We spent our last night in Quito and headed three hours south today to Riobamba in the Chimborazo Province for a one night stay in the city of the signing of the declaration of Ecuador's independence and the starting point of the train ride to Nariz del Diablo (The Devil's Nose). Running for 200 miles south of Quito is the "Avenue of Volcanos" with contains seven peaks more than 17,000 feet high.
Chimborazo is the highest peak but Cotopaxi is said by some to be the world's most beautiful volcano.
So, along the way we visited the Cotopaxi National Park to get an up close view of the snow capped Cotopaxi volcano which has shown increased seismic activity in the last 8 or so months. I did not realize until we were nearing the park that it had been only recently reopened to visitors because of its last eruption in August 2015!!
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| Reparations to the road from the recent activity resulting in mudslides from the melting glaciers |
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| Wild horses on the mountain- shorter stature and thicker hair than the brumbies we saw in Australia (an adaptation to the higher altitude climate) |
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| This did not ease my concern over the recent "eruption" |
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| Cotopaxi Volcano covered by clouds |
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| The clouds moved for a quick glimpse of the top! (It is almost exactly the same height as Kilimanjaro) |
Safely out of the park, we continued south and stopped in another property with connections to the Plaza Lasso family for a delicious lunch- Hacienda San Agustin de callo. This hacienda was built on a site of Incan ruins with many of the buildings integrated right into the ruins.
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| This wall of the living room is made of Incan "pillow-faced" stones |
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| After our lunch, it was time for the llamas to have their lunch out in the courtyard! |
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| Carrots were the favored treat taken gently from the hand |
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| The baby watches and learns as mom takes a treat |
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| Time for a swing in the hammock after feeding! |
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| The boys were ready for a little snack so we stopped here... |
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| A delicacy in this part of the world... |
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| Guinea pig! We all four tried it and 3 out of 4 gave it a thumbs up deciding that it tastes a bit like pork...or squirrel. |
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| Riobama Main Square |
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| Last dinner with our Antonio and Diego |
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