White water rafting! Us 2, 2 scots and the guide doing our best not to upturn the raft. Some pretty crazy rapids (some more accurately described as tidal waves), nice scenery and very good fun. Despite some close scrapes we survived without anyone falling in, which was good given the water temperature. Nice trout meal thrown in to the tour too. Back in Banos went to the fruit and veg market where we picked up a pineapple, cucumber, 2 tomatoes, punnet of strawberr...

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 s...

After a run around the local park and another splendid breakfast at the hostel, wandered in to the old town and Plaza Grande to see the changing of the guard outside the Presidential Palace. Don't think was the normal weekly affair because the president himself and some other apparently important people were there, along with lots of press. Marching bands, national anthems, waving flags, trooping soldiers...it had it all! Took in a couple of other plazas and chur...

Tested out Amy's new Panama bought running trainers in nearby Parque El Ejido. After a healthy but filling buffet breakfast at our hostel, returned to the park to check out the Sunday market. Between there and another Market in the new town, came away with a fair few purchases to way our rucksacks down even more. Shopping over, sat in the busy park and sampled some local treats whilst watching the locals at play. Scaled the hill up to Parque Itchimbia for great v...

After our now daily ritual of porridge, disappointed at not having picked up and Colombian souvys, dashed out to some nearby stalls. After a quick bit of haggling we had our wares, but it was almost a costly shop. Our taxi sat in traffic trying to get out of Bogota for what seemed like hours, then we were greeted at the airport by the biggest check-in queue I have ever seen. Fortunately after a while, given there was no way we would get our flight we were allowed...