Baños

Three and a half hours on a bus and we made it to Baños, Ecuador is covered in mountains so there was some great views along the way. We'd been told about a micro brewery that made great pulled pork sandwiches. Dinner was decided and off we headed in search of the Stray Dog. It was closed, heartbroken we went and found a local restaurant and had meat rice and chips, a typical South American dish full of carbs. Played a few games of pool with Heinz and Simon, two guys I'd met in Cotapaxi. If you've only got one day in Baños then you need to do exactly as we did, it was epic. We rented bikes for 5$ for the day, the cycle was 80% downhill and had amazing views of the valley and different waterfalls. About an hour into the cycle we pass two guys shouting 'superman' 'superman jump' I jammed on the breaks to enquire. For 10$ I'd jump of a bridge like superman was about all I understood.

Flick and Nicky thought it was a terrible idea and it looked super dodgey but I hadn't done anything crazy in a couple of days so I went for it. Standing on the bridge, I realised there was no bungee chord instead it was just a rope, ah well too late now, I'm sure it'll be grand. Some more Spanish instructions that I didn't understand I stood up on the ledge posed for a few pictures and dived head first off the bridge. All of a sudden I was swinging around under the bridge just hanging there, the swing lasted a good 4 minutes and I was relieved the rope hadn't snapped. Another 15 minutes downhill and we find a swing out over the edge of the valley so we stop for a few pics and see a cart further down the road that goes across the valley. We rode the cart had a beer and swung on another swing. We then made it to Aqua Diablo an extremely powerful waterfall, togs on and we stood under it and got soaked just from the stray water flying about the place. A 2$ jeep back in time for lunch in the Stray Dog. Closed again, we headed to the market and I got a sausage two breadless burgers and chips for 3$. We jumped in a taxi to the famous swing, got some more pics and decided we'd go to the other swing about 10 mins away. The second swing was a lot more extreme and had a great view. Down from the swing and a quick check to see if the Stray Dog was open, it was! I had a great pint of stout 'Oero Negro' and shared a pulled pork sandwich with John as I was still full from lunch. Back to the hostel to book in for our free dinner and we headed to the thermal baths for a relaxing dip before our  9 o' clock dinner. After dinner more pool was played with Paddy and Andy two other lads from Cotapaxi. A few beers and half the hostel was off out to the Leprechaun bar. We got a free shot for coming, it was yellow red and blue and on fire so was drank thru a straw. As I was Irish and the barman had miscounted I got to do two shots at once. Struggled to get out of bed Tuesday but managed to get on a bus to Guayaqil at 1 o' clock. 6 hours on the bus and I'd made it to Guayaqil, I couldn't find anywhere online that said there was night buses to Mancora. So at the bus station I went on a quick hunt and found a night bus. I got McDonald's and a large Pizza Hut to keep me filled. Currently on the bus to Mancora should arrive about 4am I'll stay a night and then make my way back to Cuzco for Halloween. I now have 44 days to get to Rio, cutting it close!