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February 12th 2007

Published: February 12th 2007

Hello to all friends old and new. Thought it was about time I gave you all an update on how things are going in life, work and travel here in Ecuador. I did intend to maintain a blog throughout my time here, but with limited access to (slow) computers, and with lots of work to be getting on with, time has not been on my side. I arrived in Quito at the end of November (luckily with only mild sid... Read Full Entry

Photos are below

Photos: 48, Displayed: 21

Volcan Pichincha

Near the start of the hike on volcan Pichincha. We were only going to walk to the electricity pylon that you can just about see on the top right...

Volcan Pichincha

OK, we're at the pylon. Shall we stay or shall we go?

Volcan Pichincha

View from the pylon

Having a rest

Kenny, Ivo and Sandra

Getting closer, getting cloudier

Volcan pichincha

Our group was getting bigger...but so were the clouds

Volcan Pichincha

Decision time - only the German girl (the only one properly kitted out) decided to carry on. Hope she was OK - 10 minutes later it began to hail!

Volcan Cayambe from "La Bola"

Cochasqui

"Pyramid" at the mysterious ruins of Cochasqui in the Northern Andes, which was believed to be a ceremonial centre and observatory for the Cara-Quitus. It is easy to believe that it was a special place, as there is a definite energy about it - for some reason walking uphill at altitude felt difficult everywhere else, but not here.

View from Cochasqui

View from Cochasqui towards Quito

You could make out El Panecillo (the bun-shaped hill in the middle of Quito) from here. It's believed that the Cara-Quitus communicated with Cochasqui from there.