Ecuador, more than just a kayaker's dream

Well, as much as I hate to admit it, Ecuador does offer quite a lot to the visitor besides kayaking.



My parents are here right now so they are "forcing" me to take time off the rivers and do a little dry land exploring, and you know, there are some damn cool things to see!



(Don't worry, I know we are all kayakers here, so I've included some good whitewater shots as well. So, please, read on...).



Above is a photo of the volcano Antisana, 5,704 meters (about 18,253 feet), and the headwaters of the Quijos River (the really kick ass river that our lodge is based on http://www.smallworldadventures.com/lodge.html).


This here is the Quijos River, born from the snows of Antisana (the volcano above).

mmmmm....good whitewater!

Veggie market in Gualaceo near Cuenca in the southern highlands. If only we had a "farmers market" like this in my town back in the US, I would eat very well.

Yep, in case you were wondering what exactly you were looking at, those ARE guinea pigs on a stick. A delicacy here in Ecuador. I think those are bigger than the ones I had as pets when I was a kid.

Ah, more kayaking. Rio Papallacta.

Ladies selling grain and beans in a local market.

One of the many, many, many nice churches in Cuenca.

Oh, and besides nice churches, Ecuador has some great geology as well. This band of rock extends all the way across the river. The river has cut most of it away (if I had to guess, this river probably flows at an average of 4,000 cfs--sometimes it's 1,000, sometimes it 40,000--but either way, it's powerful. And, it's makes for a nice stern squirting and bow stalling area.

The volcano Chimborazo as seen from the air. This is the tallest mountain in Ecuador at 6,310 meters (roughly 20, 140 feet), and is the furthest point from the center of the earth due to the earth's equatorial bulge.

More kayaking, cause it's fun!

And more

Check in next week for a trip report from our new Rios Escondidos.

www.smallworldadventures.com