Quilotoa

Sometimes things are just so beautiful that you can't stop taking pictures, that was the case with Quilotoa. Quilotoa is a lake inside the crater of Volcano Quilotoa. Quilotoa erupted long ago leaving this giant crater, in which now resides a shimmering emerald green lake. Our hostal was about a 5 minute walk from the rim of the crater, so bright and early we set off for a little hike!

Quilotoa on the way down.

Quilotoa on the way up...wow.

From the rim we started to hike down to the shore... hike is a generous term, it was more like skiing. It was steep, sandy, and more of a slide than anything else. The water was stunning, not to mention the mountains surrounding us on all sides. Everything set aglow by the warm morning sun. On the hike back up to the rim (this really was a hike) that sun got a little too warm however. They offer mules that you can rent for the ride up... now I know why. It was not the hardest hike I've ever done, but certainly no walk in the park.

Marcy doing Triangle by the shore.

Marcy chose to ride a mule up, probably a good idea.

After our visit to the crater lake, we returned to our hostal and began on a nice long bike ride down along a canyon and through the high sierra farmlands. It was a really nice ride, not too hard, not too easy, and with amazing views everywhere you looked.

This is a canyon formed out of the sand and dust left after Quilotoa erupted.

Fried bread is a good idea after a long bike ride.