Howard Johnson Hotel Guayaquil

... journey would take 8 hours, which we were mentally prepared for, but it took 10 in the end! 5 of those hours were spent going south at first (a good sign) then west (not great), then North (definitely the wrong way) and we believed we were on the wrong bus. After 5 hours we had travelled about 130kms, we were west of Quito instead of South and still another 300kms away from Guayaquil. We were so off-piste on the journey that even our trusty guide book doesn’t detail the route we ...

... last night. I needed to escape the noise and especially the mosquitoes that have left me looking like I have acne after I was feasted on during the night. I slept like a log although was awoken once more by the screeching birds. Things didn't improve when I watched a dismal Liverpool performance against Spurs - we definitely won't be winning anything this year based on that tripe!

So, now I'm in Cuenca after a stunning bus journey through the mountains. After this, Peru?

... me up and we took the bus to her apartment. Her and her girlfriend could only offer me a sleeping bag on the floor, but I was so tired that I fell asleep instantly.

Diana was helping organize the local Gay Pride parade so I helped blow up tons and tons of balloons. Though the parade started about an hour late and there were only 10 floats, it was an absolute success. The floats and costumes were ...

... s footprint so as not to interfere with the house next door; and to begin digging 4-foot holes to secure the foundation. This bamboo shelter would become the new home of Bexy, Oscar and their 7-year-old daughter, a small family compared to the others we had met. It would have no running water or electricity and would encompass the size of my living room. But for Bexy and Oscar, it would be a much-welcomed leg up from homelessness ...

... in circles. Later on, we met at a cafe with some other CSers, after which we finally went out to a bar and a club for people to drink and dance, obviously. I was a bit tired and not really in the mood for dancing, so I was glad when we finally got a visit from the cops at the club we were at, where they were asking ...

... and craigslist craigslist prostitute bust escort target customers for fixed menu ...

... it was all really quick. I was however the only gringo on the bus which meant both the guard and the official who also travelled with us were very considerate and made sure everything was fine the whole way through. So after the nightmare stories you hear it was one of the easiest crossings Iīve had. Arrived in Mancora at 5.30 am and found a lovely hostal on the beach which is basic to say the least but i had a lovely sleep this morning before hitting the beach ...

... but after awhile, a bus with its card reading "Quito" came rolling down the street, we flagged it down, jumped on, and finally, our last bus. Now, I know how a REAL bus trip is taken. These people donīt believe in bus stations!

... cruz on by, not even flinching, pretending these people don't even exist. I practically have to get into their life story before I feel confident that our encounter hasn't left me with the reputation as a deadest a$%&hole. Why I care eludes me, and at times keeps me up at night in a deep state of pensiveness.... Walk on by, just walk on by...you can do it.... "Hey there, so good to see you, what are you selling today, I love to buy some but ...

Spent the day in Guayaquil, getting ready to catch my flight to the Galapagos. I had little expectation for Guayaquil, given the reputation for high crime rate and a lack of things to do. However, I was pleasently surprised. The river side broadwalk of Malacon 2000 in downtown was beautiful, was plenty of security all around. Also, the Santa Ana and Las Penas are delightful. The climb up the hill provides a magnificent view of the the entire city of Guayaquil.