Searching for Peace...and Waterfalls

Last Saturday, we took our first overland bus in Ecuador and headed out 25 miles down the road to the town of Giron. Giron is known for two things, from a tourist's perspective - it was the site of a major peace treaty in 1829 between Peru and Ecuador (or more accurately, Gran Colombia, as Ecuador was a part of Colombia in those days), and the location of a beautiful series of waterfalls.

We arrived in Giron around 12:00. To give an idea of the cost of life down here for regular folks - the round trip bus fare for the four of us, all in, was $4.00. Kids generally are around half price of the adults. For tourists, naturally, the price goes up. Once we arrived in Giron, we had a choice of hiking 3.5 miles up the road to the trailhead for the waterfalls, or taking a taxi. Being with a 4 and 6 year old, we caught a taxi. The round trip taxi cost was $10.00.

In any case, we arrived at the base of the mountain, paid a minor park entrance fee and discussed the hikes with the clerk. There were three waterfalls in total, and three different hikes to reach each one. The latter two were apparently long and arduous, and difficult with kids. I think Finn was ready for the challenge, but Elliott wasn't quite there, so we climbed up to the first, and we weren't disappointed.

At the base of the waterfall, we ate our picnic lunch, and then we noticed a trail leading off into the bush. It was too much for the Y chromosome to resist...so Finn, Elliott & I set off. The trail wound through dense growth, and then began to head up the side of the mountain at an extremely steep incline. However, with the all of the growth, there were roots everywhere to use for hand and foot-holds, and the boys got excited, particularly Finn. Finn scrambled right up the side of the mountain with amazing grace, enough to scare me. Elliott was a little more careful, and I was just nervous - though I would have enjoyed the climb myself if not for a father's fear!

At a certain point, I wanted to stop, but Finn asked to "just to the top of this section, pleeeeasssse!". After a quick look, and with the confidence I had gained watching him amble up the trail, I let him go. Elliott took a break on a rock, and up Finn went. The trail got quite steep at the top of the picture to the left, so I climbed up behind to assist Finn with the descent...and we were both rewarded for the climb with an impressive view through the trees:

After that ascent, we returned to the base of the waterfall, and climbed to see some other views of the falls, and Elliott was happy to be able to find a fun little climb as well.

Finally, we came back down to the base, hung out with the local farm animals (alpacas), and then headed back down into town.

 

Once we arrived in town, we walked down to the very non-descript Museo de los Tratados, or Museum of the Treaties. The museum celebrated the victory of the Ecuadorian army, led by General Jose Antonio de Sucre, one of Simon Bolivar's top generals, over Peru in the Battle of Tarqui, and the subsequent peace treaty was signed in the building itself.

The museum was a military outpost, so the entry was free, and we were given a tour by a young Ecuadorian soldier. Shannon and Elliott weren't too interested, and instead chose to play in the courtyard, but Finn and I watched intently as the soldier reviewed the weaponry used in the battle.

The boys especially got a kick out of me dressing in an authentic officer's uniform from the battle.

After the museum, we caught the bus back to Cuenca, and spent the evening resting after a busy day, but fantastic day!