So we set out with just our small backpacks and left our big bags in the hostal (with slight anxiety). We stocked up with breakfast and walked to the bus terminal.
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| Sarah 'packing' the night before !!!! |
The bus directly to Quilotoa left the bus terminal in Latacunga at 09.00 am, it cost $2.00 for the 3 hour bus ride.
The bus was rammed with "Gringos" on the trail and locals going home for the weekend.
The interesting thing in places like this is that the locals are not the main attraction. The "Gringos" to some of the younger children are fascinating. You know they are looking at you, and you turn around and they quickly look away, they then look out of the corner of their eye so as soon as you look away they can get another look.
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| James' admirer! |
The bus journey was fairly uneventful however driving over 4000 meter passes we spent much time in the clouds with no visibility. I am not sure the driver could always see where the road went....these mountain roads have very steep drops on one side with no barriers...
Anyway we arrived at Quilotoa around 1 pm and were greeted by 3 young members of the 150 person community that lives in Quilotoa. These three young entrepreneurs (probably 5 years old) were keen to help us find our hostel Pacha Mama for the handsome fee of 10 cents each, we felt this was a bargain.
The hostel was very basic but clean and great value for $10 per person in a private room with en suite, with breakfast and dinner included!!
The main attraction at Quilotoa is the volcanic crater lake, this crater is the only remains of a volcano that erupted and collapsed over 800 years ago.
Now as we arrived we immediately realised how cold it was and how windy it was at 4000 meters, so Sarah had to get involved in some Llama based products.
The view from the village of the lake is breathtaking and on a clearer day I think the lake would be a deeper green colour.
You can walk down to the lakes edge for a closer look and for our acclimatization was vital, the walk takes you from 4000 meters at the village down to around 3500 meters.
Unfortunately you cant swim due to the sulphur content of the water, which disturbed me as the donkeys were drinking it! However due to the temperature it would be a brave person to even attempt it!!
The walk back up the crater was supposed to take 1 hr 30 + however Sarah and I managed it with little effort in 50 minutes, with breaks. So I am hoping that's good for the summit attempt!
A few more photos from the crater edge.
So as we had more time left in the afternoon we ventured out on the crater rim walk, this walk is supposed to be dangerous and a little bit scary but we felt comfortable.
We were privileged to experience probably one of the best sunsets we have seen on our trip, albeit out of the moderate warmth of our bedroom window due to the extremely cold temperature, this photo has not been edited or used and filters to enhance the colour it was awe inspiring.
The sun setting meant the temperature plummeted! We were wrapped up in bed (before dinner) in all our clothes with hats and a sleeping bag.
We all settled around the fire at the hostel before dinner was served, chatting between people about what we had done that day. Sarah noticed the girl opposite us was looking at several rocks in her hands. Sarah asked what they were and she responded that they were volcanic rocks she was collecting as samples.
It transpired that she was a volcanologist doing some work in Ecuador, and was English. When asked where she was from she answered near London, "Where near London, we live near London" Sarah responded. A place called Reading it turned out, actually Wokingham!!!! Yes Wokingham.
The world is a very small place.
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