Entry 3: Banos, River Napo, Otovalo

Howdo.

Today I am in a town called Banos in Equador. Again the scenery is pretty mind-blowing. I went for a run yesterday and it was slightly different to my normal trek down radbourne lane and markeaton island.

Over the last few days I have been staying in a jungle lodge, the Anaconda, on the river Napo. Our guide, Fausto, led us on a fearless trip on which we ate ants and swung from trees....it was very Tarzanesque.

The following day we then met a local family who showed us how to make the local alchoholic drink, cica, before building a raft and floating back down the river to our lodge. Don´t worry, i was thinking of you all at work as I was relaxing aboard the raft enjoying the sun.

On our way to the Anaconda we also passed over the equator, so i got a photo, as you do.

This afternoon I am off for a spot of canyoning, which basically involves me putting on a wet-suit and throwing myself off waterfalls, which should be fun. Before that I need to wander around town using a combination of broken Spanish and the word "premiership", in the hope that someone might be able to suggest a place to watch a match on Saturday.

I see the Germans did us again on Wednesday.

A few observations:

There are a lot of stray dogs in Ecuador.

Children in indigenous communities are expected to marry at the age of 15.

Right, i´m off. Have a nice weekend everyone.

Vinny