Feb. 10

Today we drove up to the volcano Chimborazo, it is very seldom clear but we got lucky and it was clear for 10 minutes and as we drove up it was covered in clouds Chimborazu is the highest mountain in Ecuador at 6310 meters. The Blue Wonder made it up to 15,890 feet without wings.

Norbert was fine but I had to move slow and berating was laboured.  We had to go down after 30 min. and it took all afternoon for my hearing to return to normal.

We saw lots of Vicunas as thy are a protected species.  Buying the ticket to enter the park we met another Canadian from Montreal, we were both surprised to meet.

We are now in Riobamba and will travel to Alausi where we take the train to Nariz del Diablo. ( devils nose). 

Arrived in Alausi just in time for a political parade and as it was sunday all the indigenous people come down from the mountains to market, what a colourful scene. We took the train up to Nariz del Diablo and the scenery was well worth wile the trip and also the museum. At the museum there is a plaque thanking Canada for the contribution, it turns out that Canada donated a coffee machine to the restaurant, so now thy sell cappuccino, lattes and so forth and are earning money for the upkeep.the guide even thanked me profusely. Again we slept in a secure parking lot which is run by a very nice lady. Today we drove to cuenca and on the way visited Inca ruins and had a nice tour. From there we went on to Cuenca. As we were looking for parking in the historical centre, a gentleman purposefully strode over to us, he had seen our canadian flag, his name is Robyn and hails from Alberta now living in Ecuador, he invited us to his place which is a 5 minute walk from the centre, we are parked in front of his place and there is a security man patrolling the street 24/7. We surprised his wife  Tamara But she was very gracious and served us tee and fresh baked cookies. Went for a walk in town and found Wunderbar, a german restaurant were we had schnitzel with spaetzle and sauerkraut plus good beer. One never knows what the day will bring. Today Robyn showed us around town, it is so nice to see places outside of the tourist section and get to know the real Ecuador. Cuenca is a city of perfect mix of historical and modern and as it is a university town a lot of cultural places to see. One needs to spend more time here.

A big thank you to Tamara and Robyn for your hospitality.

Hugs to all.

Norbert and Greti.

Cotopaxi showing its glory for 10 minutes

Vicuna 

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Welcome Parade?

Our host's Tamara and Robyn in Cuenca

This is the average height of the Ecuadorian, no wonder thy all llok at Norbert 

Hungry for Guinea pig?

Made itup without wings

banos

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Some sections we had to krawl

Rural Ecuador

Will we make it?

Yes we did eat, she was so nice we could not pass her by, and did not get sick.

The power of water

We are still in Banos.
 Today we drove the route of the waterfalls, it is a stretch of 30 km. and there are 7 waterfalls and also thermal baths. Hiked down in to the valley and up to the top of the falls. The specialty of this area is trout so we had a very good lunch of barbecued trout. Some stretches of the road were very narrow and we had to pass under the fall. This afternoon the Volcano gave us a show and as we had clear sky's the spewing was impressive and I am glad that we will travel on tomorrow.
Hugs to all
Norbert and Greti.

Quito to Banos

Tungurahua Volcano

the dragon was watching our speed

We were able to climb up to the bell tower in the Basilica.

At this market you can find anything and if not you can have it made

We still had a nice day in Quito, first we went for the insurance, taxi ride $4.00 and Insurance for one month $ 3.56, what a deal. Did not take the Teleferico as it was raining and the mountaintop was in the clouds. Quito has the same as Mexico City that depending on the last digit of your license plate  you can not drive in the city from 7 am. until 9.30 am. and 4pm. to 6.30 pm. We still have not found a place to fill our Propane tank, so we are hoping to find one soon if not no coffee in the morning.
Drove to the Volcano Cocopaxi, the views were spectacular and surprising how high the potatoes are planted, also saw our first Lamas. We are now in Banos,took a hotel room as a shower is needed. We are at the foot of Tungurahua volcano and it is active, just as we drove up it let out a big belch and the whole valley is in a haze. hope it keeps quiet while we are here.
Hugs to all
Norbert and Greti

Feb. 5

February 4

We had a nice rest day in Otavalo, visited the town and the market, mostly indigenous people. Very shy but will sneak a look at Norbert, he sticks out above all.

We stayed at the Hostal La Luna, did laundry and took a taxi in to town. In the afternoon we went to a crater lake at 9000 feet was quite cold.we tried to get the mandatory insurance for the Van but can only get it in Iberra or Quito, so we did not want to drive back to Iberra and will get it in Quito.  We crossed the Equator today at noon and our GPS. read N 00'000 W 78'10.30.1
. that will not happen too often. Had a nice drive to Quito but when we got close to town traffic is total chaos, hired a taxi to guide us to the hostal. When we got there it was full, so we stated looking for a spot for the camper.

One parking lot wanted $80.00 per nite, we are now parked for $20.00 per nite in the new part of town. Went to visit the historical sector, very impressive 7 churches within 4 blocks. I have seen a lot of churches in a lot of countries but the church here floored me. There is so much gold, it is obscene.  The craftsmanship is fantastic, two of the churches took 160 years to complete. Tomorrow we will take the Teleferico and visit some museums. But first we will try to get the Insurance.

Hugs to all.

Norbert and Greti 

P.S.

Sorry for the small pictures and no descriptions, I had to send it from my ipad and could not work it.

Painting outside church in Otavalo

Finally found a market wih frsh vegetavled.

Lago Mojanda

Our camping spot in Otavalo

Divided.

Blue Wonder can not hide

Hostal La Luna

A delicacy in South America 

Jan.31

January 31

Left Popayan early as we had a 220km. Drive to Pasto. We drove up to 10,000 feet.

We wanted to hike up to Volcan Galeras but it was closed due to activity. Went to Laguna la Cotcha, the lake is at 9,500 meters. Had the best smoked trout ever so that was Norbert's birthday dinner. In the morning we visited the village, imitation swiss chalets.  Norbert seems to attract all stray dogs who want to go with him.

Went to Las Lajas, a beautiful church built in a canyon and a must see. As soon as we parked we had about 10 people who wanted to see the Blue Wonder.

One lady commented "what luxury and how elegant" I did not tell her that in the US someone called her a shitbox. i guess different values. 

Crossed the border in to Ecuador, first to export the van from Colombia and do our exit visas, then visas for Ecuador and import the van, all together 3 hours as we had to wait for the officer to have his dinner, first we could not import without Insurance but as no insurance was available ( she ran out of forms) and after Norbert sweet talked her we did get the paperwork done and will buy insurance in Otovalo.

We are now in Julio Andrade in a secure and fenced parking lot with toilets at a cost of one dollar per nite. Gas here is $1.50 per gallon and our dinner of french fries and eggs with sausage plus drink for two people was &2.70. What a difference from Colombia.

Thank you all for the Birthday wishes for Norbert and your mails.

Hugs to all.

Norbert and Greti.

Biting the hand that feeds you

Old man in modern young man in traditional

Women stick to the traditional

Lucky we did not have to leave

I did not buy the melon but gave then a lollypop and took their photo so she gave me the melon,

this is up the mountain

Soup vendor

the fields are worked up to 9000 feet.

Lago La Cotcha

Another of Norberts dogs

His companion also wants to come along

At the Coffee Finka, 

Cathedral Las Lajas

Crowd gathering to view the Blue Wonder

Farewell Colombia

Welcome Ecuador

Waiting for the officer to have his dinner