Empty Nesters on a Green Global Trek

Part of the fun in travelling is that you never know whether your investment in time, money and effort is worth it until you get there. In this case, the logistics involved a series of buses, very comfortable, but barreling at high speeds through mountainous curves overlooking lakes. Our destination is “Papallacta” and all we know about it is that it is high in the mountain range and has been developed over many years into a destination for thermal baths.

In this case of travel roulette, we struck gold. Arriving at the “Termas”, we need to find a hotel. We decide to splurge ($125) by checking in at the most upscale hotel, due to its location directly in front of the Termas. The hotel and thermal pools are nestled in lush mountains . At the Termas, the pools of hot water are shallow, organic shaped and surrounded by rocks and exotic tropical flowers. Most importantly, each pool has a direct spout of volcanic hot water that runs 24 hours/day and contains minerals that have health benefits of all sorts. The “game” is to migrate from one pool to the other, to vary the heat of the water. Peta, of course, braves the hottest pool, alternating with the ice cold pool of glacier water. One pool of particular interest is situated right next to the raging river of ice cold water. This thermal destination is truly magical.

The hotel is beautifully designed. There are wooden walkways everywhere and directly in front of each cluster of rooms, there are 4 or 5 steaming pools that one literally steps into. Late at night, and early in the morning, the cold air triggers a cloud of steam that emanates from the hot water. If one sits, lies or floats in the water, one can see mountains all around. But wait, there is more…

This is a high end “spa”. That means that we get a two page menu of all the massage services offered. Peta is tempted to go for the “chocolate wrap”, but opts for a foot reflexology treatment. That was the first massage. But for the $30 price, we can’t leave it at that and book another set of massages for the next day. The combination of the lithium infused water and expert massage makes for the ultimate in relaxation for our last day in Ecuador.

Peta can’t get enough of the hot waters and returns to the thermal baths over and over again. Hot water, very hot water, on “tap”, al fresco under the night sky is an experience we won’t forget.

There is just a bit of time left before we make our way back to Quito for a hike in the ecological reserve. The path takes us past a family of llamas grazing peacefully. Actually they are not “llamas” but “Vicunas” which are the species in the llama family that yields the softest of fur. Baby vicuna with fur like a puppy and big dark eyes sparks a discussion as to whether vicunas could live in Nicaragua… Probably too hot. Too bad, Mango would have liked them.

The path takes us alongside the river where wild orchids grow on trees as well as a variety of moss and ferns. Ben makes a friend on the way down in the form of a baby calf.