Alebrijes, blue-footed boobies, and leatherback turtles are just some of my 2011 travel highlights.

Ecuador can be an extremely economical country to travel through. It’s also easy to spend lots of money quickly, depending on your travel style and tastes.

Recently, I’ve been barreling through places at a breakneck speed: 7 cities in 11 days over 3 countries and 45+ hours on buses.

Famed for its residents reaching triple digit ages and nicknamed the “Valley of Longevity,” it should be called the “Valley of American Retirees”.

Perhaps the most terrifying aspect of the calamity is not knowing. I literally have nothing on my person except a few dollars – no ATM card, no laptop, no camera – nada.