South America 2004 - Andes & Amazon - Ecuador & Peru
Saturday 18th September - Otavalo
Our first day on the Oasis Overland Andes & Amazon trip! We set off around 8am which for me was a little early having partaken of one too many cuba libres in the bar last night. Most of the rest of the group must have been a bit more sensible or they were hiding their hangovers well! We are currently 15 travellers in total and we'll pick up a few more when we reach Lima. It's quite an international group with 3 Aussies, 8 Brits, a Czech, a Finn, a Canadian and an Irish.
Our first stop was the equator monument where we also prepared our first group meal and started to get to know our way around the truck. Then it was a 3 hour drive through rocky, rounded mountains to the town of Otavalo. We wondered if our crew, Tony & Diane really knew where they were going as they took us up a narrow, country lane but we soon arrived at our destination, a large house surrounded by ample gardens for camping and a fantastic view of a nearby volcano and distant mountains.
After a tent-erecting demo by Tony and Diane, we set to, putting up our own plus the cook tent and the first cook group with Diane's help soon produced plates piled high with spaghetti Bolognese! We ended our first night watching a local folk group, pan pipes and all!
Sunday 19th September - Papallacta
We spent this morning at Otavalo's famous market. The 'Plaza de Ponchos' was packed full of stalls and I immediately wanted to buy everything. Thankfully I came away with just a few small souvenirs and a warm, woolly jumper which I think I'm really going to need during the cold nights that we camp at altitude! After lunch in a local caf矷e all re-grouped at the truck for the drive to Papallacta, a hot springs resort just east of Quito. Within a few minutes of arriving, clutching towels and bathers we all legged it to the springs and soaked in the wonderful warm water as the sun went down and the stars came out.
Monday 20th September - Archidona
Our first sight this morning was a fabulous view of Volcan Antisana, a massive snowy peak, glowing in the morning sun! Tents taken down, breakfast eaten and cleared away, we boarded the truck for a morning's drive east to the edge of the Amazon jungle. Descending slowly along a winding, gravel road, the air gradually became warmer and stickier and the vegetation thicker and greener. We arrived at Orchids Paradise Lodge in time for lunch, it was so nice to get into shorts and t-shirts! This afternoon we were shown around the grounds where they keep orphaned animals - monkeys, toucans, macaws etc. As we are staying at the lodge tonight, we ate in their restaurant, I had a local dish of fish wrapped and cooked in leaves, mm mmm.
Tuesday 21st September - Tena
The guys at the lodge took us out for the day on the Upper Napo River. We panned for gold (didn't find any!), practised shooting arrows (not poisoned!) with a blow-pipe and tubed down a gentle part of the river. Tonight we're staying at a hostel in Tena, a gateway town to the jungle, before a more exciting day on the river tomorrow, rafting the rapids, yee-ha!
Wednesday 22nd September - Shangri-La Jungle Lodge
Yes, it was definitely a more exciting day on the river today, I am knackered. The rapids are only grade 3 but the guides make sure you have loads of fun - mud fights, standing under water falls and of course pushing your mates out of the raft! Our raft flipped twice but both the others managed to stay the right way up. I think that was something to do with Diane having a word in our rafter's ear, must think of a way to get her back!
Tonight we are staying at the best place on the trip so far! It's called Shangri-La Lodge and it's perched on a cliff top above a bend in the Napo River and overlooking a sea of green vegetation to the mountains beyond. We are two to a room and everyone has a balcony with a hammock where you can chill out and gaze at the view. We are being catered for here and tonight we had a lovely meal. Two guys with guitars entertained us for the night - Tony and Diane got everyone salsa-ing and some local firewater also helped to get everyone on their feet!
Saturday 25th September - Rio Verde (Banos)
We are now at El Pequeno Paraiso in Rio Verde, a tiny settlement outside the town of Banos which itself is nestled at the foot of a grumbling volcano! Unfortunately we can't see Mt Tungurahua as it's covered in cloud! We've gained in altitude again so it's not so hot but we're surrounded by lush, green mountains. Some of the guys have been canyoning with Franco but I felt less adventurous and stuck to walking to waterfalls and a horse ride! Tonight Nina and Franco are preparing a bbq for us with everything from bangers and steak to the traditional Ecuadorian guinea pig! (not obligatory).
Monday 27th September - Ingapirca
I did mean to try the guinea pig but it was dark and I picked out a piece of steak by mistake (honest). This is our last night in Ecuador. We're camped next to Ingapirca, the most important Inca ruins in this country. Emma and I took a walk around the ruins and admired the stonework whilst avoiding large llamas on the loose! The cook group cooked up a treat tonight, we're all now sat under the starry night with as many clothes as we can get on and a few beers to warm us up too.
Wednesday 29th September - Punta Sal
We are at the beach!!! It's hot, there's sand, sea and a bar, what more could we ask for? The place is Punta Sal in northern Peru, our first stop from the border. The other Oasis truck, crew and group are here so we're preparing a pig on the spit and a huge feast for everyone tonight! My last night with the group too so the beers, punch and twister board are ready - it's not gonna be pretty!
Please note: the day to day itinerary can vary from trip to trip
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