After a great nights sleep, we had a hearty breakfast at the lodge and then headed out. We canoed down the Rio Napo, a river that feeds into the Amazon river, to a wildlife rescue centre called Amazoonica for injured animals of the amazon. There were wooly monkeys roaming free, and you had to hold onto your bags as they were notorious for stealing your stuff while you weren't looking. One was called Ester and she watched us the entire tour. She tried nicking som...

An early start today, leaving Quito at 6am to catch the bus. Shirley and i went out on the town last night so i was a little tired this morning! We went to a bar called the Scotland Yard in search of the rare 'english speaking' species, but we couldnt find a soul. So we decided to do a wee bit of break dancing, well Shirley did and I watched in awe, and then walked around the main square to check out how the Ecuadorian people party. It was sad leaving Quito, I've...

Today saw us getting up early to visit the local farmers market, a tradition that has been carried on for over 400 years here in Otavalo. I must admit, when I found out we were going to a farmers market I wasn't that interested. But holy hell when I got there it was nothing like I imagined, nothing can prepare you for it. There were animals for sale everywhere, llamas, pigs, ducklings, chickens, cows, horses, cats, dogs, guinea pigs, rabbits...every domesticated ...

Today saw us getting up fairly early to get on a 2 hour bus up to Otavalo, a small town of indigenous Ecuadorians and some sweet markets. The drive was amazing with views of Imbabura volcano. We then checked into Hotel El Indio and met a local man called Washington who took us around his home town. He was a real character, and within two minutes of meeting him, he told us about his history as a cocaine addict and dealer. He now works at narcotics anonymous and h...

After a long night spent awake with my old friend toilet (never ever eat salad), I went to a cafe just around the corner from my hostel for a tasty omelette and a cappuccino con leche. My hostel manager hooked me up with his taxi driver friend Luis who looked like Luigi from super mario brothers to drive me around Quito for 3 hours for only $40. He took me up to the Pululahua volcanic crater (see photo album) and told me all about it's history. During the month...