Category: travel

Baños: Ecuador’s Adventure Capital

On By Rick McIn cycling, hiking, travelLeave a comment

Baños de Agua Santa (Baños) is a small mountain town in the cloud forest, initially unimpressive.

But it’s the nation’s gateway to the Amazon. And legitimately touted the Adventure Capital of Ecuador. Activities similar to what you are offered in New Zealand, but for 20% of the cost. Or less. (MIGHT be some compromises on safety and liability, however. 😀)

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

I came for the hiking and cycling. And for altitude acclimatization. It’s at 1,820 metres (5,971 feet). Next stop for me is Kilimanjaro.

Tour guides tout rafting, kayaking, canyoning, bridge jumping, and horseback riding.

BEST for me was the 25km downhill cycling “Ruta de las Cascadas” (Waterfall Route). Rent a bike for $7-10 / day. They hand you a map. And GO.

En route I stopped for a stand-up zip line over Cascada de Agoyán. $2.

And a seated zip-line.

Returned on foot by a LONG Tibetan Bridge over 170 metres high. Cost for both was $25.

On the cycling route, BEST for sure is Pailón del Diablo (Cauldron of the Devil), Ecuador’s largest waterfall.

You can access the Falls from either side of the river. The short route, originating from Río Verde, includes more views and shows nearby San Miguel Waterfall.

I took the longer, wetter route because it includes dramatic staircases, tunnel Grieta al Cielo (Crack to Heaven) where you crawl hands & knees, and a chance to get behind the Falls.

Across from the parking lot, I enjoyed an excellent enchilada. Fried trout is a popular dish here, as well.

A taxi will take you and your bike back to town for about $10. I lifted my bike on the local bus for a $1 ride back to GeoTours, which looked to be the best bike rental spot. They’ve been in business since 1991.

Of course I did a lot of steep day hiking, as well. You can climb in every direction up to more tourist attractions. Most interesting for me was a challenging, overgrown walk to pretty La Casa del Arbol.

Everywhere has installed swings that fly you over a cliff edge. I tried a few.

I was happy to find the city bus ending a route here. 😀 It got me back to town for $1,

I finally tried one of these set-ups where your phone spins around.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

I stayed 3 nights at a fairly dirty hostel in town. 😀

Then moved on up to pretty Mama Tangu about 5km outside of the centre.

One disappointment was famed and popular hot-springs Termas de la Virgen. Not nearly clean enough for me. And you’re required to wear a hideous bathing cap, something I’d never seen before around the world. Not recommended.

Baños itself is must see. The tourist destination in the nation after Quito.

In October 1999, all 17,000+ residents were forced to evacuate Baños for weeks. Tungurahua volcano was active.

Visiting Quito, Ecuador

On By Rick McIn hiking, travel1 Comment

At 2850m, scenic Quito is second only to La Paz as the world’s highest capital city.

I’m in Ecuador for hiking, cycling, and climbing — to train and (possibly) acclimatize for Kilimanjaro which is my next destination.

The 17th-century ‘Old Town’ was the 1st city to be granted UNESCO World Heritage status.

First up was an excellent walking tour.

I like the city best at night. It’s evocative.

The people here are mostly devout Catholics.

Around every corner you’ll find something interesting. Or funky.

Cobblestone street of La Ronda

Like many cities in South America, the street art is a highlight.

I stayed in the best hostel in town ➙ Secret Garden. Fantastic rooftop vistas over the old city.

In the crowded mountain valley, there are a surprising number of large parks.

I was impressed by the very modern airport and subway system. … Isn’t this an earthquake zone?

I only had 3 days in Quito to start. But I’ll be back as this is the best jumping off point for high altitude hiking.

Quito, Ecuador, Free Walking Tour

On By Rick McIn food, travel1 Comment

First morning on arrival in Quito I signed up for a ‘free’ (for tips) walking tour of the first UNESCO world heritage listed city (1978).

My hostel runs one of the best 365 days / year. Excellent tour guides who end up well remunerated.

The most important cathedrals.

Some museums.

Advice on local foods and attractions. Chocolate tasting.

Even the Popemobile.

It gives a terrific introduction to how to navigate a new city.

We were warned not to hike up to the Virgin Mary as tourists have been robbed.

Finally, tips on traditional dress. 😀

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.


Visiting Friends in Miami

On By Rick McIn friends, photos, travelLeave a comment

Tam and Les have been living in posh Brickell, Miami, for the past 4 years.

Densely populated already, many more high towers are under construction.

I’d been promising Tam for those 4 years I’d come visit. 😀 Finally made it.

Brickell is a financial / business district. Les walks to work.

Many call Miami the Capital of South America as there are so many Spanish speaking expats here.

Plenty of restaurants. Swanky bars. Shopping malls.

I love their funky lobby.

This was the grand opening of their residential tower shop. Gourmet Italian pastries.

One night Les treated for a fine Argentinian steak with Malbec wine.

They live on the 37th floor of a tower with ocean views. For fitness, I ran up and down 132 stories one day.

Even tougher, was doing YOGA with Tam. (Actually, I quite enjoyed those sessions.)

Hot tub night. And we had a pool day.

Tam and I toured the local beaches — though it was very cold and windy for Miami.

My last night Tam and I did a free Apple photography night walking tour. And learned a lot.

Thanks for hosting.

I have stayed in Miami before. But only on touristy South Beach.

My NEW Drone is the DJI Neo 1

On By Rick McIn photos, travel, videoLeave a comment

Sadly, my expensive DJI Mini 4 Pro is no more. It’s back somewhere in S.E. Asia.

As a replacement, I bought last year’s model (discounted) of the DJI Neo.

Neo (left) and Mini 4 Pro (right)
  • cost as I post CAD $209
  • much less expensive than the Mini 4 Pro
  • more durable
  • 4K/30fps only
  • no obstacle avoidance
  • Super lightweight (135g)
  • faster to launch. No satellites needed.
  • can be used indoors safely

The Mini 4 Pro was a huge commitment for travel. Neo 1 is a fraction of the size, weight, and bulk. I’ll shoot more video in more places with what I call a …

Toy Drone

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Rick’s Travels in 2026 ⛰

On By Rick McIn cycling, hiking, travel1 Comment

So far — I’m planning to keep traveling in the new year.

I start Kilimanjaro on Feb. 14, 2026.

To train and gain some altitude acclimatization, I’ll be in Ecuador above 3000m for some weeks prior.

I have flights booked through to Kenya. And will be deciding my East Africa itinerary from there.

Then most likely to Dubai. And Oman for hiking and cycling.

Then back to Calgary for some spring skiing.

After that …

… living every day as if it’s my last. 😀

Christmas – La Quinta, California

On By Rick McIn food, McCharles family, travelLeave a comment

I’d celebrated Christmas with my parents all but two years of my life.

But with both Mom and Dad gone in 2025, joined my brother Rob and his wife Yvonne for the Yule in La Quinta, California. This was their 4th winter renting a beautiful place from Canadian friends.

Loved it!

The Mediterranean climate is perfect for year round cycling and hiking.

YES it’s a bit odd celebrating the traditional Great White North Christmas in a town at 20C.

The municipal park is nicely decorated for the holidays. We walked Charlie there once or twice a day.

Highlight for me was FREE COFFEE at City Hall !

This is ME awaiting my next free Latte. 😀

Actually the grub was pretty good at home with Rob doing much of the cooking and kitchen clean-up.

Breakfast

We only ate at a restaurant one time. Home cooking is the rule.

When we wanted an orange, we picked one off the tree in the back yard.

I spent a fair bit of time at the library.

La Quinta place names are mostly Spanish. There’s much recognition of the sacrifices of military. And the First Nations.

We had a hot tub about every second night.

California should probably just become the 11th Canadian Province. 😀

Consider me won over to the snowbird annual vacation.

We’ve also scheduled Christmas dinner for January 11th in Calgary.

Love the Mediterranean Climate

On By Rick McIn cycling, hiking, travelLeave a comment

December in Southern California is perfect weather for me.

Sunny and dry. Not too hot. No humidity.

La Quinta Cove, California

Here’s where a Canadian snowbird wants to spend part of the winter.

Mediterranean climates typically offer 250 to over 320 sunny days per year.

Shorts and t-shirt every day. ☀️

The main cause of Mediterranean, or dry summer, climate is the subtropical ridge, which extends towards the pole of the hemisphere in question during the summer and migrates towards the equator during the winter. …

Areas with this climate are also where the so-called “Mediterranean trinity” of major agricultural crops have traditionally been successfully grown (wheat, grapes and olives). As a result, these regions are notable for their high-quality wines, grapeseed/olive oils, and bread products.

… Because most regions with a Mediterranean climate are near large bodies of water, temperatures are generally moderate, with a comparatively small range of temperatures between the winter low and summer high.

Southern California is a great place to visit …