Ecuador - Latacunga, Quiltoa Crater and Otavalo

A short bus ride of 2 hours passing the "avenue of volcanos" and Cotopaxi the highest active volcano in the world. Cotopaxi was mostly hidden by clouds when we drove past, but whilst staying in Latacunga we saw the volcano  early the next morning from the hotel

Latacunga itself is the base for the surrounding area and has little to see, some churches and the main plaza.

From here we did a daytrip to the volcanic crater lake of Quilotoa, passing the beautiful little village of Quilotoa. 

At an elevation of 4000m views over the landscape were stunning. It was also very windy.

We descended to the crater lake and enjoyed the silence and peace down there.

Going down was quite easy but going up the steep trek to the rim again was taking our breaths now and again. 

Moving on from the crater and heading  towards Columbia, we made an overnight stop in Otavalo to see the biggest market in South America. It takes place every Saturday on Plaza Poncha and the city center streets.

People are selling everything from souvenirs, table clothes, shoulder bags and other weavings, jewelry, clothes, wood and stone carvings, paintings, Panama hats and more. 

Otavalo is also known also for its indigenous population, the so-called otavalos. They wear a traditional dress: white pants and a dark poncho for men; a dark skirt and a white blouse with colourful embroidery and colourful waisteband for women. Both sexes wear their hair long (the men usually platted). Such a big divercity of products are sold. It has been interesting walking through and watching the people selling their items.