town of 12 000, is poised on the rim of the Andes, and the road to Puyo plunges down into the Amazon basin. Apparently this trip is one of the most amazing, astounding things you´ll ever see, going from up in the Andes to almost sea level in the Amazon basin.

Last night, for $3, we took a volcano tour up to the top of this mountain. It was great fun. Once the bus left town, we climbed up to the roof (yes while it was still moving). Sitting on the roof was amazing-- this bus wound back and forth, the mountain on one side, and a gorge and the river on the other. Often, we´d shriek and duck as trees would come rushing at us, attempting to knock us off the bus. Great fun!

Gotta run. The tour leaves in five... they are just buying more food (for me).

Love you all!

Sarah