Well we both survived the trip relatively unscathed.It wouldn't be the Clyndes family if I told you it was all sweetness and light but we didn't do so badly.Even if I had lied at this this point knowing me and my father you would know this couldn't possibly be true.But seriously it was a lot of fun - so thanks Dad for making the trip to Ecuador and letting me show you why I love it so much - although I'm not sure you would agree.We kicked off the trip in a vey hot and sticky Guayaquil - have you remembered how to pronounce it correctly yet Dad?We stayed just north of the city which although a long way out turned out to be a perfect introduction to Ecuador and Ellen our hostess couldn't have been nicer.Sampled the delights of Guyas - Iguanas in the main plaza, the Malecon, Las Penas, Parque Historico and the Banco Central and then we hot footed it back to Cuenca.Dad was unfortunately less than impressed with the delights of Cuenca.Mind you it wasn't helped by our neighbourhood rats who had clearly got bored with our ceiling space and decided to venture further afield into the kitchen.They clearly have a liking for fruit loaf - as do we.Despite the delights of the orchid farm, the Sunday market at Gaulaceo, Museum of Modern Art and the Banco Central, swimming in the Olympic Pool, ice cream at Tutto Fredo and dinner at my two favourite restaurants I'm not convinced he was won over.I guess you can't please all of the people all of the time. Headed north on the Pan American - love that road - to Latacunga.The hostal was great if a little cold.The picture on the blog of Dad fully clothed with his legs in the sleeves of his fleece trying to stay warm is worth checking out for entertainment value if nothing else!Took a trip to Cotopaxi.Second time around it was even more spectacular as the fresh snow fall gave it a completely different feel.The trip took longer than we thought so instead of heading further west we moved north up to Quito.Quito was fun but the altitude was a bit of a struggle.Having said that we managed to get to the old town, the sunset at El Panecillo and of course the Equator where we watched water spin in different directions and tried but failed to balance an egg on a nail!Next up was our trip to the Jungle - sorry Dad, the Amazon Rain Forest don't you know.Despite a few hiccups along the way - a row with our driver; the oil company digging up the road to connect a pipe; a downpour like you have never seen just as we got into the canoe to head to the lodge; and finally the engine on our canoe conking out leaving us to drift down the river - we made it to the lodge at darkfall.It was an amazing place.Bloody marvelous in fact.The jungle - sorry Amazon Rain Forest - was literally on our doorstep.Had some great tramps and saw some amazing things - snakes, frogs, ants, monkeys, caimans, humming birds, tucans, woodpeckers, etc., as well as the Canopy itself.They rightly call this the Magical Canopy Tour.It was fantabulosa!Headed to the coast to Esmeraldas.Although a little remote it was great to chill by the sea despite the bugs which descended on us at every opportunity a bit of skin was exposed.Read, walked along the beach, swum in the sea and generally just chilled.Couldn't get a flight back so had to take the bus.Everything was going fine until my stomach had a fit of the heeby geebies.No idea if I have spelt that correctly but I'm sure you understand what I mean.I will spare you the details but in the words of the illustrious Chris Turner I am officially a 'pooligan'.I was a little concerned that it was the return of my little buddies but it turned out to be just a 24 hour thing.This is of no comfort to the bus conductor who had a small hissy fit at me.Some people! Had a fun last day in Quito looking at maps and a trip to the Botanical Gardens before putting Dad on the plane home.All in all it was good fun!