16th - 20th April Banos and Cuenca

Next stop Banos, where we had to stay a little out of town due to volcano risk. Always exciting. A lazy few days for me at this scenic campsite. Ken battled the full size fridge full of beer (and did pretty well, independently clearing the top shelf on the first night), others went white water rafting....but Kirsten and I went for some extreme pampering, opting for a full body massage, exfoliation, facial and pedicure for some ridiculously cheap price. We then crossed the street and found a great bar for some lunch where we topped up our toxins with, I now admit, too much wine.

Coin at the ready for the bus




Having left the campsite for a massage at 9.30am, it perhaps did look a bit odd when we rocked back up at the site at 5pm. However, we had rather admirably (we thought) remembered Pete's instructions to get eggs, bread and a birthday cake for one of our overlanders. The group seemed a bit too focussed on our wobbly demeanour rather than the fact we were heroes, getting the breakfast for the next day. After they'd all had some of Pete's special birthday punch for Steve though, they didn't seem to look at us quite so strangely.

Bit tiddly?


Being heroes,getting eggs



Extreme jenga
This jenga set has dares written on it.....


Jeanne doing a jenga dare!


Next, a couple of nights in Cuenca. A big city but with a lovely small feel to it. A few of us plumbed for the bus tour here and much time was spent meandering the town. A big student town so mooching in the evening had a great buzz too.

Rogan and me posing for Kirsten





Hands on city policing





Came across a huge event which was clearly 100 or so kids taking communion for the first time. Full, extended families were in attendance, wearing their best clobber. Interestingly, this occasionally looked like an outfit you might see worn by a lady who makes a living in a "gentlemen's" establishment.