Cloud Nine

In order to get to the Black Sheep Inn, I had to travel something close to 120KM from Quito to Chugchilian, but when you are talking about the Andes that actually translates to over 6 hours of travel via three different modes of transport. Thankfully by my third transfer I located another traveller. This was probably one of my more remote adventures and with the reputation Ecuador has for theft on buses I was most nervous about this journey over any other. I have never clutched my bags more closely to my chest and prayed for my big bag to be under the bus when we disembarked each time. It was as if I was practicing my role of 80+yr old racist granny for a future academy award winning feature film. Move over Meryl Streep. Admittedly, having arrived without any issue whatsoever, I did feel mildly embarrassed at my behaviour but better to be safe than sorry I suppose. Plus everyone needs to have a fall back career plan right?

Chugchilian is most well known to traveller's, who have heard of it at all, for the Laguna Quilatoa. One can either hike the Quilotoa track, through local villages for up to five days, or do day trips to the Quilatoa crater, to see the intensely aqua blue lake and then do a five hour hike back to your lodge. Like my parents did eight years ago, I opted for the day hike. As much as many of you consider me to be an adventurer I do really enjoy a comfortable and clean place to chill out at the end of a day.

Here's a look at where we started our walk at 3,800M... a relatively rare photo of me standing with my guide Miguel on the crater's edge.

The hike took us past hours of stunning views down to 2,800M and back up to 3,300M and a few landslides as well that had me chuckling about how I get into some unique situations when I travel. Below is a photo of part of the trail.




My travel companions were 60 year old twin sisters from northern England celebrating their birthday, who loved to hike and take verbal jabs at each other continueously - I mediated. I'll give you a moment to picture my day and all that it included. You can't make this stuff up right? 

The second Chugchilian adventure was spent mostly on horseback the following day through the Cloud Forest. My horse, Sol, was five years old and liked to lead the pack. I think he and I had a silent bond. He didn't race ahead unless any of the other horses threatened to try to take over and then it was game on. Fun times thanks to the anti-allergy pills I was given by a french girl back in Argentina months ago. Being in the cloud forest is magical. If you get te opportunity one day. Take It.
I can't imagine anyone regretting the experience.

Our guide Humberto was one of the best guides I have ever encountered and though he didn't really speak any English he was able to understand my spanglish and explained about the medicinal plants, hallucinegenic mushrooms and the lives of the native peoples clearly enough.

The cloud forest was one of my favourite patches of travel on this journey and I am thankful that my parents suggested the journey. After three nights in this slice of paradise it is sadly time to head back to Quito. In my way of feeling a little bit closer to B, I spent my last morning practicing some yoga as I mentioned in my last post...miss you B. xox