Panic
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** Insert: In my haste to upload the lengthy Galapagos post, I completely forgot to mention that we passed the Equator (took obligatory photos) and received the devastating news that Pete has to leave us in Lima. It's a real shame as he has longingly planned this trip for ages (years!) and now must abandon it on its inaugural voyage; oh the joys of being your own boss. Still, he has called in an able replacement, Rogan, who has travelled South America independently before, and has been an Odyssey driver on the Africa, and London to Oz trips, so he comes with a wealth of knowledge and experience. Poor Pete instead gets to deal with an entire group of Ukulele players travelling from Istanbul to Beijing! Hehe, the ribbing he's getting already is merciless. **
Now, back to the trip. Enroute to Banos we had our usual roadside lunch, only this time there was a rickety cable car nearby that swung across a valley and passed over a small waterfall. For a tiny sum a few of us jumped aboard and took a wee spin across.
In Banos I went rafting down the Rio Negro with five others in the group. The rapids were considered 4 pluses, and were much more intense than our lovely 'sedate' trip in Bariloche. The weather was grey and drizzly (what should we expect being in a cloud forest area), the water was very high and two of the rapids were deemed sixes, so we had to jump out of the raft and walk around them. Water was again bloody freezing, and me and Lesley spent a lot of time shivering and had permanent goose-pimpled arms for the two hours. None of us had a camera per se so I've no proper photos of our adventure. Francois however used his GoPro video recorder and has uploaded a short video to Youtube.
Checked out one of the many waterfalls that surround Banos. Was incredibly puffed after climbing back up the steep decline we had to trek down. Am thinking I'll have to hire a pack horse as backup for Machu Picchu, in case I can't get there on my own steam. Will mull it over for another bit yet!
Kirsten caused a major panic by losing her engagement ring somewhere on the camping grounds. Cue a massive search, looking for the proverbial needle in a haystack. Just when we had given up all hope, the ring was discovered in with the egg cartons - don't ask why there, but copious bottles of wine were consumed prior, so they definitely were the cause. Tony has now forever indebted himself to the cockles of Kirsten's heart.
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