13-08-2011
Started with riding on top of a truck to Lake Quilotoa (3800m) and trekking back down. We had a guide with us and it would have been difficult without one. At the beginning a notice says there are blue arrows throughout to direct us, saw only one at the end. I wonder if the guides have removed the rest, hmmmm.
The hike was first around the crater lake, a bit more breathless on the uphill (blaming it on the altitude rather than unfitness). The next two hours was downhill or flat, down the volcano first then into a village. Some parts through sand which was fun, sinking into the sand rather than stopping myself slipping on the gravel.
The next bit was in a canyon, downhill first, then across a stream on a log, lastly uphill. Had all of us huffing and panting. The views along the way and then seeing the distance we had covered made it worthwhile.
Out of the eight of us, six still had a bit more energy so we went to the cloud forest. We cheated and took a ride there and back, walked through the forest for an hour with a guide.
After our sweaty, busy morning, this walk was very relaxing. The cloud forest is literally a forest within the clouds. As we entered, a heavy mist hanging around us, it felt like we were entering another world, eerie or magical, differing opinions. A variety of trees, fruits, flowers and lots of horse poo. Jeevan broke a major branch of a tree, more than 400 years old, when I thought us sitting on it would make a great picture.
Reached back to the lodge in time for a dance performance by school girls. They were so cute in their glittery costumes especially when they started quarreling about certain steps. Jeevan was the pole holder as they braided laces around it and then we all joined in.
Finally managed to get to a hot shower, the layer of dust that coated me was scrubbed off (my eyelashes had turned white), just in time for a Mexican dinner.
It's rakhi today, thinking of my brothers.
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