We realised we had bought too many souvenirs when it took twice as long as normal to squeeze everything in to our backpacks. When we managed this feat, taxi across Quito to the bus station for buses Banos bound. Relatively painless 4 hour journey to Banos, and rather picturesque on the final stretch, following the river along the valley. Found and settled in to our hostel before sussing out what the town had to offer, fuelled by a veggie cafe lunch. Took in the surrounding mountains and waterfall, then later the night skyline, from the rooftop terrace of our hostel.