Equador = equator = very strong sun = BURN

Hola

Took a mini adventure today to Quilitoa (a volcanic crater with a lake in it) via Zumbhua (?spelling) where there was a massive market. They were selling everything although neither of us were brave enough o buy anything - maybe next market time! They even sell chicken heads mmmm (Kristina you would probably love it ahaha). Saw some llamas which Katharine loved ... definitely bringing one back!

We hitchhiked a pick up truck to get us to Quilitoa which was an incredibly bumpy ride to say the least! Also think we should have bargained the price a little as we defo got the "foreigner" price! Quilitoa is a tiny village with very little there except hostals and cafes which are springing up in response to all the tours which go there. The lake is fantastic - absolutely huge! Unfortunately the weather wasn´t that great so it didn´t look quite as spectacular as all of the postcards! We hiked down to the bottom of the crater to have a closer look which wasn´t really worth it because it definitely looks better from the top! Going down wasn´t too bad but the hike back up was fairly horrendous. We had descended 400m in only about an hour so going up it was very steep. Luckily there was minimal moaning! We could have got a donkey back up but they looked just as exhausted as us!

It only took just over an hour and a half to get back to the rim of the crater (Katharine took a little longer!) but by the time we reached there it was definitely getting cold. Who knew that when you are at nearly at 4000m it gets VERY cold! Also despite the cloudy and cool weather we both definitely managed to catch the sun!

After a pick up truck and a bus we are back in Latacunga for the night. People in our dorm are all very friendly although all seem to know more about everything than us - it is not going down very well! Staying here tonight and then off to Baños in the morning to relax in some hot springs and admire the volcano!