Quito, Otavalo & Mindo; Ecuador

---

We are continuing to branch out from our excellent base in Quito. Again we rented a lifeless Chevy Spark for the drive to Otavalo and Mindo, but it was economical; $10 for fuel for the 4 day trip.

Driving is a challenge here, potholes that are more like craters on roads that wind up or down mountains. 50km feels more like 200.

But it was worth it.

As usual, we'll let the photos tell the story.

Next: 5 days at La Selva Amazon Jungle Lodge.

---

Photos

Guayasamin Home/museum
This beautiful home of the late artist, Ecuador's best known, sits on a ridge high above Quito. The house is packed with his collections and paintings.

His studio
We took a guided tour which adds so much to the experience.

Paco de Lucia
A fascinating part of the tour was watching Guayasamin paint this portrait of the famous flamenco guitarist...using time lapse, we saw the complete creation.

Pre Columbian collection
The house was so large the many collections did not clutter it.

Otavalo & Mindo
Our road trip took us first to Otavalo, north of Quito, then Mindo, to the west.

The road to Otavalo
White knuckle drive all the way.

Riviera Sucre Hostal
We stayed 2 nights in this charming guesthouse in Otavalo.

Tourist at rest
The perfect little sitting area outside our room.

Otavalo market
Quite a jumble of genuine local crafts and crafty Chinese knockoffs.

Grilled corn
So many foods on offer.

Saturday market
Locals buy these huge seed pods and eat the contents as they wander through the market.

Ecuadorian hat
Not a Panama hat, as the locals are quick to point out.

Eerie!
The head in the foreground is that of local indigenous hero with the Catholic Church behind.

Condor Park
Just outside Otavalo is this fascinating sanctuary for raptors from all over North America. Several of the birds were released to demonstrate their flight skills...they returned for a treat of course.

Perfect setting
The birds were released to fly freely over this beautiful valley.

Harris hawk
Landed beside us to devour its treat, a scrap of meat.

Andean Condor wingspan
We are hoping to see these giants in the wild later in our trip to Peru.

Take off
This condor is in an enclosure large enough to allow it a short flight.

Mindo
The 120km drive took 4 hours to get to Mindo.
It is a magnet town for birders, hikers and river rafters.

Dragonfly Hostal, Mindo
Our home for 2 nights. The little town is full of assorted mutts. They rest up all day to be fit for the all night barking competition. They finally let up just as the roosters take over.

Around Mindo
Mindo measures its rainfall in meters. As a result the cloud forest vegetation its pretty spectacular.