hannah

hi there,
well its been a few days since the last post - surprisingly, no internet in the jungle! it seems to be everywhere else though. Anyway, since then, weve arrived in Baños, a fantastic town surrounded by luscious green mountains including a looming active volcano. Hot baths and waterfalls here, which I can definately handle for a few days. Anyway, we pretty much headed straight into the jungle joining a tour for 3 days with 5 other people (some nice, some irritating). We stayed in wooden huts with thatched roofs under mosquito nets near the river, really quite civilised! The second night I woke up with a view right over the trees - sooo lovely. We did a few walks through the jungle and mud ending up at the most fantastic waterfalls with swimming holes. Quite a relief as it was really hot and humid. It was the best feeling diving under the falling water with rainbows and ferns all around! On one you could stand in a little cave behind the falling water and look out - very cool. Our guide taught us all about the medicinal plants (which he used on one of the group who was sick) and the various nasty mosquitos such as the ones who lay their larvae under your skin. mmmmmm! The mozzies werent that bad though, so hopefully no malaria! We saw the best butterflies, some as big as your hand and bright blue. I really didn't want to come back to the town though, I really loved it there - it was so beautiful and relaxed. But, must move on, things to see and do!
Back in Baños, theres some lovely little food places - almost melbourne like cafes. One shows movies each night which you can watch over dinner - tonight its Casablanca. yay!
We are heading to Riobamba tomorrow to catch the Devils nose railway - sounds good huh! you ride on the top for 5 hours! Until then, hope all are well and i'll chat soon.
H XOXO

heloooo
the fiesta yesterday consisted of a parade with people dancing and big men carrying huge smoked pigs on their backs with alcohol and cigarettes attatched. Was pretty cool. everyone was very drunk. not us though!
So today was such a picture postcard day. herds of llamas carrying straw, young girls in traditional costume doing their homework in the grass, the sound of panpipes carrying on the breeze. hmmmmm this is the life.
We visited Laguna Quilotoa a most impressive volcanic lake up too high for the steep walk that was involved (my poor lungs)! Pretty spectacular though and the rural surroundings were really interesting, a side of ecuador we hadnt yet seen. It was just like the pictures in the books - which made for many 'ooh ooh ooh un fotagrafia por favor!' shouts to the driver. We had one of the group chasing a herd of sheep and llamas with Rhiannons camera as she took quite a liking to these animals. Unlike the cats. In the little hut/restaurant we had lunch in I found the cutest kitten which fell fast asleep in my lap after eating some ham out of my sandwich. soooo cute, yet somehow Rhiannon was still unimpressed!
So we're off to Baños tomorrow, from where we will venture into the jungle. mmmm malaria!
I hope all are well. keep the emails coming - I love it.
love H

hello again,
so, we've moved on from Quito, which I must admit is a relief. The pollution there is so full on, you dont even feel like going for a walk - its all a bit much of an effort. we're now in Latacunga, a lovely little town South of Quito with grand old buildings and cobbled streets around pristine gardens. Thats just the centre of town of course - it too is a bit rough around the edges.
Rhiannon and I are keeping very busy. Today we climbed up Cotopaxi, a volcano of about 4800metres. Quite an achievement considering the altitude and horizontal snow! unfortunately we didnt actually see the volcano because of the weather, but postcards indicate it is quite impressive! I'm pretty sure we were standing on a glaciar at one stage! We got a guide for this trip as you need to go in a 4WD up to a certain point, we had him for 7 hours and it cost us $40! ridiculous! He was so lovely - sticking our poor freezing hands under his jacket to warm them up. It was soooo cold!
There is a Fiesta on here for the next 2 days which should be great - a contrast to the kilometre long funeral prosession we just saw.
Basically we're having fun - its great to be moving around, seeing new things.
There should be regular updates over the next few days as we're in town for a little while.
Love to all
H

just wanting to try out the title field. remember that you can just leave it blank.
Hey everyone remember that the times shown for each post are Melbourne time.

went to the northern hemisphere today. Caught the bus up to Otovalo, a small town with a massive saturday market. All the indigenous people from all around come to this town and set up stalls, selling their crafty, foody, animaly goods. The craft section is pretty touristy, which is understandable, cos we're the only ones who want the jewelry, chess sets and alpaca scarves! Very cheap though, and bargaining was fun - lots of pressies for everyone! The animal section however, was for the locals, with pigs, dogs, guinea pigs, roosters and chicks. I got a bit upset when I saw a bag full of kittens though, poor things. I stood at least a foot above everyone else - saves me from feeling lost in the crowd!
Its good to be exploring beyond Quito now, looking forward to going south to Latacunga tomorrow where theres a big fiesta for a couple of days. dancing, music, fireworks yay!
So, hope all are well
H

yo yo,
still studying.
my host mum here is trying to find somewhere for me to eat guinea pig. Not for rhiannon the vego though.
All is well. Beginning our travels throughout ecuador this saturday, so there'll be more news soon

I bought 2 bunches of the most perfect longstem roses for $3. got very excited!
not doing much at the moment just studying spanish like crazy trying to keep up with the intensive classes.
I think we're finally on top of the bus system here. look at the many words on the front, see if one is similar to where you want to go. if so stick your arm out (doesnt matter where on the street you are) and let the guy hanging out the door help you on while the bus is practically still moving. to get off say gracias and the bus will stop right there and then. not bad really.
I've got very dirty feet
hasta mañana
hannah

thanks bonnie, just rub in just how much spanish I dont know!!
Well hello everyone. We're now in Quito, Ecuador staying with a local lady and doing an intensive spanish school for one week. Feels like forever since we were in melbourne.
After Santiago we flew to Quito where we were supposed to be met by someone at the airport. 9 oclock at nightand noone is there, no information, no payphones which are connected. Some 'friendly' men came up to us and offered their mobile so we could call our contact who said we should take a taxi. 'Im a taxi driver' one of the men said surprise surprise and escorted us to a very non taxi looking car. although seemingly trustworthy, we werent really in the mood for shananigans so we told him we didnt want his taxi we wanted a yellow one . of course they had a friend down the road with a yellow taxi and eventually we got to our hotel. I guess this shows how friendly and helpful the people here are, yet how wary we are as travellers. A shame really, but the locals keep warning us of the dangers aswell, so you never know.
Quito is a crazy city, buses everywhere and noone really knows where theyre going. Its ok though if you catch the wrong one cos they only cost 25 cents. the old city is beautiful with the colonial architecture and impressive churches. youll see the photos!
Generally ive been feeling abit overwhelmed. Got really emotional yesterday knowing what an amazing experience this is and knowing I could cope, but also not feeling like I really want to. Everything is that much harder here which I know most people would see as a great challenge but its hard when you miss particular people at home! Im looking forward to being on the road throughout ecuador and peru - keeping busy and sensory overload is good.
I miss home lots but im getting used to it here - just a big adjustment. And Im already sick of bread! look forward to speaking better spanish.
hope all are well
will post soon
love Hannah

Hey there I have changed the look again. Time to promote your site!
You guys, you guys are living in the past.

Hello...
we´re here!!!
After a long and very uncomfortable flight, and a bus trip from the airport where we only had one near crash, we´ve made it to Santiago, Chile. The language thing is fun, looking forward to getting better soon.
Lots of friendly people so far and cheap cheap cheap!!
the bus cost $2 and a bottle of water was about .50c.
We´re staying is quite a luxurious hotel called Turismo Tokyo. Lovely and cosy with hot water and cable TV - trouble.
We´ve gone out for a wander this afternoon so we dont sleep as its is only yestarday afternoon!
We´re off to Quito tomorrow to start the language school, so speak soon
Love H

ok, so leaving tomorrow morning. pretty freaky - very exciting. not packed yet but I've cleaned the fish tank so everything is under control...
next post - Quito, Equador

Thanks Michael. this is rad

Actually I'm leaving on friday morning 9.35. Heading off with Rhiannon to New Zealand and then off to Santiago in Chile

you think Hannah is ever going to update so often?

Look at Jackie's holiday snaps

fool

Are you ready for hannah to start posting?
this ought to be good
the best thing since pox

Just trying the new layout

another post from boring old michael.
Who cares what he does
I like mediawatch

First post by michael
Hannah is leaving on thursday.