The day started with a very rude ticket lady. Anna has decided that Steph needs to learn Spanish insults to throw back in the rude people's faces. Take That! We found ourselves in Latacunga where many many bus drivers felt the need to shout their destinations in our faces. Before we knew it we were being herded onto a direct bus to Quilotoa, where two LIVE hens fell out of the luggage compartment!
The bus was packed when we got on and gradually as the bus went along the long, dusty, twisty road the people got off, leaving Steph and I. Fortunatly the hostel directions were correct, 'If you get to town, you will see the hostel'. Once in town we headed to the crater, which was MASSIVE. Thank you Ben for telling us in your blog how shit your day to Cotopaxi was and how much better this place is. Our trip wasn't wasted! We walked down the crater and were a little scared about the return journey, we met a lot of half dead people on the way down. Fortunatly we were absolutely fine! You can't swim in the water due to the sulphuric acid, but we did sit and look at it from a safe distance for a while. It was very James Bond-esq.
Our night in Quilotoa was quiet. I think we met all the villagers in the space of 5 minutes (the time it took to walk through the town). Dinner was included in the price and we ate with the two other people who were staying in our dorm. Anna did not have much conversation as the couple were Argentinian and didn't speak English. We also met our bus driver who kindly told us we would be leaving at 5am! They gave us a grilled banana!!
At 5am we stood freezing our asses off waiting for the bus driver to appear. The bus drive was freezing and when Anna woke up in Latacunga the bus was heaving. Where did all the people come from!! There is nothing but hills up there!
We managed to get a direct bus to Baños, where we spent a night. It is a very popular tourist destination. They sell a lot of sugar cane and chewy taffy, which if you eat more than one piece of makes you feel sick. It was even too much for Steph to handle!! Baños was another small town and we spent the day exploring all the eateries ... even managed to get lost ... for all of 5 minutes!
We have spent the day traveliing to Guayaquil and don't intend to do very much as everyone who we have spoken to has told us to take care and be safe. Hmmm, me thinks we are not in a very nice city. There is even a leflet about US taxi abductions. I think Steph and I will be getting seperate taxis to the bus station, I dont want to get abducted with her! But don't worry I will report her if she goes missing before I hop on our bus to Lima!
We'll let you know if Steph makes it!!
Steph and Anna
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