Ecuador

My adventure began at 10:30 AM from Brussels with a long journey to Guayaquil, including stops in Amsterdam and Panama. After landing at 20:30 local time, exhaustion mixed with excitement took over. I spent the night in Guayaquil resting, though jet lag had other plans sleeping only until 5-6 AM after drifting off at 2 AM.

Welcome to the whale watching capital of Ecuador! This charming coastal town is the gateway to unforgettable marine experiences. I booked a tour to Isla de la Plata where I witnessed humpback whales, sea turtles, and colorful seabirds in their natural habitat. The local seafood is incredible, and the relaxed atmosphere is perfect for unwinding. Also we had a friend swimming with us, an mantaray.

An 8+ hour scenic drive took me from the coast to the mountains. The landscape transformation was dramatic, starting at sea level and climbing through misty highlands to over 3,800 meters elevation at Cajas National Park. When you get out to make a small walk in cajas you really feel that you're quite high, especially if you come from sea level. I don't have to explain that the drive towards cuenca was just magic.

I spent around 10 days in this city, while i was there i was lucky to stay with a family from cuenca. The main reason we were here was because of the Doble Via project in collaboration with the university Politecnica Salesiana. We worked on 'games' to entertain the children from for example casa de los ninos. Also we gifted some money and worked on the project on the university in collaboration with the students from Cuenca. Those 10 days were really and experience with 'locals' which made it a lot nicer. We did some basic tourist things over there, like the touristic bus to see the city for example. There was also a local makret with things that are handmade, and there they had really cool things. You have some crazy nature close to cuenca (for example cajas) that's worth visiting. We also went 1 hour When we were there they were also celebrating 'Corpus Christi' which gave even more live in the city.

Someone we know from there had an house in La union, it's a place at 1 hour and half drive (i think) from cuenca. The drive to there was again (like always) crazy. We did an BBQ there and enjoyed some of the views & took a swim. I also slept under the starts because that was meant to be.

A day trip from Cuenca to the cajas was really nice. An intense hike but with crazy raw nature. The thin air made every hike harder, but the views were worth every breathless step. Also we did go eat at a local place at the Cajas. In Ecuador they love beans but i don't so i always left the beans but they eat it with everything.

The journey toward the gates of the Amazon brought me through misty mountains and increasingly lush landscapes. After 8-10 hours of driving through tropical terrain, I finally arrived at Baños. The drive was really long so you have to stick it out :q (be aware that there are lots of bends). But like every drive here the landscape was amazing, and also Banos is a nice place where you can do a lot.

This adventure town lives up to its reputation. Surrounded by rainforest and countless waterfalls, Baños offers non-stop outdoor activities. I hiked to massive cascades, explored pristine jungle scenery, and participated in canyoning and ziplining experiences. Also we explored a little bit the city of Banos and used a 'party bus' where you are deaf if you come out.

Nothing quite prepares you for the Amazon. A guided tour introduced me to incredible wildlife, vibrant birds, curious animals, and indigenous communities. Swimming in the Amazon River was surreal, and even encountering tarantulas in the lodge made for unforgettable stories. Sometimes you see swinging a monkey through the trees which is also really cool. Also the sound at night of the animals is really an vibe.

The journey to Ecuador's highest mountain region was intense and rewarding. Hiking above 5,000 meters left me breathless, both from the altitude and the stunning panoramic views. Standing beneath Chimborazo, I felt humbled by nature's grandeur. To do the summit you need a lot more time and also a lot more experience but i think that's something on another level, but still probably one of the coolest things you will ever do in you're live. We stayed in an Ecolodge with view on the Chimborazo. It was also really nice that we had a dog from the stay that followed us everywhere we go in the city. Which was really cool, i was confused until they said that she follows us everywhere we go. Never seen it before but very cozy. We also did go to Riobamba but there was nothing to special about the city.

A final 5-hour drive brought me back to Guayaquil. My KLM flight departed at 18:15, arriving in Amsterdam at 12:45 the next day. After 21 unforgettable days, I returned home with lots of memories. I will be back, especially south-america is really nice. I still have to explore Asia but South-America is goated. Next time i will be better in Spanish :)