After visiting the nature reserve we were in need of a break and relaxation, just below the reserve was thePapallacta thermal springs. I have to say it is one of the best spas I have every visited in the world!!

The views from the spa pools were unbelievable and it was amazing to think that all of the heat for the thermal springs was natural and came from the volcanoes surrounding it, the water is heated by the magma and then comes to the surface and runs down the side of the volcano and is collected by the thermal springs spa – no large heating costs!!

It is a very modern complex with about 9 different pools, rangeing in temperature, depth and size – from small 6 foot pools only a metre deep for relaxation to large 20 metre pools 2 metres deep for swimming in.

The top pool that we spent a lot of time in was very hot and even though outside temperature was about 22 degrees Celsius was difficult to get into because of being so warm. Next to this pool was a slightly cooler pool and next to that what would normally be a plunge pool was an icy cold river. Both me and dad went in it a few times brrrrrrrrr.

We then had a wonderful lunch on site at the thermal springs, during the holiday I had wanted to taste a fresh tree tomato, Henry our guide asked the waiter and they bought me one with a sharp knife. It was very sour but tasted of tomato and was very addictive, it is supposed to be really good for you medicinally if you have a sore throat.

On the way back to Quito Henry was very keen to find me a scarlet bellied mountain tanaper that had been eluding us for the past few days. We stopped the car and walked down to the lake about a mile from the thermal springs and I saw one dart across the trees in front of us. Henry immediately sat down and got his bird call tapes out. Sure enough within minutes the bird came back and started singing opposite the tape. The tanaper sat in the tree next to us for about 15 minutes singing away it was an amazing experience and a beautiful bird.

I was really sad to say goodbye to Henry and Angel as they had been brilliant guide and driver but the best was yet to come.