Week 18
Tuesday. Our last day in Otavalo. Today Roland experienced the delights of stir fried pigs heart for breakfast! Gross! There were also other unidentified objects on the plate - best not to ask what they were so we just ate it!
 |
| The roast pork section was tasty |
After we wondered around the market, purchasing some handicraft goodies to send back home we caught the bus to the Ecuadorian capital, Quito.
While on the bus we had a´little incident´- my camera and money were stolen from my bag which was on the floor in front of me. I only realised this had happened when the conductor came over asking for money. Immediately I knew it must have been the man sat behind me, so I challenged him - this resulted in him giving back my camera (claiming he found it on the floor) and most of the money he had taken. Meanwhile while all this was going on, other passengers on the bus had called the police and the driver refused to let the man off the bus by keeping the front door closed. So as soon as the bus stopped, the man ran to the back of the bus and jumped out of the window (bum first) and ran away!
Anyway we finally arrived in Quito safe and sound, somewhat bemused by what had just happened and caught a taxi to our hostel. We spent the rest of the day wondering around Quito´s old town.
 |
| Where´s Wally? |
Wednesday. Ever since I was a little girl, after watching a TV programme about the equator, I always wanted to see water go down a plug hole without it swirling round! Today my dream came true! We made the hour journey to the exact location of the equator where I saw the effects of the Earth´s spin control water as it went down a plug hole! I was a very happy lady!
Note to other travellers - do not go to the `fake equator fun park´, otherwise known as Mitad Del Mundo. This a such a waste of time and money. About 300m further down the road is the much better Museo Solar Inti Nan where the exact equator is located and this is where you can do the fun experiments!
 |
| The only good thing about Mitad Del Mundo is having this picture taken |
In the evening we treated ourselves to a lovely posh dinner - loads of delicious meat and lovey wine, all for $65!
Thursday to Monday. We decided to attempt the Quilotoa loop so we caught a bus to Latacunga. The Quilotoa loop is a circular trek around lots of small villages in the heart of the Andean mountains.
The lady at our hostel, Hostel Tiana, was very helpful and with her advice we planned our route - no guide needed. I must admit that I was a little apprehensive about going on this adventure as I envisioned us getting lost somewhere in the middle of the mountains. However after a few wrong turnings during the first 12km hike, we made it to Chugchilán safe and sound.
 |
| Armed with a banana! |
 |
| Quilotoa Laguna - Formed in a volcano crater |
Chugchilan has a cloud forest nearby so we decdiced to ride horses there (didn't really fancy hiking uphill for hours at altitude). This was a great choice - we both had loads of fun with our guide Bernado. He was very knowledgeable about the medicinal properties of the surrounding plants and he showed us a number of plants that the Inca´s first used (and he still does!).
 |
| Roland experienced his first gallop!!! |
 |
| Inca earrings |
 |
| Hahahahah!!! |
 |
| Massive mushroom!!! |
 |
| ``Smell this´´ |
 |
| In the clouds |
 |
| The foal came with us, and was knackered by the end of the 4 hour trip |
The last leg of the Loop was a 21km hike to Sigchos
. This was a beautiful walk taking us to the bottom of the canyon and following the river for most of the hike.
Luckily, for the last part, a passing truck driver offered to take us back up the mountain to Sigchos - free of charge. I was relieved as this saved us about 1 and 1/2 hours walking up a steep hill!!
 |
| Yay! |
We only had to wait in Sigchos
for an hour before catching the 2 hour bus ride back to Latacunga
.
 |
| I thought these were sausages! Take a closer look!!! |
 |
| Sigchos main plaza - the prettiest part of town |
We really couldn't face spending another night in Latacunga so we decided to grab our bags and get straight back on another bus to Banos.
Even though we didn't have a place booked, it was easy to find accommodation, thanks to our friendly taxi driver who took us to Hotel Banos - a budget hotel right in the centre of town.
 |
| The Basilica |
Monday. Today was a `nothing´ day. After all the travelling recently we needed to recharge our batteries. Roland spent the day snoozing in the hotel and I went to a nearby Beauty Spa and had about 2 and 1/2 hours of treatments for $45! I felt amazing afterwards.
 |
| Ionic foot detox - before photo |
 |
| 30 minutes later!! Dirty girl!!! |
No comments:
Post a Comment