Cotopaxi Volcano

We have left study and spanish school behind for the moment and embarked on some serious fun and adventure! Heading a couple of hours south of Quito we made it to Cotopaxi national park and a hostel called the Secret Garden where we camped with an amazing view of the enormous volcano (about 5800m).

This was the view from our tent on our first morning!

We went on a walk to a gorgeous waterfall, rode on the back of a pickup truck with the wind in our hair, and climbed almost a kilometre up Cotopaxi through snow to get to a climbers refuge at 4800m. I have to say that it was definitely the hardest kilometre that I have ever walked! It was a very steep incline, and Eva and I both were affected by the altitude, feeling sick in the stomach, tired and short of breath. The fact that I was carrying Eva on my back for quite a bit of the way certainly added to the physical and mental challenge! It was a a great achievement though and one that neither of us will ever forget! It even snowed on us on our way back down.

On the back of the truck heading up to the mountain

Here we are very keen, and about to start our walk up.

This is our small crew - we made it to the refuge

On our way back down!

The waterfall near the hostel

Today we went horse riding for 4 hours and it was amazing. Although I am in such pain right now in so many places! The horses were spirited, enjoying a trot and a canter and extemely calm as well, handling chickens, barking dogs, motorbikes, cars and tractors passing and an incredible thunderstorm, lightning and driving rain that blew in with about half an hour to go. It was Eva's first ride on her own and she loved it, especially trotting and trying to get her horse to canter! She was really brave until the thunderstorm hit, the rain poured and her fingers froze! It will forever remain a very memorable experience. All the more because a lady at the hostel paid for us to go because she thought that we were lovely....ah. They are some wonderful people in the world!

Here she is about to start the ride. Eva was a natural on a horse while the sun was shining!

All in all it feels like we are travelling now. Great fun!

And tomorrow we are heading to the Galapagos Islands for a week. It is definitely killing the budget but the deal was too good to pass up!