From EcuadorWiki
Hola! My name is Angie and I will be describing the first leg of today's trip. Today we actually did what we were suppose to do on Sunday. We made the trip to Cotopoxi. This was actually very lucky because the day before there was a big snow storm and no one could climb the volcanoe and on Sunday there was a large storm as well and no one could climb. We picked the day right in the middle and were very lucky to be able to climb the volcanoe and see the amazing glacier topped sight!
We started out the trip at 7:30 am. Cotopoxi was approximately two hours from Quito. On the way we stopped to see an amazing overview of the city of Quito.
We could see the church we visited earlier in the trip. It was a view too great for words. Also on our way we drove through little towns that gave us a little more of a taste of authentic Ecuador. Four of us had to go in a van because the bus was too packed. I was in the van. Our tour guide was very knowledgable and told us everything he knew about the agriculture, geology, and history of Ecuador which was very interesting. We even stopped to check out some plants that shamans used for healing, for example, Marcko which what used to clean the spirit of the person and the house. The roads were extremely bumpy, it was like having a free massage.
Erika, Caitlin, and Kelley in the van
We then arrived at the beautiful Hacienda de la Porvenir where all around were mountains and sunshine, though the air was quite chilly. The Hacienda was at an altitude of 3600 meters. After we arrived we waited a minute for the bus, then it was off to Cotopoxi.
On the way to the volcanoe we had to get off the bus twice because the road had craters the size of the moon. We actually started rolling down the hill at one point while rocking side to side. it was a little scary, but eventful nonetheless. Overall the ride was very bumpy, like a rollercoaster. We arrived at the Cotopoxi National Park were we could see 5 of the 66 volcanoes in Ecuador. Cotopoxi is the highest active volcanoe in the world. But before we could climb the volcanoe we had to drive to it and of course take a bathroom break--boys on one side of the crevice, girls on the other. It was interesting as many of the girls had problems with the vegetation! But anyway, before we could ascend the mountain we had to take a break and get acclimatized. Thus we walked around for about 10 minutes to get use to the altitude. All around we could see lava rocks, wild horses, and interesting little flowers.
Next we drove up the volcanoe to the parking lot with the big yellow bus, and you can imagine how intersting that was. It was very bumpy! At last we made it to the parking lot and it was time to ascend the volcanoe. The point of destination was a little yellow hut that was at 16,000 feet. The ground was ash and rocks and climbing up the mountain was very difficult because your legs burn and you lose your breath easily. We were told to take 5 little breaths in and exhale with pursed lips. It was intense. But most of us made it to the checkpoint.
16,000 feet at the yellow hut..Almost there!
The view was amazing and no picture or words can capture the sight we saw. the red rock/lava ash and snow capped summit were just amazing. Looking down from the top, the bus looked so small.
View from the hut...Look at the tiny buses!
At the top we stopped at the check point and had some hot beverages because the wind was very strong and cold as the clouds whirled around the volcanoe. Some people went to see the glacier, which was a beautiful site as well, though very very very cold! After taking in the view and trying to imprint it in our memories, we descended down the volcanoe. It was so much easier than going up, except sometimes we slid and it got a little difficult. But nontheless we made it safe and sound.
The glacier on the volcanoe
Another shot of the glacier
We all got back on the bus and chowed down on our food because we were told not to eat before we climbed the volcanoe because our brain and muscles needed all the oxygen we had! It had been a long while before we ate! I never knew paper bag lunches could taste so good! Then the bus made its way down the mountain which was actually better than going up with the manual bus! Then we headed to our next destination, a little lagoon located in the park.
The second part of the day was a bit less intense than the first, and I, Dani Smith, will be filling everyone in on it.
After climbing around on Mt. Cotapoxi, we headed for a lagoon in the bus. On the way there, however, we all scarved down our brown paper bag lunches that had been prepared for us by the Hacienda we were staying at. The lunch was not only filling but a pleasure to the taste buds. It was many of our first encounters with the Ecuadorian candy bars, and it was delightful.
After we arrived at the lagoon a few people had the energy to get up and go outside for a look. The lagoon was rather interesting because it was flat. The water of course was flat, but the land around it was as well. There were a few birds around the water that caught Dr. McNally's attention. After a short stop there for a few pictures, those who ventured out loaded back into the bus and headed back to the hacienda.
Erika, Kelley, and Caitlin at the lagoon
This place was amazing. We were treated so nice, and it was so cozy. It was nice because our group was the only one there at the time, so we had the place to ourselves. The upstairs is where we stayed, in little double rooms with two twin beds about two feet apart, and bamboo screens separating us from the room next door.
The upstairs of the hacienda where our rooms were
A few group members had a triple, and four girls had a room that was an actual room. It was so cozy and fun.
After relaxing and showering we were called for dinner. This was the best food I´ve had on the trip so far. We had an amazing chicken or salmon dinner, our choice, and we all cleared our plates.
Another view...Look at the clouds!
A lot of us played games down stairs for a few hours, including the infamous heads up seven up, some people played euchre, while others called it an early night. The hike up to cotapaxi had been quite an intense one for everyone.
This Saturday was quite an adventure. A beautiful bus ride took us to an even more scenic mountain area, where we pushed ourselves to climb Cotopaxi. After this feat we all relaxed and enjoyed the wonders of the Hacienda de la Porvenir. We hit the sack and dreamt of the day to come, which included horse backriding, a hike to a beautiful waterfall, and our return home to Quito.
