I wanted to chill out in Vilcabamba for a few days, but I didn't realise until I got there that it was actually a common place for retirees from the United States to come and settle down. So I didn't last long before I had itchy feet and needed to move on to a more lively place.

Another day of buses from Piura to Loja, then Loja to Vilcabamba. I put my bags down at the hostel and took a walk around the city. A bit of live music in the square, but nothing going on outside a block or two from the main area.

The next day I moved to a hostel 2km out of town called Hostería Izhcayluma. It had been recommended by a girl I met in Huaraz, and looked like a really nice place. It was, but again it was too quiet for my likings. More of a place to come on a brief holiday to get away from everything, do yoga classes and some hiking. I spent one night there then was on my way again, taking the bus up to Cuenca.

The thing you notice immediately about Ecuador is the beautiful countryside on bus rides. The mountains are still there, just as they are in Peru, however it's completely green and looks much fresher and alive. The drive up to Cuenca was filled with rolling green hills, scattered farmhouses and cows and horses dotted in between. Like what you'd see on the side of a milk carton.

In saying that, as I was only really passing through I kept my camera away, preferring to take it in myself. There'll be plenty of other opportunities for photos of this scenery throughout Ecuador.