Due to the ongoing restrictions we were not permitted to drive today. So instead we hired Orlando to drive us to Baños for the day. He picked us up at 9:30 and off we went. The first order of business was to stop for coffee. Once that was done we headed for “Casa de Arbol,” in English, The Tree House. Simo expressed (repeatedly) displeasure that we were going 20 minutes out of the way for a stupid tree swing! Once we arrived and the boys found $2 beer they at least stopped complaining! Abby, Peyton, Eileen and Annie all gave the swing a try. It was very cool. The swing is situated so that it flies out over the drop off to the valley. Unfortunately it was cloudy so the pictures don't do it justice!
Next stop was el Paillon de Diablo; a huge waterfall. It was unbelievable! After a lengthy hike we suddenly arrived at the waterfall and we were blown away. Almost literally! We hiked right into the falls including navigating a very tight crevice in the rock that required being on hands and knees to get through; it was also unbelievable. Make sure you watch the videos!
By the time we left the falls we were absolutely drenched. Couldn't have been any wetter if we had gone swimming! So we wrapped up our day with a visit to the thermal baths that made Baños famous. There is a series of ever hotter mineral water baths that you soak in. Other than looking completely ridiculous in the mandatory caps and startling the locals with our Casper the Ghost tans, it was great fun. Orlando had a happy, wet and tired group for the ride back to Riobamba!
More to come
Thank God you finally posted! I was beginning to worry until I saw Abby's photo on Insta. and realized you are safe and sound (?).
ReplyDeleteThe waterfall is outrageous! How incredibly cool to experience. Looks like you should have brought your laundry and a bottle of Tide along.