Its a tough life

Viva Banos!

The night before we left Banos the annual fiesta started, which involves the whole town turning out to watch live bands, which were set up in the street next to our hostel. They also drink a barrel load of the local tipple (I can´t remember the name of it anymore but it is good stuff).














The music was great. Lots of salsa and regaton (Anna will know what I mean anyway), and after each song everyone shouts ´Viva Banos´. They certainly know how to party. We left at about 12 and they were still going strong well into the night.
















The next day we took a bus to Cuenca which is a colonial city in the south of Ecuador. It is a good stop off before you get to the Peruvian border. The place has a really nice feel about it. No hassle, great food and beautiful scenery. We stayed there for a couple of days and mooched around the local markets and churches.














The Peruvian border crossing turned out to be lots of fun. You basically arrive on a bus where they kick you off and then you need to make your way across the border and pick up transport on the other side. They have conveniently placed the Ecuadorian immigration office about 6 kms away from the Peruvian office so this is great business for the local taxis who all vie for your business when you arrive. We were greeted by a friendly young chap who gave us lots of tips in English about where we should change money, who not to trust and how much everything should cost. Too good to be true? Of course! So after agreeing to catch a cab with him through to the other immigration office, we got stung with a massive taxi fare, not what was agreed, but since the driver had our backpacks locked in the boot of the car there wasn´t alot we could do. So we had to put that one down to experience.














After the border hassle we were really pleased to arrive somewhere friendly. We are now in Mancora, which is a little surfing town about 2 hrs from the border. Can´t say we have been doing a lot of surfing but we have certainly got into the beach bum lifestyle.

We were going to bypass the place but we got an email from a friend saying it is a great place to spend some time and you can´t really argue when the local rum sells for 6 soles a bottle (less than $2).
















We are catching another bus later on tonight to Lima. It is a 16 hr journey but we have shelled out a few dollars for a ´luxury´ bus - so fingers crossed it shouldn´t be too painful. So I must go off to pack and watch the sunset before we have to leave. Hope everything is good at home and that you are all ready for Christmas and New Year. Have a wonderful time. We´ll be back blogging again in 2006! xxx