Guayaquil

Day 88 - Friday 28th May

Tried to leave Baños early doors but buses didn't start til midday. Luckily for me the volcano on the edge of town decided to erupt at 11. Cancelling all the immediate buses. 10 years ago the town was evacuated during a bad eruption but luckily it was only erupting on the other side. Eventually I managed to get onto a bus to the nearest big town and from there wondered the streets until I found another bus to Guayaquil again.

I arrived late to meet my friend I'd met on the bus from Mantañita and further she couldn't find me and had security looking for me through the 100 gate Dr Isles' dream that is Guayaquil bus station. Due to the late hour the only option available was to briefly stroll near my hostel and get a taste of home in Burger King...

Day 89 - Saturday 29th May

Met up with Maria Jose and I was taken on a tour down the newly renovated Guaya River boardwalk. It finishes up at Los Peñas, a sort of favela up a hill but painted in vibrant colours and with 444 labeled steps up to the top. Guayaquil is one of the hottest places I've ever been so it was actually an embarassing struggle but the view from the lighthouse at the top was worth it. Sadly, the nearby IMAX only had films in Spanish so we headed to an amazingly wealthy and american-esque shopping mall. MJ was succeeding in persuading me that Ecuador was actually wealthy and respectable. I'm not sure if I've ever met a more proud people but in a non-arrogant way. And what better way to prove it than watch The Prince of Persia:The Sands of Time. Couldn't help but want to climb on everything for days afterwards...

Day 90 - Sunday 30th May

Took a taxi out of the city to Zoo de Pantanal, thankfully much more natural than Buenos Aires zoo. I had an emotional moment with a monkey who loved playing with my wristbands and saw my first sloth!!!

Next MJ introduced me to her mother and sister, 2 more proud ecuadorians, and showed me how everything in (inside and outside) their house was covered in dust from the volcano. Now I know how Europe's been feeling back home! As a leaving gift I was given a cross/dagger necklace and now feel 14 years old again. Really friendly people...

Day 91 - Monday 31st May

After packing to leave my nice hotel room, we explored the downtown parks and came face to face with the indigenous (and large!!) iguanas and turtles. Met MJ's dad and another sister before exploring more of the city. For the evening we headed back to Los Peñas and had a few drinks at a bohemian bar looking over the river, before I headed for the overnight bus to Quito. Although pretty uncomfy, despite being the only westerner on the bus they decided to put on the film WANTED in English AND with English subtitles. How kind...