My uncle (a certified city boy) couldn't understand why the gringos love Baños, Ecuador and didn't recommend going there. Fortunately my cousin (Felipe), who knew his customers, took us there for 2 days anyway. PERFECT! Culture! Volcanic eruptions! Excitement! Peaceful and powerful water falls! Night life with salsa bars, dancing and bad karaoke! Food -- local/tipico and vegetarian! and internet bars! WOOT.

My last day in Baños I woke up very early (along with the bunnies that ran free around the hotel grounds) to catch a glimpse of the waterfall at sunrise I had heard the waterfall all night and had gazed at it under a full moon the night before, so I wanted to be the first to greet my soothing friend. It was one of the most perfect mornings of my life.