Hostal Aya Huma Otavalo

... known for its waterfall and walks. A really pretty setting. Then up to Condor Park...amazing birds, so huge, they could pick a small child up no worries! However it wasnt my cup of tea as they were in cages or tied up. <br><br>Back to the cottage for a fabulous evening by the fire. Rose invited her friend (cute old man called Raul) around to play the guitar for us, we danced along to the tradditonal sounds.<br><br>Day 4<br>We visited 2 local towns, Cotacachi and ...

... Over the fire we listened tone of the guests who told us that a group of aussie tourists had visited the livestock market in Otavalo this morning and between them bought a pig for $12. They walked around the market with the pig on a lead whilst they were there and upon leaving sold the pig for $7 to a local man who was extremely happy with the bargain. Now that is a great story. We also spoke to a very interesting dutch guy who had been touring South America for 7 years. It was our best day ever.

... feast prepared from all the fresh food - soup with quinoa and potato, fresh salad, a few different types of beans, corn and the cuy. They had roasted it and cut it into tiny little quarters for us to share, it looked quite cute but I thought it tasted gross. A bit like dark chicken meat but a much sweeter flavour, a bit of a taste like a wild animal, I´m going to say rabbit even though I can´t remember that flavour since it was a long time ago that I ate that ...

... in about 5 minutes, assuming we don't stop to visit with the cows, sheep, chickens and dogs who are all glad to see someone passing through their territory. Everyone's friendly here, even the livestock! We have weekly maid service, gardeners, wireless internet, Direct TV, a hammock chair on the back terrace (where there's another fireplace!), and unbelievable views in all directions. We're loving retirement!<br><br>Okay, so we thought retirement involved sleeping late ...

We are up early to get away, there is breakfast in the hostel but not until 08:30 we find out. Worth it though, a nice thick pancake with fruit, juice and coffee. <br>Out to find out if the bikes are still in the bike park, all OK. <br>Pasto is apparently renowned for it's damp and cold climate. Still couldn't see the top of the volcano, it was last smokin in 2005. <br>We head into the hills again, a bit greener in the Pasto valley but it soon starts to dry ...

... waiting for us. Patient man, I thought. He face wasn&#8217;t as friendly this time, though. The taxi driver drove us up on a cobblestone path up the mountain. We reached a high point, and got off the taxi to walk around and enjoy the sights of the laguna. The laguna that day was cloudy, rainy, and sunny all at the same time. But the waters were blue and sparkling. Suddenly, the taxi driver took on the role of a tour guide, as he led us up the mountain ...

... Well, definitely a trail came to definitely an end and we entered basically swampy forest land. Perhaps the trail goes all the way around in the dry season, or drier season, or perhaps we just lost it, but if it was there, it wasn&#8217;t easy to follow going counter clockwise. The dense forest took forever to bushwhack through and got very mucky in parts. Going through the thicket took a solid hour. Keeping the lake on the left, we made it through. Bits and pieces ...

... and resembled Broad Street on a Friday night. I admit now after resolutely vowing to stick to vegetarianism before leaving I have already given up and turned to the dark side. I enjoyed a nice juicy steak, with a certain amount of guilt, but without it I just won´t get enough protein, and I´m already pretty thin. Excuses I know... it did taste very good (sorry veggies! and animals!). Yesterday morning we set out early for Otovalo. The bus journey was ...

... north. I was thrilled to discover the market is open every day, just on a smaller scale. I still can not believe how big the market is... and I can not even imagine how big the Saturday market must be! Rows and rows of colorful hammocks, jewelry, handmade toys and various doo dad's for the spending tourists, like me! I am just sad that I am carrying a backpack without a lot of space or I would have bought A LOT of stuff today!

Otavalo is the Panajachel of Ecuador, lots of western foreigners hanging out and hanging on, but the real attraction here is the locals themselves, particularly the men, striking and handsome with their long hair and attractive blue ponchos. The women aren't bad either, with their beads and stacks of ...