Hiking above Papallacta~ Ecuador 2/12

Taking a short hike up into the narrowing valley above the hot springs, everywhere the earth is overflowing with lush and flowering life!

Papallacta village... just down the road from the Termas...

A local woman, going about her morning business.

There was only space for us for one night at the Resort, so for the 2nd night we moved next door to a small guesthouse. It was only a 2 minute walk to the public baths at Termas, and as we were the only guests at this guesthouse they filled their private pool up just for us! Dreamy!

Our new friend for a few days!

Papallacta Birthday ~ Andes mountains, Ecuador 2/12

Reflecting on my 37th birthday.

Mist-ical mountain valley.

A rare shaft of sunlight. I think this is the valley where clouds are actually born!

Birthday dinner of Quinoa Casserole! I love eating quinoa in it's homeland of the Andes! Ancient food  sustaining people in the same way for many thousands of years! This dish was simply amazing... among the most delicious meals I've ever had! The resort has a very nice restaurant where they serve a great variety of unbelievably good food, including serving the trout(trucha) that is farmed right here in this small, narrow, high altitude, and pristine mountain valley.  

Termas de Papallacta ~ Mas fotos! Andes mountains, Ecuador 2/12

Big Beautiful Brugmansia by our cottage!

Our pool.

Another adjacent cottage/pool courtyard. Such steep and lush surroundings! I loved the grass and moss growing on the rooftops!

Termas de Papallacta~Hot Springs Resort ~ Andes mountains, Ecuador 2/12

Our first international adventure together was to Ecuador in 1999. On that trip we visited Papallacta Thermal Baths twice! It has lived on, etched in my mind, as a sort of paradise on Earth for me. Realizing that we would be in Ecuador for my birthday this year, we decided to spend a few days up at the Springs. We were lucky enough to find a room at the resort itself on the actual night of my birthday! Here you get access to the lovely public pools, as well as your own private hot pool directly in front of your room! Best Birthday Ever!!!!!! And, YES... the place truly was a paradise, as grand in reality as it had been in my dreams!

Our private pool just in front of our room.

Fish in the main pool within the Hot Springs public pools.

Our porch.

Making the most out of our own private hot pool! Through rain or sun, these waters, and the incredible lush volcanic valley they burble up in, will make you feel so good! Soaking in these pools produces a state of relaxation and peacefulness I haven't felt any place else before!

Birthday trip to Termas de Papallacta, Ecuador ~ my favorite spot on Earth! 2/12

Sprung for a cab ride out to Papallacta Hot Springs! 2 hours from Quito, it was a fairly hefty fare, but, hey! It was my birthday!

Mountain scenery from the drive up, up, up to Papallacta! 

Old Town Quito~ 2/12

On the Plaza Grande, with the Palacio del Gobierno to my left and the Cathedral del Quito behind.

People on the steps of the Cathedral del Quito.

Basilica del Voto Nacional~Quito, Ecuador 2/12

We came across this massive cathedral while on a walkabout in Old Town on our first day in Quito.

The main entrance. Complete with climbable clock towers!

Admiring some weavings being sold streetside.

Looking South over the rooftops of Old Quito, from the top of the southern clock tower! 

A view of El Panecillo, the ever-present small hill just South of Old Town. Topped by the watchful gaze of La Virgen de Quito, one of the cities major landmarks.

It's hard to tell in these photos, but in place of gargoyles, this church is adorned  by a large number of animals from all over Ecuador. Turtles, iguanas and crocodiles... oh my!

What time do you WANT it to be?

(Thanks for this photo Heath Hilary)

Sasquatch Festival 2012 at The Gorge, WA Kickin' it with The Squatch!

Kickin it with The Squatch!

Tenacious D takes the stage at sunset! Why, yes, that IS  a blow-up phoenix behind them!

We come for the music, we return year after year for the scenery! The Columbia River Gorge is the best backdrop I've ever seen!

Jack Black crowd sighting! So close you could sense his star power! He looked pretty much just like he does when he plays that one character, you know.... Jack Black.

Livin, lovin, laughin (OK, smirking) at The Sasquatch Festival 2012!

Feast ya'lls eyes on THIS!

Hello friends! Welcome back! It's been awhile... about three years actually. I've had a few adventures and travels since my last post, so without furthur ado.... Let's start things off nice and mellow with some Amazonian food porn!
 Here I am having a small snack in Coca, Ecuador March 2012. Coca sits on the edge of the Amazon region and the local street food reflects that! These grubs only come into season a few times a year and are quite popular during those times. Grubs are high in protein, easy to find and gather when it's time, and can be eaten raw if necessary. Jungle folk really love them! There was a throng of people waiting for these to come off the grill. Marinaded live in a sweet and spicy sauce, then skewered and grilled while you wait. I only ate one, to be honest, but my friend ate all 4 of the rest! Shall I describe it? You had to first bite the head off and spit it out, as it is too hard too eat, made out of a beak-like tissue. As soon as you take that bite, the warm gooey grub juice begins to ooze out and you have no choice but to pop the whole thing into your mouth at once and chew, chew, chew... quickly without thinking too hard about WHAT you are chewing. It wasn't a BAD flavor, but not great either. As a food of necessity, I would be fine with eating this, but with any other protein choice on my horizon, I would NOT want to eat a grub again, ever,  for the record! A curious thing about the grub is that it left my tongue and mouth tingling a bit for about 30 minutes. Just thought I'd share!
Much more fun to come...

Volcanic view point...

The observation tower at the research center, off limits to the public, unfortunately! On the edge of the crater, so as to keep a close eye on any changes in activity. There was certainly plenty of activity to observe the day we were there!!

A volcanic warning!!

Parts of the road around the rim of the crater was actually closed while we were there due to the presence of toxic gas. This was an awesome day! Witnessing the power of the volcano was something i will never forget!

Madam Pele strikes no fear in the heart of THIS guy!

Fish... not impressed by the power of ancient Hawaiian myths!

Gearing up at the Scuba Shack...

getting our gear sized and fitted at the shop before heading out on the boat for our big Discover Scuba day! I am already laughing.... because this "class" was a joke! Despite the instructors lack of concern, it was still a good learning experience. And I got some super sweet snorkeling out of the deal!! But a big "ARGHHHH! Avast ye salty dogs!!!" goes out to Jay and Capt. Dennis for being WACK!!

Lessons on the boat?!?

Capt. Dennis decides to give the dive instruction quiz on the high seas. Really?!? Asking people to focus on words and charts while they're bobbing on rolling waves is asking for sea-sick trouble!! Believe me! These dang lessons should have been given on land!!

This ain't Sea World, it's as real as it gets...

Ready to test the "calm waters" off the Kona Coast! Brave Treva was the first to jump in!!

Lava flow from the dive-boat

The classic lava-flow coast line that makes up much of the Big Island.