Day 48: La Casa del Arbor (Baños)

3/12/2017

Today we took a taxi up to La Casa del Arbor which means "The Tree House." It's a tree house that someone built up on the hill really close to Tungurahua (the volcano that is 8km south of Baños.) The weather was sort of cloudy, but it's been hit or miss. The "park" area had two zip lines, six rope swings, a balance log over a small pond, and a small restaurant. It was quite lovely, and all for $1/pp. The rope swing was my favorite part, and is what they're known for. The two main ones are attached to the tree house. The lines were a little long, but it was worth the wait. There was even a guy there that pushed everyone. The first time I went, he didn't hold back. I went flying through the air and he spun me around fearlessly. The next guy was a bit more tame though. He didn't push quite as high and was very cautious in spinning people. We were there for a while. People watching, swinging, and I even tried the zip line.

After a few hours at La Casa del Arbor, we decided to move on and hike higher along this ridge to try and see Tungurahua. We headed right out of the park and up the hill. There were no trail markings, so we were just winging it; just going up. As we continued, the trail became less and less of a trail. Definitely something not often used. We passed cow pastures and green houses along the way up. But let me tell you, I've never been so nervous hiking in my life. My dad and I are just alone on this unmarked barely-a-trail in the mountains in Ecuador. I couldn't help thinking about what animals there were out here, what plants are poisonous, if there were snakes  here, if a cow is going to come after us, or maybe a crazy farmer with a gun. Who knows! But my dad was totally cool calm and collected. So I just continued on. And I was very proud of myself because I led most of the way!

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