Jipijapa and "La ruta del Sol"

After a night “storm” trip from Andes to Pacific coast – we were supposed to make in 8 hours but bus driver managed it in 5h 30min – we arrived to Jipijapa our base to visit "La ruta del Sol".  Waiting for us the fantastic Guevara family with Mitchell the great ambassador. A big family full of good energy, happiness and always willing to help. From great meals to handy tips, enjoyable moments and finally first chance to ride bike (2 of us together)….it will all stay forever in our top memories box J  Inclusive meeting Dona Poncha who we had pleasure to meet in last day but it looked as we were together all week.

On our first day we “run” to the Pacific Ocean only few kilometers from Jipijapa what was our first ever sight and touch on it. And we didn´t get disappointed.  Washing out feet in Puerto Cayo, it was great experience. There we also had a delicious seafood “mnhamy” meal and laugh a lot on frigates birds stealing sardines from fisherman who just arrived from fishing.

On the same day we went to Puerto Lopez and saw our first pelicans which are not robbers like frigates but patient beggars.

On the next day we visited Manta, big city of the region, and went to fish market and got very disappointed and sad with the amount of killed sharks….just for their fins extraction for some typical soup. They said that shark fin soup is delicious but we believe some  fisherman deserved to be “special” soup for sharks. In Manta beach we had our first real bath in great Pacific waters.

In the “Ruta del Sol” we pass one of our biggest and most amazing experiences so far in the day we spent in Los Frailes, the unique coastal national park in Ecuador, near Puerto Lopez. Lovely walk through dry forest, several types of beaches and observation of lizards(some huge) and birds. We end up passing all day in our improvised tent J Just like in movies we felt we were alone in planet J By the end of amazing day we met D. Jorge Chankay, “President” of tourism in this region, his assistant, driver and couple from US with whom we drunk beer and share some nice translating moments J

Next day we add to visit list Agua Blanca, an indigenous region. It was a family trip with Carlos, Eva, Mia, grandma, cousin and Max-schnauzer puppy. Well, it was pretty place with lack of spirit of it’s past. Except historical heritage people are not connected and interested to follow their ancestors. Once again there was more business than spirit. And the mysterious sulfuric lagoon? we still wondering if it wasn`t just rotten eggs pool :D as they don`t know it`s origin. We wish them some innovation and development otherwise it will be no future place wih a lot to explore.

We could not skip a visit to Montecristi, the origin of so wrong called Panama hats and more important the place of birth of Eloy Alfaro first Ecuadorian president. And we found out that the panama hat got this name because, Eloy took it to Panama as a present and they immediately adopted the hat and name. Besides the hat we could see how they make furniture out of paper…realy cool.

In our last evening we offer Slovak meal with Portuguese desert to our hosts. And thankfully they loved it J.  We could also meet “the Funny Gringo” Joel (typical Irish style and American soul), neighbor of Mitchell and got to know the story of the dog with thousands ticks and machete cuts…..you can not believe it till you see it… but thanks to him the dog look just great and full recovered…nice end story =D.

Last day in Jipijapa was very special. Mitchel took us to a secret place. Long bike ride, walk through finally green forest to amazing 30 m high waterfalls called Agua Dulce. Place you see only in books or magazines.

After great time in Jipijapa we took the bus to Guayaquil where we spend night and got ready to fly to Galapagos Islands.

Enchanted Island here we gooooo!!!!!

"Llacata kunka" the god of the lakes

We arrived to Latacunga nice bus ride with views to gorgeous landscapes. We stayed with Dariña and her family who allow us to have another great "surfer" experience. Latacunga is small but enjoyable city. If there is no fog or clouds you get chance to have clear view of volcano Cotopaxi and Iliniza. Really cool!

On first day we went to Saquisili – market place where they have 7 squares full of stands and goods to sell and nice mix of smells. Fresh and cooked food, clothes, tools, animals…well everything. Wondering around, we were not expecting to find baskets filled with guinea pigs (Chugchucara or cuy) sold for reproduction and as local delicious served with maize, beans and salad!!! Oh, horrible…. and no, we did not try it (at least for now)…

After 2 hours walking through mess of people we watched a nice student´s parade which was never ending.  We watched, watched and then ate and bought vegetable and fruit and they still walked and played on instruments..never ending J

On Friday we visited another volcano named Quilotoa. Perfect day! We walked into the crater of volcano to see lagoon and volcanic bubbles coming to the surface. Walking down was easy..but coming up…pretty difficult. When we finally got up locals tried to fool us telling there is no bus going to Latacunga. So we would take local taxi! Still they didn’t know we are no ordinary tourists :D we hitch-hiked to nearest village and took bus from there.

Next day was dedicated to relax in thermal bath in city called Banos. Surrounded by hills full of lovely flora, singing birds and shining sun..such a beautiful day. On the way back we saw another volcano, the Tungurahua, which is active.

On our last day in Latacunga we went to an enjoyable artificial lake which we believe all the inhabitants visit on Sunday. There was our last walk in Latacunga. We said good bye to street we walked through so many times, packed bags once again and got ready for night trip towards coast to Jipijapa.

Days in the Capital

We arrived to Quito on Sunday night and we met Omar and Guisela and stayed in their apartment. They are very friendly and open minded couple. It was a pleasure to meet them!

Quito has this crazy organize chaos. In traffic, streets, shops…oh…and police stands guard everywhere where tourists go. They made us feel as there is plenty of danger. But we have to say it all looked pretty saved. We had no troubles what so ever. Besides all “fear makers” there is plenty of traffic police on almost each cross road. And they whistle and whistle and whistle!! Never mind that you are standing right next to them. So get ready to cover your ears J

Old part of city is nice. Well, besides some old buildings there is not much more you can admire. We had chance to see change of guards in presidential palace and for our surprise we could wave to president of Ecuador J

We took all morning to visit “Ciudad Mitad del Mundo” – the Ecuadorian line. Very interesting place as it marks the middle of the Earth. People say it isn´t correctly marked (+/-300m) but it doesn´t really matter. We enjoyed whole “city” and visited some small museums. We got chance to stay one on North side and South side of the Earth and jump from side to side J In the afternoon we visited Itchimbia from where we saw panoramic view of huge Quito.

Transport in Quito is perfect, plenty of buses, trolleybuses and connections on each part of city. You can cross city from North to South for just 25c. Some Ecuadorians said that they live in 3^rd world…and they are mistaking big time!!!! Where in Slovakia or Portugal you get that many buses and connections all the time? If you miss one bus there is another going in 5 minutes. Amazing!!!  It was very easy to get around city.

For the end we have to say Quito is not so special…buildings, cars, buses, pollution, people…well nothing we can´t find in other big cities. Nuno almost lost his breath walking to shop early morning – way to many cars and buses = too much of pollution.

Same as first day we run away from big city this time direction South to Latacunga.

Ecuaadoooor!!!!

We made it and we are here. As we decided previously we ran away from this big city towards North direction, to Otavalo 2550m above sea level. Otavalenos are very nice, helpful and tiny people. Sometimes we felt like giants J

We had great weekend full of activities, walks and funny moments. We visited huge Saturday market where almost everyone sells the same things :) ponchos, jackets, hats, bags, bracelets…. Another market in town, was with animals, where we could find mostly cows, pigs (including one that wanted to eat my shoe), sheep, mules, dogs and chickens. Besides the dirt all around, the confusion of animals which were pulled from one side to the other, people dealing prices we had nice breakfast. Piglet meat, beans and salad (no bread finally).

Then we had a lovely walk through eucalyptus forest towards  S. Pablo lake up to Condor park, where we saw a show of birds of pray. Nice place! On the way back to the city we had company of a lovely family. Grandpa with his grandchildren including swimmer Marcelo. It was him who called my attention for small tarantula!!! My first tarantula I´ve seen in the wild.  

But the best was still to come. After small trip by bus and “colectivo” where we met Swiss, Albanian, English and Belgium ( 7 nationalities in one car, including Ecuadorian driver) we had fabulous hike around Cuicocha volcano in 4990m above sea level.  4 hours of amazing views in subtropical volcano climate. Our first Ecuadorian hitch hike was super positive. All you need is show finger and car stops J

And there we were again in Otavalo packing our bags and heading to Quito the capital of Ecuador. 

The trip of all records....Ecuador finally!!!!

When I though there would be nothing new in our flight, we got ourselves  hand and one finger of records. First, we pass 19 hours of darkness without the need of going to the Arctic.  Second, we made 4 flights in a row in 3 different planes. Third, we travel with speed of 900 km/h, no mistake in the numbers, besides the lack of feeling speed. Fourth, we experience winds of 174 km/h, out of the plane we would fly with no problems. Fifth, we were in -47 Cº but we did not open the window :) (this idea of the window came from the American presidential candidate=D). Last but not least, we were at 11.000 meters high without oxygen masks ;).
Leaving the records behind (because I am sure one day I´ll beat them all), we made a fantastic trip. Nice dinners and breakfasts and something else as we got lost in what part of the day we were and how to call a meal at 3 in the morning or was it 6am? Well, no complains, we ate them all...to be more accurate, as we say in Portugal: "to eat and to scratch, one just need to start".
In so many hours of flight we had also the opportunity to make some friends. Tommy, "the Swedish", on his way to Mexico, made us the favour of exchanging seats, as we did not get them together. Funny thing was that we met in the travel books section, of the airport bookshop, before we found out he would be the passenger we would need to ask to exchange seats ( another big thanks Tommy and hope you are having loads of fun in your adventure). In a lucky move, Dimitri "the Greek Biker"(Honda TT 600) seat by the side of Tommy till Panama, on his way to Colombia. We could share some information about places to visit. I got also to know, that it is easy to take a bike or car to South America(maybe next time). All the best for your trip with no mechanics needed.
Al the trip was great and could not finish without knowing Carlos, Katia and their lovely little girl(hope your trip was good and maybe we will meet in Lima for a coffee).
We finally flight over Quito and stayed amazed with the gorgeous views from the plane. We are sure we will love it.

Let's Get Readyyy To Ruuuumble!!

Ready and started.

We are ON. The trip just started and adventures as well. If we  were waiting to arrive to South America for adventure, we were wrong. We decide to hitchhike from Rimavska Sobota to Bratislava, around 400km. We start after 13:00 and after 3 hours of waiting and waving and being waved on, from dozens of Bratislava drivers and ignored by hundreds of Slovaks and almost crossed by two or three, we get our first ride. This was the ride that would guide us for our destiny, unless... yes he was not going to Bratislava and he took us on a very new(to us) way to Bratislava, till a middle point of our destiny. Thank you Mr Volvo it was great you stoped.
Being left in Velky Krtis, we start our second wait for a new ride.  It just taken few minutes and we were on the road again. The next "rider" was a nice person and a "great" car(long time we didn't ride in a 359.000km VW Passat) and he took us for around 60km further and left us... in the middle of nothing, well, nothing is a bit my exaggeration. We were surrounded by a gorgeous nature, beautiful trees, lovely sounds. A lot to walk and no people or villages insight.  It was getting late so we decided to walk until we get a ride, if we would get some. The darkness of the forest made us "monsters" scaring even grown up men of giving us a ride.  After thoughts and plans on where to put our sleeping bags to pass the night and also around 6km later with the night already on, Lukas and Monika (we called them our 1st angels) saved our life's =D. It wouldn`t be a problem to sleep over night in that gorgeous place (as I used to say, brown bear is vegetarian) but we were willing to arrive to Bratislava and meet with friends. Thinking we were deer, this lovely couple stop to help us and.....they were going to Bratislava.
Arriving to Bratislava around 21:00 safe and complete, we head on to meet our beloved friends. Lenuska, Mirusko, Katka and Slavo thanks for a great meal, beer, talks and laughs.
We finally relaxed our bodies and got ready for our next stop - Vienna.

"You don't choose a life. You live one."

Hi =D

This is my first post, nothing very important for now.

I am almost finishing our plan for the Big Trip in South America. Me and Janka will start our trip next week for 3 months (not sure yet, we just bought one way tickets ;D). Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Brasil are the countries we will visit and maybe we will pass by Paraguay (depends on time and budget).

I wanted to make this blog to inform my friends and to inspire people. As my brother said, this will be the beginning of my book. I am not sure if is right or wrong but I will give it a try.