It is rather hard to get your mind around."Banos" is the Spanish word used when asking for the toilet. Toilets generally have a sign saying this. Now we are staying in a most beautiful town in Ecuador and it is called Banos! I am presuming the Banos word is more like our "Bathroom" and as Banos the town has hot springs this is the meaning. Still hard to get your mind around!Banos has been good to us. We found a lovely hotel in a convenient place, with mountain vi...

Ecuador is full of surprises.Firstly it is quite cold. Being on the equator one would expect steamy heat, but our travels are taking us through mountainous country, including snow capped volcanic peaks.Secondly, Ecuador does not have a currency of their own, but instead all transactions are in $US. The $US goes a long way though, with a big bottle of water .40cents and a quite substantial meal around $3 to $4.We travelled by bus to Cuenca and on buying our ticket...

Imagine a world where animals, birds, and reptiles have no fear of man. Imagine being able to walk right up to a Blue Footed Booby (yes this bird species exists - but only in Galapagos!) and look him in the eye. Imagine this exotic bird staring unwaveringly back, unperturbed by your presence. This is the Galapagos experience. The unique species of creatures on Galapagos treat the human visitors with almost an air of vague amusement. They don't flee or squawk...

"Why are you going to Seattle?" asked the lad we were chatting to at the bus stop. Why indeed! It is not really on anyone's “To See” list unless perhaps you are a diehard romantic movie fan and just have to see where Tom Hank’s character found himself “Sleepless”. (Actually can you believe there are corny souvenir nightgowns with “Sleepless in Seattle on them?) “It’s much cheaper to take a bus to Seattle then fl...

"Slip'ry as snot, that there road is, you be careful you hear" This sage advice was given to us by an elderly American, who had stopped to admire our Wicked van at a gas station close to the Canadian border. It was absolutely pouring with rain and he was right, the road was slippery, but what a simile, "as snot"! He went on,"It's that new bit of roadwork - I had to put my brakes on and it was as slip'ry as snot - only just got meself stopped in time...