This has been one of the highlights of the trip so far. We took a little detour off the Pan American highway and got a bus fron Latacunga to a liitle village higher again in the mountains to Zumbahua. It was a short taxi ride of 12km to Quilatoa. A Dormant volcano with the biggest lake in Equador at it´s centre. It took our breath away. We walked the rim and at 4000 mtrs it was tough enough on the ole lungs but the veiws were fab not only of the lake but also of the surrounding counrtyside. It was a patchwork of fields and Equador gives Ireland a run for it´s money with more than 40 shades of green.
The hike took us three and a half hours and thankfully the cloud stayed away. On our way up on the bus we had travelled through thick cloud and were doubting our chances of veiws.
We then hitched a lift back to Zumbahua and got lucky with a family from Quito. He drove like a bat out of hell and with child in the back. Car Safety is not a big issue over here. I have seen children sitting in the front no seat belts or on their mothers lap and dad is not driving slow. I don´t know what the stats are like for road accidents and I am not going to look them up but it is safer than India!!
Anyway we lucked out on our return to the village it seemed to be party Sunday in the main square which I think also doubles as the local sports pitch and market.
There was a local band in the stands and then they had also hired in a swish looking band from the city. The music was jazz with plenty of brass on show which was quite surprising. It was a very jolly event with men and women dancing and drinking beer. Surrounding the square were women selling the beer and everyone was getting quite merry. The women are beautiful with their long dark hair hidden under felt hats, colourful shawls and velvet skirts. 
It was unusual to see the women holding onto bear bottles and pouring it into cups and drinking and spitting out the froth. We watched for a while and then got our bus back to Latacunga.
We are now in Banos enjoying a little repreive from the alltitude and some water fun for a change. Will fill you in on another post.
