The Countdown!

It's been a year and a half since I've been home, but June 1st is just around the corner.  Here are a few of the things that keep me up at night with anticipation.  Check it out:

No explenation needed

Great friends with amazing skills!

Kid's with super powers

And of course, family

Only 27 more sleeps!

Vilcabamba, Ecuador

Last weekend we spent our spring break in the mountains of Vilcabamba.  Life in this little city is very laid back and relaxing.  We spent our days hiking, horseback riding, reading, eating, chatting with other tourists, playing cards and laughing.  This city quickly moved into the favorites of Ecuador as the locals and scenery were wonderful.  Check it out:  

One of our morning activities was a 4 hr horse ride into the steep mountains and up to a waterfall.  Once our guides found out we were from Idaho, they called us the Banditos and expected us to be naturals on our horses.  Naturals we were not, especially on the ridge line with drop off's on both sides, but as we grew more comfortable, we were leading the group of running horses down the country roads on the way back.  To be honest, this was due to the fact that our horses took our frightened death grip of the reins and our tense legs wrapped around their belly's to mean we were ready to hold on for a wild ride.  Yep, I was puckered up.  Yee-ha! 

Every afternoon we sat on our veranda reading, laughing and enjoying the view.

Good Friday activities in the main square.

Gator Eatin'

After a month of searching for the alligator that snatched Christian's camera and pinkie finger, the alligator was caught and the photos have been recovered.  It was too late for the pinkie.  Check it out:

If you look closely at this alligator soup, you'll find some tail, an eye and if you squint hard enough, Christian's pinkie.  Tasty.

SSSSSSSSSSSSScary!  You can tell this guy had recently eaten..........maybe Gator Soup?

Alandaluz

Last weekend D and I headed out to the coast for a Reading Marathon at Alandaluz, an Eco resort on the beach.  We spent the day's testing various hammocks, reading, eating locally grown, organic food, taking walks on the beach and spotting Nun's.  Check it out:

If you zoom in on the above photo, you too can spot a couple Nun's.  Don't give up, they're very short.

Living the good life

Big Titty......

......Coffee, an imported luxury.  Check it out:

There's no better way to start the day than with an overflowing cup of Big Titty Coffee and the daily news.

Bird Down!

The other morning while eating breakfast, there was a big "thud" at the window which resulted with me in the fetal position, holding my bowl of cereal.  Check it out:

Let this be a lesson to all other birds in the hood to not mess with me and my corn flakes!

Banos, Ecuador: Round 4

What do you do after your Amazon tour where you have held a alligator, eaten piranha and spent the night with a drunken Shaman?  Easy choice........you take the red eye bus to Banos and keep the adventures coming.  With 4 days left of vacation, that's exactly what Christian and I did.  Check it out:

After having cow stomach and rice for breakfast, which does not fall anywhere near the descriptive word, "tasty", we spent the morning hiking up the mountain side for this view of Banos, below.  We then rented a go cart for the afternoon and drove around on the back country roads.  Yes, in the picture above, that is Christian driving without his helmet buckled and rocking out on his ipod.  Safety first does not apply to two guys traveling during Carnival.  Note to future go cart renter's: be sure the headlights work before entering long, dark tunnels with cars coming the opposite way who think it is safe to pass because they don't see any oncoming traffic.  I'm pretty sure I saw angel's with golden trumpet's.   

The next day was spent taking a mountain bike tour of the area's many waterfall's.

Another great trip in the books.