Saturday 27.9.14 – Cotapaxi NP – Quito

Up early this morning, despite the opportunity for a sleep in, to soak in and capture the awesome views of Cotapaxi and then wander around the gardens in the hope to see some birds. We were up at 5.30 and went to see what was there. We saw a hummingbird briefly. Sue captured a shot a hummingbird – Black Tailed Trainbearer – of which she is justifiably proud, even Santiago – our Aurora guide and ornithologist was impressed.

Cotapaxi in the morning light.

The Hacienda Cotapaxipungo.

The fountain, serves as a compass.
Cotapaxi in the background. 

©Suzie Sloan

Sunrise colours, I think.

 The Black Tailed Trainbearer ©Suzie Sloan

The cloud is moving in.

Inside the social area of Hacienda Cotapaxipungo.

Following a served breakfast fruit and eggs, we left our luggage for Javier and the bus and we all loaded into 3 vans for our drive into Cotapaxi National Park – with good views of the Volcano etc, but impossible to take pics with van and dirty windows. Sue was sitting closer to the front and has some though.

Cherie and Suzie ready for breaky, views of Quito in
the background.

More inside the Hacienda.

Up close, Cotapaxi.

Stop at park entrance, in our vans, it was cold,
we bought some hats.

We then arrived at Lake Limpiopungo – an hour walk on offer, quite a few birds, but not really all that fantastic – Andean Teal, Andean Gulls etc, we walked part way round and back.

Birdlife at the Lake, an Andean Gull.

Walking around the lake.

Flowers around the lake.

An Andean duck or teal?

More small flowers.

There was ice in the reeds around the lake...it really
was cold.

©Suzie Sloan

Feeling not all that flash again today. From the lake to another stop at a cliff – I didn’t go. Had a cup of real Coca tea with Coca leaves instead of a tea bag.

Then we headed off towards Quito, stopping en route at a lovely old Hacienda for lunch.

Evidently an Inca building that was taken over by Spanish and became the Hacienda. There was a pretty interesting bathroom. It is a Hacienda you can stay at and the bathrooms for the rooms were pretty amazing.

Bathroom at the Hacienda.

©Suzie Sloan.

Then to Quito and back to the Patio Andaluz, we arrived at 4.00 OMG – this is record. It was raining quite heavily when we arrived, we quickly got our gear to the room and went out to buy a second little bag to leave some things in storage before Galapagos. Got a $10 bag, then some snack and toiletries at the supermarket. Finally some downtime – time to repack and re-organise for the Galapagos departure at 4.30am.

Dinner tonight was at the Plaza Grande Café in the square, beautiful meal of empanadas, beef and the most fun dessert. Dessert was delivered by Purple clad monks called Cucuruchos (think purple Klu Klux Klan) to the tolling of a bell, the desert was icecream with meringue, but served in a bowl over dry ice, so fog falling out onto the table. These monks were evidently penitents.

©Suzie Sloan.

©Suzie Sloan.

Home to put our cases out and then to bed.