RioBamba

Have now left Riobamba........and in the end, it will be fair to say that I won´t be heavily missed. This is the first town where I managed to make absolutely no friends. I have to say though, the bike ride was worth every minute. It was absolutely aweseome. I haven´t stopped talking about it since I did it. Riobamba was a nice little town that is close to the volcano that erupted a couple of weeks ago. It actually got covered in a film of ash. The ash was still blowing around a bit (little sharper than normal dust). Little harder on the breathing and the eyes, but I didn´t really find it difficult. I got some pics of the volcano that erupted too......its still spewing ash.

THE RIDE
Our guide´s name was Galo (for all you other backpackers, company is called ProBici). They took us up to the base camp of Volcan Chimbazo, at 4800m!! We then got to hike up to the 2nd camp, which was at 5000m. Given my lack of acclimitization, lack of energy after being sick, and my ongoing poor fitness levels (is that enough excuses), I kind of struggled with it. Was only making it about 30 feet at a time, before having to sit down and catch my breath. I heavily underestimated the size of Volcan Chimbazo. It is actually the largest mountain on the western hemisphere.......yes, the Colorado Rockies pale in comparison to the Andes down here. And actually, they say that the summit of Chimbazo is the highest point on the earth (bet you didn´t know that!). Mount Everest is the highest mountain on earth, but because the earth bulges at the equator, Chimborazo is actually the furthest point from the centre of the earth (or, the closest point to the sun). It was awesome. The weird thing was, was that there was no snow at 5000m. It was pretty damn cold though.......we cold see our breath. Anyway, we got to jump on our bikes here, and started a 38km downhill ride that went through every terrain that you could imagine. It took us about 5 hours to complete. Got to see alpacas (these llamas like looking animals), giant canyons, rolling grassy hills, ice capped mountains, wide open winding mountain roads, dirt paths, etc., etc. Along the way, we actually got to pass through these indigenous mountain villages. The people all loved to come over and chat when we stopped......especially the kids. The kids would actually come running to the road when we were passing by to wave at us. I felt like Lance Armstrong on the Tour de France......except without the hot girlfriend......ah, and the talent. The scenery throughout the ride was spectacular. I tried to stop and take pics as much as I could, but got a little caught up in bombing down the mountain.

We also got to see the bulls that they raise for the bullfights. Bullfighting is HUGE here in Riobamba, and the top bullfighters (they rank then like tennis players) are kings down here. The bulls were giant. For the big bullfighting festival here, the farmer provides 8 bulls (btw the ages of 4 to 6....that´s when they are the strongest.....and angriest), at $5G´s a piece! Not bad. The best 6 get used. Each of 3 bullfighters have to fight 2 bulls in the afternoon. All the bulls are fought to the death, unless the bull and the bullfighter put on a spectacular show, which they then spare then bull´s life for future fights (doesn´t happen often). Most of the best bullfighters are in Spain, but aparently 5 of the top 10 in the world come to the big festival in Quito each year.

Anyway, I am now in Latachuga. There is supposed to be this amazing bus ride that you can do here through the Andes, that´s called the Quilotoa Loop. It ends at a spectacular crater lake called Laguna Quilotoa. I´m staying at a hotel called Hotel Estambul. And to my relief, there are some backpackers in here that I have met. It´s nice to have conversations in engligh again. Probably going to head for the Laguna soon. The altitude here is a real bitch. Sometimes I wake up feeling like I´m suffocating because I´m not taking in enough air. The difference between the highlands and the lowlands here in Ecuador is pretty dramatic. Nice to have the change though. I´m am absolutely loving the Andes here........they are amazing.

Anyway, that´s all for now.

Here are some pics from the beaches in Ecuador.
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=8ab2nqp.c6wv1ylx&x=0&y=lm10ff

Here are the pics from the bike ride.
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=8ab2nqp.51x9vg4l&x=0&y=-eb1b5p


PS - Oh yeah and Colin, so far, Ecuador also has the most beutiful women that I´ve come across on this trip. Nice place to visit!