NEWS # 018
Hi everyone!
After another twenty five minutes we arrive at the refuge, located just
below the snowline, at 4500 metres above sea level. It is very cold, but we
are very lucky in that there is very little cloud cover and we get some
excellent views of the summit.
From here, we are going to cycle down the volcano, eventually arriving at
the place where we entered the park, some 38 kilometres away. We all set off
at breakneck speed, followed by our guide who had given us instructions on
where to go. We stop several times to regroup, with one crazy guy going so
fast that we all feel that we will find him in a heap at some stage. At one
point we stop and notice that one of the quick release levers on one of the
bikes wheels had come undone and all that was stopping the wheel from coming
off was the rider's weight! thankfully no harm done.
We continue on for many kilometres and whilst we all have some dodgy
moments, no-one comes a cropper.
the trail goes on forever
There are several points where to trail becomes almost like riding on the
beach, with lots of sand and shingle where a stream has gone across
the path. At one point I am following one of the others quite closely and
she almost loses it on the shingle. I almost crash into the back of her and
we both race through nearly losing it together.
Eventually, we all make it back to the end of the trail and then continue
through a pine forest for the last few kilometres. We then help load the
bikes on the truck and head for home.
this van had a cow in the back!
I must say that this has been one of the most enjoyable days of my trip so
far and we are all buzzing by the end and despite being very tired, would
like to do the trail again. We get back to Quito and all meet up later at
the Magic Bean Restaurant (whose fruit juices have to be tasted to be
believed), for dinner. We exchange email addresses and say our goodbyes.
Am up at 8.00 today, Monday, for Spanish. Afterwards, I reconfirm my flight
to Lima, which takes 30 seconds but involves waiting in the queue for an
hour and a half, beforehand! I then go to the DHL office to find out how
much it will cost to send a large package of stuff home. It costs a fortune
and the only service that they offer gets it home in three days! Still, the
only other option involves sending it by the normal postal service which,
I've been told, can be a bit dodgy. So, being the only sensible option, I
use DFHL and send home ten kilos of stuff I've bought or not used thus far,
figuring that if I can survive without it for two months, I can survive
without it, period!
I decide to have a huge meal at the Internet cafe, the Papaya.net and feel
good. I have one more day in Ecuador and them I'm off to Peru. Will write
more as it happens.
Seeya,
Halesy
