Interesting and very rewarding day.
8.00 am and lovely clear blue sky – off to Antisana. This is a protected area – not yet called a national park.
It was quite a drive over some pretty ruff roads till we came to the reserve. The internal roads are not to bad because the reserve also contains the lake that supplies Quito’ s water. We spotted some hawks and stopped right beside what ever it was they were feeding on. Got lots of good shots. Also while driving thru – we got great views of Cotopaxi still smoking – large area at the top all black with ash. And we came around the corner and there right in front of us was Antisana mountain white as snow – sun shining on it and not a cloud in the sky. White snow – blue sky what a photo. It continued to be in view much of the time after.
We arrived at the lake with a small earth dam to increase the amount of water in storage. Above the lake was a small hill with very good views of four mountains. The hill was about 100 mts high. Now i know you are thinking – so what – but if i now tell you the lake was at 4000 mts. We climbed up the hill to the lookout at the top. It was a slow walk – small steps – my heart was fair beating but my breath seemed okay. The view was breathtaking . See i got to say that again.
After a slow descent – we had a picnic lunch. Then the drive to this Hacienda. 150 kms on the Panamerican highway over two high passes. The road is three and sometimes 4 lanes each way.. long hot drive. We had a couple of pit stops because at this attitude you need to drink plenty of water.
This drive took us around Cotopaxi and this side was all black from the ash. Interesting at some of the lower areas – there was a green line painted on our side of the road with arrows pointing ahead. This was in case that Cotopaxi did finally do its thing and blow its top. Over 200,000 people live in the pathway of any eruption.
My room at this Hacienda is huge. Two large king size beds with room for two more – tv and writting desk. The bathroom is big enough for a couple of wifes and still room to spare – even has a light in the shower!!!
Must sign off now – i have a 5.00am start in the morning to get to the “Devils Nose” train by 8.00am tell you more about it tomorrow.
Chau