Saturday 9th April:

After a hearty breakfast we set off North East to Otavalo, for the famous Saturday market. Well it was certainly large and with many of the stall holders wearing their traditional costumes. No outstanding photographs, unlike the wonderful market we visited in Kashgar, but three dollars buys us some of a group of market ladies.

The drive out took about two hours and we again crossed the equator into the northern hemisphere, spending time on the Pan-American highway, soon to be ridden by Mick Watts on his motor-bike. Lunch at a pleasant resort on the side of a large lake, but sadly I choose the wrong dish, a glutinous potato soup with pork skin, ugh! Having said that a starter of tomato, avocado and some pulses followed by a chocolate creation made up for it. 

Our accommodation for the next two nights is Hacienda Zuleta, the family farm and home of an ex-President of Ecuador, and having had very high expectations, find that it flatters to deceive. The room is small, with only the bed to sit on, it takes ten minutes to get hot water through the taps, and the sink has no plug. Tomorrow is a day at leisure, and we're not quite sure what we will do, the Condor project sounding the most appealing. It's very much an adventure venue with some 5,000 acres of land, parts of which rise to over 12,000.

Cycling, walking are options but I am still finding my heart racing when I expend any effort, and Lorna will not be able to join in. There is horse riding, even for a beginner like me, and a horse and trap for Lorna, but we're not yet decided and not in the right frame of mind.

One thing we did learn today is that bull fighting is still alive and practiced in Ecuador, and has been regularly practiced in the family.