Laguna Quilatoa
Once upon a time, there was a big volcanoe and it blew its top... right off. Now, I don't know where the top went but then water gathered to a depth of 250 metres. Now, it sparkles brilliant green like a jewel amongst the surrounding mountains. The steep crater walls are dark green against the jade waters and the brilliant blue sky. Everywhere there`s sheep, llamas and mules speckling the landscape.

That`s where I`ve been for the last few days. Scuttling up and down the crater wall (a heavy climb to say the least) and chatting with the locals and teaching them to play frisbee.

Around 2:00 pm the clouds decend like clockwork and you`d never know there was a spectacular lagoon amongst the clouds. Then the gringos head into the kitchen to chat in a multitude of languages and play cards and other games.

Dinner is a fixed menu of potato soup, deep fried eggs, rice and boiled-to-death vegetables. The dog was definitely my friend by the end of the stay. Breakfast was stale bread, cheese (well, kinda) and more eggs. Guinea pig was an option too (for dinner) but no thanks.

Shores of Laguna Quilatoa.
The rooms were so basic that many of you would recoil. Just a cement box with big beds throughout the room, a bare lightbulb and a large square fireplace that smoked a lot. But there`s a lot to be said for basic, and falling asleep watching the crackling fire and smelling the burning eucalyptus wood was very pleasant.

Some great people were hanging out at the Quilatoa Cabanas, one of which was a French geologist who is a caving guide in France. What I caught of the conversation was intriguing... too bad my French sucks.
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