The view along the way....
As we got higher we drove into the clouds and fog, we were impressed with the good conditions of the highway and they were working to improve them as we drove along.
I thought it was cute when the bus driver stopped the bus to get a snack on the side of the road, our guide told us it was cooked lima beans...
When we arrived closer to our destination we stopped on the highway and then took pick up trucks to our accommodation...
We were impressed with the place we are staying, Termas de Papallacta which is a beautiful lodge and spa built on thermal hot springs that come from the surrounding volcanoes.
We immediately went to hot springs which were gorgeous, different temperatures in each one...
We were the only tourists around and there were lots of Ecuadorian families enjoying Sunday at the Spa.
Here is Don enjoying himself...
And our travelling companions...the synchronized spa team...
We also took advantage of some spa treatments, massage and Andean mud wrap. They were reasonably priced and the spa area was beautiful. Sorry no pictures of me being wrapped in mud!
The food here was delicious as well...in this area the local fish is the rainbow trout which was introduced into the ecosystem years ago. I had the most delicious trout stew which came to the table in a clay pot and it was still boiling...
Beautiful views from every angle...
The next morning before we left we took a hike further up the mountain along the river that flows into the town below. It had been raining a bit before so it was slippery but not too strenuous.
As we left the lodge we walked by the organic farm that supplies the lodge and it was amazing...
Here are some of the views going up...
It reminded us a bit of Switzerland but not as large views.
Crossing one of the streams...
There were many beautiful flowers, some of which are known for their hallucinogenic properties...
We stopped at the top of the river for a photo op in our fancy ponchos...
On the way down we walked by the river which was swollen with water as it is still the rainy season here...
Some views on the way down...
There were also llamas grazing on the hills...
At the bottom...
There was time for one more dip in the hot springs...
And then we were off to catch the bus to take us to Tena which would be the jumping off point for our four days in the Amazon jungle with no internet!
Our last view of the town, and now on to the next adventure!
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