White water rafting and hot springs!

Wow.. Yesterday went for whitewaterrafting, after a 17km cycle to Rio Verde. The cycle was tought, especailly as half of it was uphill, despite having been promised it was all down!! We stopped at one point and took a cable car accross the valley of Banos! that was amaizing, as you could see al the way through the valley!
When we got to Rio Verde we hopped into a bus and drove doen to the River. Luckily the weather was hot, so we were spared the embarassment of wearing wetsuits. The beach was black and so was the water.. its all the ash from the volcanos. We then had a quick lesson in commands whislt rafting, and what to do if we flip over or fall out.. then we set off! It was absolutly amazing, but the river was only a level 3.. but as i have never done it before, i though it was best to be safe than sorry. We all had a great time.. luckily no one fell out.. otherwisewe would have been buying the guide a beer, and being broke.. didnt want to be doing that. But just at the end we all jumped out and i went down some rapids solo! that was terrifying.. the lifejacket keeps you up, but the waves start to crash over your head and you cant breathe.. thats not so cool! when i got out i had ash everythere.. in my bikini, my hair, eyebrows, and i think i swallowed some, or breathed it in, because i now have sore throat and feel pretty ill.
One of the best things about baños at the moment has been that i am sharing my room with a Burning man veteran! she has been 5 times now.. and this means lots of fun and lots of support for when i get there!!
In the afternoon we went to the hot springs... HEAVEN! perfect after a hard days rafting.. but i have to admit i was slightly disappointed because there were so many people there,.. it was absolutly crowded... so it was difficult to find space to sit and relax!!
In the evening we went out,... but baños was pretty dead.. one of the most recommeded bars was aweful. all gringos, and the music was rnb, hip hop, which i HATE with a pasion. We mnaged to find a cool euadorian bar with Latin American Music, but as soon as we got there they were kinda closing up.. but was nice to listen to some proper music. I am going to miss euadorian music so much when i get home!! I particularily miss the music from Isabela and the Galapgos in general.. cos they have their own artists and own music. Unbeatable!!