Day 16 - Otavalo and surrounding area
We started todays tour to Otavalo and the surrounding area at 8.00 when Miriam picked us up from the hotel.
The first stop was the equator line and it was surprisingly chilly here. We didn't go to the normal tourist monument (which is actually 200m away from the real equator) but we went to another point which has a giant sundial and a line that marks the actual equator. I can confirm it was the equator because the GPS latitude reading on my camera showed 0 degrees 00' 00". Our guide told us that ancient civilisations had also mapped the equator because so many archaeology sites have been found on this line. At this point the stars in both the northern and southern hemisphere can be seen and it is highly likely we will see this clearly in the Galapagos islands as there is no light pollution. Ecuador is the only country where snow falls on the equator. This is on nearby Cayambe volcano which is at 5790 meters altitude and is the highest point that the equator runs though.
We then drove on to a café and gift shop at Imbabura with views over a distant lake for a mid morning coffee. There were some lovely views over the lake and mountains. Miriam got the coffees and also some local traditional biscuits called.Bizcochos and presented me with a rose (grown locally) for World Woman Day. I hadn't realised. We wont be able to take it to Galapagos so I will give it back to her when she collects us for the airport on Tuesday.
Next stop was a bird rescue and education centre called Condor Park which is at 3000m. Here they take in injured birds of prey who have been shot or poisoned by farmers who wrongly believe that they will kill livestock. Most birds are healed and returned to the wild but some were so young when they arrived that they can no longer survive without humans so are kept by the park. There were 2 Condors in a large enclosure that had been brought to the park with gunshot wounds. We attended a bird of prey display in a little amphitheatre where we saw Caranculated Cara Cara, American Kestrel, Black Chested Buzzard Eagle and a Barn Owl. They also run a program of education to local farmers to try and stop them from killing these beautiful birds.
From here we went into the town of Otavalo where there is a weekend market with many stalls selling local crafts including clothes, tapestries, jewellery and paintings. We bought a t shirt each although really don't have the space for more clothes.
We then went to a local restaurant high in the hill overlooking the town for lunch.
In the afternoon we visited a tapestry workshop and then an Andean music centre before returning to Quito.
We were both extremely tired so had a quick bite to eat and an early night.
The first stop was the equator line and it was surprisingly chilly here. We didn't go to the normal tourist monument (which is actually 200m away from the real equator) but we went to another point which has a giant sundial and a line that marks the actual equator. I can confirm it was the equator because the GPS latitude reading on my camera showed 0 degrees 00' 00". Our guide told us that ancient civilisations had also mapped the equator because so many archaeology sites have been found on this line. At this point the stars in both the northern and southern hemisphere can be seen and it is highly likely we will see this clearly in the Galapagos islands as there is no light pollution. Ecuador is the only country where snow falls on the equator. This is on nearby Cayambe volcano which is at 5790 meters altitude and is the highest point that the equator runs though.
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| Middle of the World sign at the equator |
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| Sign showing the Sundial |
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Paul and I on the equator. I am in the Southern Hemisphere and
Paul is in the Northern Hemisphere
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The Equator.
The shadow is from the tower and was taken at 9.30 in the morning.
If we had stayed until midday there would have been no shadow.
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We then drove on to a café and gift shop at Imbabura with views over a distant lake for a mid morning coffee. There were some lovely views over the lake and mountains. Miriam got the coffees and also some local traditional biscuits called.Bizcochos and presented me with a rose (grown locally) for World Woman Day. I hadn't realised. We wont be able to take it to Galapagos so I will give it back to her when she collects us for the airport on Tuesday.
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| My rose for World Womans Day |
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| View from Mira Lago Cafe |
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| View from Mira Lago Cafe |
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| Llamas at Mira Lago Cafe |
Next stop was a bird rescue and education centre called Condor Park which is at 3000m. Here they take in injured birds of prey who have been shot or poisoned by farmers who wrongly believe that they will kill livestock. Most birds are healed and returned to the wild but some were so young when they arrived that they can no longer survive without humans so are kept by the park. There were 2 Condors in a large enclosure that had been brought to the park with gunshot wounds. We attended a bird of prey display in a little amphitheatre where we saw Caranculated Cara Cara, American Kestrel, Black Chested Buzzard Eagle and a Barn Owl. They also run a program of education to local farmers to try and stop them from killing these beautiful birds.
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| Orchids at Condor Park |
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| Male Condor recovering from injury |
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| Female Condor recovering from injury |
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| Caranculated Cara Cara |
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| American Barn Owl |
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| Black Breasted Buzzard Eagle |
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| Americal Kestral. |
From here we went into the town of Otavalo where there is a weekend market with many stalls selling local crafts including clothes, tapestries, jewellery and paintings. We bought a t shirt each although really don't have the space for more clothes.
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| Otavalo Market |
We then went to a local restaurant high in the hill overlooking the town for lunch.
In the afternoon we visited a tapestry workshop and then an Andean music centre before returning to Quito.
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| Tapestry Workshop |
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| Andean Music Centre - Pan Pipes |
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Rainmaker. This is an instrument filled with rounded pieces of marble.
When turned they give the sound of falling rain.
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We were both extremely tired so had a quick bite to eat and an early night.
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