February 28 to March 4- Our Trip to Otavalo

On the Friday of our two week trip we left Mindo to go to Otavalo. Since our hostel mates, Kevin and his father David were also leaving for Otavalo on the same day, we decided to ride the bus together until Quito and then share a taxi the remainder of the way. We had read in Tripadvisor that if you got the bus to let you off near a huge traffic circle and a large mall before you get to Quito, you would save many kilometers and of course, time in getting to our next destination. See the following: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g294307-i2253-k2117975-Mindo_to_Otavalo-Ecuador.html

This actually worked! The bus driver knew what we were talking about and let us off at the correct location about an hour and a half into the trip. We all had a quick lunch in the mall and then proceeded to find a taxi large enough to take four of us plus our luggage. The taxi ride cost us $60 and the trip took approximately 2 hours driving through very pretty countryside. We had the driver drop us off in downtown Otavalo since not only were we going to different hostels but our driver was not familiar with this town at all.

Another short taxi ride later, Uwe and I arrived at our home for the next 4 nights- Posada del Quinde http://posadaquinde.com/ , a beautiful hotel at the edge of town. This place was gorgeous!

                  Very pretty grounds with many birds especially humming birds

                                A wonderful dining room with a delicious menu and breakfast included

                                  Our entertainment for our first night’s dinner

The next day was Saturday and the day of the weekly huge craft market. WOW! This was amazing. And huge! We had really not wanted to buy much but ……

                               At 10AM in the morning the market was still very empty

                                         So many beautiful things

                        Finally the wool I needed to start my crochet work- no more excuses

Needless to say, we left several hours later with bags of stuff including a new backpack to help carry it all home.

Being shopped out- LOL- the next day we decided to go to the Condor Refuge Park  http://www.vivatravelguides.com/south-america/ecuador/andean-highlands/northern-andes/otavalo/otavalo-activities/parque-condor-otavalo/

Our hotel ordered us a taxi $10/round trip and after a very scenic but short drive dropped us off at the park. This place was awesome, very clean, with many different birds displayed. We toured the entire park taking lots of pictures of not only the birds but the amazing scenery of the nearby towns including Otavalo plus lakes and volcanos.

                                                  Some of the resident birds

                                                     Views of Otavalo

                                                        More scenery

                                           The nearby lake San Pablo- beautiful!

Next we went to the arena to watch the raptor show. The person displaying the birds showed at least 4 of which 2 went for long flights only to return to his arm on command. Thrilling!

                                                     Waiting for the show to start

Some of the raptors- the entire show was in Spanish so practice your understanding!

                                                        

On the ride back to town our taxi driver showed us some of the organic crops grown around this area. One of them was our favorite- quinoa. He explained that when it grew higher and turned yellow- then it was harvest time.

                                                              The immature quinoa

                                                                      Ready to harvest

On Monday we decided to ride the local bus to Cotacachi. This town we had read much about was located only 19 kilometers away. Leaving the Otavalo bus station, our ride was only 25C and we arrived 20 minutes later.

Unless you are really into buying leather goods, there is not much else there. The main street is lined on both sides with blocks and blocks of high end looking stores selling all kinds of leather goods- shoes, purses, coats, wallets, briefcases etc, you name it, they sold it and all for what we were told were bargain prices. So if leather goods are what you want this is your place!

                                                    One of the many leather stores

 

                                             Some street scenes

                                                 The main church square

Not really wanted any leather goods, Uwe and I found a cute Mexican restaurant and after lunch headed back to our hotel.

We had ordered a taxi to take us to our next destination, Ibarra, for Tuesday for $16. First we had our last meal at the hotel'S most excellent restaurant.

And we said good bye to our host, Maggie, the wonderful owner here with one of her employees.

Of all the places visited on this trip, Otavalo was our favorite and we will be sure to return.