Sabbatical 45

Day 1

I was supposed to continue towards Lake Quilotoa. The storm in the morning managed to persuade me to stay for another night. After all, you can’t say no for $20 a night all inclusive deal.

Leisurely woke up and strolled around town

Then dinner

Not a productive day but nevertheless, relaxing. Life isn’t a race

Day 2

The weather still wasn’t great. I decided to take a jeep to the lake and stayed at the lake for a night

my private room has a fire stove. how lovely. Though I ended up burning my clothes

Decided to loop around the lake

I stopped taking pictures since it started storming. I was completely soaked. Though, managed to dry my belongings at my hostel

Dinner was decent. Though I was really hungry so I asked for more rice

Day 3

Waking up on a sunny note

I decided to walk down to the lake

After that I checked out and went back to Latacunga

$2 snack. I didn’t bring enough cash and had to let the seller “borrow” my hostel key while I went to get cash. Trust in this part of the world really doesn’t exist

Later I met up with an Italian where I bumped into during the Quilotoa loop.

Of course, the most important thing at dinner is drinking a German beer.

Day 4

Cotopaxi here I come. Managed to book a tour with an Argentinian for $35 to tour Cotopaxi including a lunch, a private driver and a tour guide. The Argentinian is a mid-level manager at a telecom company, speaks good English and very well mannered just like everyone else from his country

I miss my long hair. Perhaps it just reminds of me being wild and free

Once we parked our car, we started trekking towards the base camp

The air is thin and it’s just amazing it’s not snowy or even icy at this altitude.

Last part of the hike was to walk towards the glacier

We came down just in time before the storm started. The last part of the tour was the lake which I didn’t enjoy as much due to the storm

We quickly had lunch and were dropped back to our hostel where I took a nap and ready for dinner gathering

Day 5

Travel day back to Quito. Found a Korean hostel to chill

After grabbing happy hours with the Italian, I headed back home to cook a bit

Day 6

Met up with the Italian guy to the most famous attraction Pichincha Volcano

Morning coffee at the terrace of my hostel where I could oversee the city park

Then it’s the cable car ride

Quito is actually small in comparison with other south American cities.

We went to Casa Museo Guayasamín.

I even spotted a gift from President Xi’s wife (Didn’t take a picture)

Dinner time!

To be honest, the Ceviche is a bit overrated.

Day 7

Botanical Garden day!

First was breakfast! Conchas de Negra! Delicious

Took a long walk to the Garden

It’s a weekend, so lots of locals

Happy hour food!

I, of course, made my own as well

Expenses

Week 45	Currency:	USD	1
Day	Food&Drink	Lodging	Transportation	Other (tickets/tours etc)	Day total	Country
1	$7.00	$20.00	$0.00	$0.00	$27.00	Ecuador
2	$3.00	$15.00	$5.00	$0.00	$23.00	Ecuador
3	$18.00	$11.00	$2.50	$4.00	$35.50	Ecuador
4	$14.25	$11.00	$0.00	$40.00	$65.25	Ecuador
5	$12.50	$10.00	$2.95	$0.10	$25.55	Ecuador
6	$31.00	$10.00	$5.00	$19.00	$65.00	Ecuador
7	$37.00	$10.00	$2.30	$0.00	$49.30	Ecuador
	$122.75	$87.00	$17.75	$63.10
	Total		Grand Total:	$290.60

Affordable?