Over the last two years, I have traveled to Sao Paulo, Brazil; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Rome, Venice, and Florence; Lima, Peru; and Guayaquil and Quito, Ecuador. My preference are big cities, and all that they have to offer. Nevertheless, I greatly anticipated writing this post and my next two blog posts which deal with something besides big cities, churches, architecture, museums, restaurants, and city landscapes. Mind you, all these things are my favorite things to do at my age when I travel, but the opportunity to share with you some of the natural beauty of Northern Ecuador is a real pleasure for me as well.
After my son, Marc and I brought our last day in Quito to a close, we returned to Casa de Eden, our bread-and-breakfast, at 5:45 p.m. to pick up our belongings. We also met our guide, Milton Chiqui, who was more than fifteen minutes early. I procured the services of a wonderful travel agency, Expediciones Apullacta, located in in the heart of Cuenca. The agency is located on the second floor of a beautiful historic building at the northwest corner of Gran Columbia and Tarqui. Arrangements were made for our itinerary of travel, for our hotels and inns, and for transportation and guide service for the remainder of our trip in Northern Ecuador. Maria Velez, my travel representative at Expediciones Apullacta did a beautiful job of taking care of the details, and when I made a change in our itinerary, she handled it expeditiously.
Maria's greatest contribution to our trip was providing Marc and I with a fantastic guide. Milton Chiqui is well educated, very knowledgeable about Ecuador, and exudes an enthusiasm and passion for his love of Ecuador; which made for not only a most enjoyable, but also a very memorable trip. Milton is from Cuenca, and was about the age of Marc, so he made for a great traveling buddy to both of us. He is a very careful driver, and what I wanted most was convenience. I don't particularly enjoy long hours riding in a car. Milton always knew where he was going; and from his past experience we were never lost. Even when he had never been to Chimborazo before, Milton had everything scouted out beforehand. I did not want to spend hours aimlessly lost on unpaved, rut-spewed, and dead-end back roads of rural Northern Ecuador, no matter how beautiful the scenery.
I was really looking forward to Banos-Ambato, a city of about 20,000 people. Not only was the area stunningly beautiful, but there was an endless variety of things to do. Our first night, the three of us went to the thermal baths known as Las Piscinas de la Virgen (The pools of the Virgin). The first pool of water was excruciatingly hot to the point that I stepped into the water and immediately stepped out without a second of hesitation. If I did not already see people in this pool, I would not believe that anyone could endure it.
Another very hot but more congenial pool was our next attempt. Eventually we became acclimated to the heat of the water. After awhile, Marc spotted a flow of extremely cold water gushing out of a rock just outside of the pool. The three of us took our turns standing under the heavy flow of freezing water. Our movement was as quick as the time it took to enter under the water and remove ourselves just as rapidly. We returned to submerge ourselves from the freezing waters back into the hot bath. Our bodies endured the sensation as if being pierced by a thousand needles.
After relaxing in the pool for some time, I decided before we left the baths, that I would make one more attempt at the intensely heated pool, which challenged us when we first arrived. I was able to immerse myself, and remain in the steaming water for about ten seconds. After a brief respite, I re-entered the pool from hell again and managed possibly thirty to forty seconds before my abandonment. A sign above the pool warned us not to remain in the pool more than ninety seconds. I had not experienced anything that heated, since the Japanese baths in Kyoto many decades earlier. I was satisfied with my level of success, and much relieved that I did not experience a heart attack.
Because of the volcanic activity in Cotopaxi and Tungurahua, Banos-Abato was practically like a ghost town. Government warnings were that if Tungurahua, which sits just above Banos-Ambato were to erupt big-time, the city would be but a memory in history. The volcano has been active since its last erupted in 1999. That night it rained in the city. We ate a fine Ecuadorian meal, spent time in a local bar, walked back to our hotel in the rain, and looked forward to the activities of the next day.
Now the excitement began, as Milton drove Marc and me to the Devil's Cauldron, an area of formidable beauty. The mountains, the lush green walls of the valley, the falls, and the river were breath-takingly beautiful.
Along one side of Devil's Cauldron is a walkway and path overlooking the awesome beauty of the cauldron, and is a relatively easy walk for most hikers who are not dealing with serious health issues. On the other side of the Cauldron is a more challenging walk, which we then attempted.
This more challenging hiking path let us through a cavernous rock of about thirty feet in length where we either had to crawl or crouch down to pass through it. Once on the other side, it was our intent to walk immediately behind the fall. However, upon our arrival, we discovered that rocks collapsed behind the fall some months earlier, which prevented us from passing under the fall. We were told that attempts were being made to reconstruct and open the damaged area.
Notice the walkway behind the fall in the photo below; where due to the damage, we were not able to enter.
On our way back from the falls, I had to crouch down again to move through the cavern. Half way through, I moved to the side when there was room enough to allow another couple coming from the opposite entrance to get pass me before I could continue. Upon finally arriving at the other end, the time I spent crouched down sapped all the blood out of my legs. I had to try three times to stand up, before I could feel my legs and actually stand again without collapsing.
To be in the midst of such absolute beauty was not only remarkably enchanting, but also gave me a sense of standing in the Garden of Eden.
I had not experienced anything this mystical, since some of the beautiful scenes along the Hozu River in Kyoto, Japan.
Some scenes reminded me of the utter beauty Frodo and Sam experienced in the motion picture, Lord of the Rings, as they made their way to Modar in search of the ring.
First, upon arrival, we took a cable car (below) across the wide ravine, and then hiked to each of the locations of the various zip-lines
This wasn't just any tree house. Here one takes the most memorable swing of their lives into nature. If not death defying, then certainly awe-inspiring. It appears in the photo as if one is swinging in a movie studio, while the scene is a studio prop. However, the scene is very real.
In my posts, many of my photos have presented cathedrals from around the world. Man-made beauty of some of mankind's greatest artistic accomplishments. Yet the Cathedral of Nature is splendid in its beauty, and awe-inspiring in its mystical qualities.
Below is an aerial view of Banos-Ambato nestled in the valley, as we say goodbye and make or way to Chimborazo. We had not begun to indulge in all the outdoor and adventure-type activities the area offered. I would gladly return to Para-glide, horse-back ride, and bicycle downhill. There is also dune buggy riding, river-rafting, bungee jumping, rock climbing, canyoning, and hiking in the wake of the Tungurahua Vocano when not spewing lava; just to name a few fun things to do all within the context of the artistic hand of God.
As we departed, Milton pointed out to us that Banos-Ambato is known as the Gateway to the Orient, which is the Amazonias. If we had the time, it would take only two hours to arrive by car into the hot and humid rain forests. A two hour drive west as the crow flies and we would be on the Pacific coast. Now we were heading southward toward one of the highest elevations in the world, and the glacier line. So much climate change, so much topographical changes all within a country the size of Colorado. Below is a link to a post I wrote about a year ago on the geographical variations in Ecuador. It is one thing to read and to write about those variations, and it is quite another to actually experience them.
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Another very hot but more congenial pool was our next attempt. Eventually we became acclimated to the heat of the water. After awhile, Marc spotted a flow of extremely cold water gushing out of a rock just outside of the pool. The three of us took our turns standing under the heavy flow of freezing water. Our movement was as quick as the time it took to enter under the water and remove ourselves just as rapidly. We returned to submerge ourselves from the freezing waters back into the hot bath. Our bodies endured the sensation as if being pierced by a thousand needles.
After relaxing in the pool for some time, I decided before we left the baths, that I would make one more attempt at the intensely heated pool, which challenged us when we first arrived. I was able to immerse myself, and remain in the steaming water for about ten seconds. After a brief respite, I re-entered the pool from hell again and managed possibly thirty to forty seconds before my abandonment. A sign above the pool warned us not to remain in the pool more than ninety seconds. I had not experienced anything that heated, since the Japanese baths in Kyoto many decades earlier. I was satisfied with my level of success, and much relieved that I did not experience a heart attack.
Because of the volcanic activity in Cotopaxi and Tungurahua, Banos-Abato was practically like a ghost town. Government warnings were that if Tungurahua, which sits just above Banos-Ambato were to erupt big-time, the city would be but a memory in history. The volcano has been active since its last erupted in 1999. That night it rained in the city. We ate a fine Ecuadorian meal, spent time in a local bar, walked back to our hotel in the rain, and looked forward to the activities of the next day.
Below is a photo of our lodging, Hotel La Floresta.
I need to get one church in this post. Although not a large city nor a large church, the interior of the basilica in Banos-Ambato was quite attractive. The exterior is also made out of lava stone from a previous volcanic eruption.
Above is a photo of a street in the center in Banos-Ambato, and the photo below is the centro park and plaza in the city.
We had explored a ritzy hotel and grounds, and I captured a view (below) of some of the curve-linear trees.
Later in the day, we ate at the restaurant below. Banos-Ambato has a large variety of bars and restaurants serving not only Ecuadorian cuisine, but also international cuisine as well.
Now the excitement began, as Milton drove Marc and me to the Devil's Cauldron, an area of formidable beauty. The mountains, the lush green walls of the valley, the falls, and the river were breath-takingly beautiful.
The suspension bridge (above photo) allowed for an amazing walk across the crevice.
The rushing roar of the fall reverberated throughout the valley, and yet it was a scene of utter tranquility.
Along one side of Devil's Cauldron is a walkway and path overlooking the awesome beauty of the cauldron, and is a relatively easy walk for most hikers who are not dealing with serious health issues. On the other side of the Cauldron is a more challenging walk, which we then attempted.
This more challenging hiking path let us through a cavernous rock of about thirty feet in length where we either had to crawl or crouch down to pass through it. Once on the other side, it was our intent to walk immediately behind the fall. However, upon our arrival, we discovered that rocks collapsed behind the fall some months earlier, which prevented us from passing under the fall. We were told that attempts were being made to reconstruct and open the damaged area.
Notice the walkway behind the fall in the photo below; where due to the damage, we were not able to enter.
On our way back from the falls, I had to crouch down again to move through the cavern. Half way through, I moved to the side when there was room enough to allow another couple coming from the opposite entrance to get pass me before I could continue. Upon finally arriving at the other end, the time I spent crouched down sapped all the blood out of my legs. I had to try three times to stand up, before I could feel my legs and actually stand again without collapsing.
To be in the midst of such absolute beauty was not only remarkably enchanting, but also gave me a sense of standing in the Garden of Eden.
I had not experienced anything this mystical, since some of the beautiful scenes along the Hozu River in Kyoto, Japan.
Some scenes reminded me of the utter beauty Frodo and Sam experienced in the motion picture, Lord of the Rings, as they made their way to Modar in search of the ring.
The Mola Men (or maybe Frodo and Sam)
Milton Chiqui and Marc
Jim and Marc
Milton Chiqui and Jim Mola
Marc
Upon leaving the Devil's Cauldron and completing our hike, Milton next took us zip-lining, which is called canopies in Ecuador. Five different lines were offered. Zip-lining upside down wasn't much of a thrill. I most enjoyed the lines that involved flying like Superman, and particularly where Marc and I flied simultaneously side-by-side. The forward motion coupled with the awesome view of the valleys and ravines below made for something special I never did before. Zip-lining is actually quite safe and tame, as long as the cables don't snap, and your harness doesn't fall off with you in it.
First, upon arrival, we took a cable car (below) across the wide ravine, and then hiked to each of the locations of the various zip-lines
The photo above, is a luminescent caterpillar. Ecuador is the butterfly and bird capital of the world.
Before we left Banos, Milton took us to the Casa del Arbor (The Tree House).
In my posts, many of my photos have presented cathedrals from around the world. Man-made beauty of some of mankind's greatest artistic accomplishments. Yet the Cathedral of Nature is splendid in its beauty, and awe-inspiring in its mystical qualities.
Below is an aerial view of Banos-Ambato nestled in the valley, as we say goodbye and make or way to Chimborazo. We had not begun to indulge in all the outdoor and adventure-type activities the area offered. I would gladly return to Para-glide, horse-back ride, and bicycle downhill. There is also dune buggy riding, river-rafting, bungee jumping, rock climbing, canyoning, and hiking in the wake of the Tungurahua Vocano when not spewing lava; just to name a few fun things to do all within the context of the artistic hand of God.
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