Pinar Del Lago Cuenca

... Barbara and Kieran, a couple from Italy and England respectively, and we had a good time talking with them. We also talked to an older couple from Columbia who had a book with some more trail information about the hike we were doing the next day which was handy.<br><br>We set off about 9am the next morning and after stopping to ask directions from some villagers dressed in traditional clothing leading llamas and donkeys, we found the narrow trail leading down to the river and eventually ...

... and the rails gripped the side of the mountain valley with just feet to spare as the Collectivo ambled along the rails through a cut in the valley descending about 500metres, stopping briefly at a section called the Devils Nose before descending further to what looked like a brand new station, Sibambe. This station served no purpose, as far as I could see, than to accept a carriage load of tourists. We were treated to a short history of the railway before, 20minutes later ...

... Cuenca and then they are brought into the factory where they are finished. There are different qualities to the hats and the most expensive, called superfinos, take around 6 months to make by the local villagers and cost about 600USD! After our tour we had great fun viewing all the hats in the show room and trying them on. They had so many beautiful hats and some of the really expensive ones are amazing! I decided to buy ...

... primary Incan ruins in Ecuador. This was a key site in its hey day, but there isn´t much of it left now as most of it was destroyed. Still cool to see though as the sun temple is still quite intact and the foundations for the exterior palace and rooms where the ímportant woman´lived! It doesn´t take long to go around, but the history geek inside me appreciated it!<br><br><br>Then it was back to the hotel to take advantage of cable TV before my next step!<br>

... etc but all lesson plans are somehow tied to the environment and organic farming. They are all about organic and permaculture: no chemicals, allowing what grows well to grow versus what will reap the largest profit, etc. We were given a tour of the farm, which is located right on the transition zone from where it changes from a wet to a dry forest. So, they are able to grow a huge diversity of crops. We saw banana trees, yuca, papaya, pineapple, watermelon, cocoa, coffee, basil ...

... the next biggest town on the map, not sure what is there but it will have to do.<br>We arrive in El Tambo in the twilight, cold and despondant and find the "Sunshine Hostel" sunshine would be nice. There was no heating but at least it had hot water showers.<br>We get a pizza and coffee from a shop just down the road, all we could find open and call it a day.<br>You have to have a bad day now and again to make the good days seem even better!

... shown the process of producing them by the hundred. Some spectacular blooms. And to cap a great day we stopped at an authentic weaving place where again the whole process was demonstrated before our very eyes. Lovely natural hues made from natural dyes. A type of weaving called Ikat. So nice we actually bought one.<br><br>We stopped at a very pleasant hacienda for lunch and then back to Cuenca.

... br><br>I think I´m ****** off because they kept on referring to me as ´that man´ which made me feel old. I should see if I can get a spot on ´Grumpy old men´if I ever come back to the UK :)<br><br>What else happened? Well, my bed broke repeatedly. When I say broke, I mean the piece of wood supporting the slats kept on breaking rendering the mattress, and subsequently me, sprawled half on the bed, half on the floor. Not particularly impressive at ...

... another city will be full of hairdressers, another full of off licences while you struggle to get a drink in others... strange but funny...<br><br>Then the Cajas national park, stunning park, lots of lakes and of course hiking... lucky enough we met 4 people on the way ...

... in 1885, and the cathedral was supposed to be much taller than it is - an error in design meant that the tall bell towers could not be supported by the building. then i walked to río tomebamba and just kind of listened to the river for a while. afterwards went to museo remigio crespo toral...one floor to religious sculptures, colonial furniture and paintings, and indian artefacts. not too impressive, but free.