Ecuador - Part 2

Having made a purchase at the tour agent within the hostel, we were offered a free night´s accommodation at the sister hostel, south of Quito near Cotopaxi Volcano. Never known to knock a bargain, Phileas didn´t know quite what a bargain he was getting until he got there.




The journey took just over two hours. Half of it seemed to be taken traversing the world´s worst road. Indeed, it probably wouldn´t qualify as a road and thus has to be marked as a very entertaining 4x4 adventure! But we arrived safe and sound in the countryside at Secret Garden Cotopaxi and took up our bed in the middle of three two-storey cottages.






We immediately appreciated the scenery and despite its familiarity with the Peak District in some respects, we noticed remarkable differences.




But it wasn´t the scenery we had come for - it was time to celebrate someone´s birthday in a special way in a special place.




We had arrived on the same day as 12 others, and were soon to form a happy bunch of British, Australian, Dutch, Austrian, Ecuadorian and Israeli friends. Wihtout power, the candle-light provided the perfect atmospehere for a low-key party, befitting Phileas´ deceptive advancing years! Gourmet food with an extra special dessert.



Despite the temptation, she did only have one plate to herself.



You can´t beat a good fire.




Jenga followed by Scrabble. How very mature! Always enjoy spreading the English language to non-native speakers though. Can´t imagine getting to the stage in Spanish when we are ready to throw ´wilt´and árose´into a conversation! Only today, a shopkeeper greeted Phileas with the friendly "Buenos Dias" to which she happily replied with the capital of Argentina - "Buenos Aires".

"Hello!"

"London!"




Not all the time was taken relaxing by the fire, playing games, lying in a hammock. Monday, we went up Volcan Cotopaxi a little further than the refuge. The climb to lunch at 4800m, and the dessert hike to 5000m was a tester but definitely worth the effort, as the clouds opened up in front of the glacier and exposed the valley beneath.







We´re not sure whether the ride back to the hostel was covered by the travel insurance... Not sure whether giving out mountain bikes with dodgy breaks to guests who ride down extinct volcanoes is a good idea either!