ECUADOR  (12 days)We loved Ecuador! Around every corner we found something more amazing then the last. The capital, Quito is magic. Loved the old town with amazing old colonial buildings and churches. Wonderful to be there over the weekend to get the true feel of the local vibe. While in the capital we had to go visit Mitad Del Mundo (Middle of the World) Highly touristy though we had to just have that photo between hemispheres, Steve on the North and Me on the South... Ahhhh
Ecuador does have some amazing landscapes which freaked us out at one point - erupting volcano's, rolling massive mountains, valleys of Baobab trees (apparently not only found in Africa!!!), impressive lakes.Our time around the beautiful Quilotoa loop and visits to the indigenous markets where they still barter and have an impressive animal market to boot.  Next was the experience of sleeping at the base of the erupting Tungurahua Volcano, raining "ash" and horse riding pecariously on the edge of mountains. The next bizarre thing was sitting at top a train for 7hrs though some of the most spectacular scenery in Ecuador. What an experience!
While in lovely Ecuador we travelled through the following cities/towns/villages: Quito, Latacunga, Saqusilli, Ambarto, Banos, Riobamba, Alusi, Cuenca and finally Loja before crossing the border into our next country - Peru.