Otavalo – 
After having breakfast we take a taxi for 2 USD to the nearby waterfall “Peguche”. At this time there is not much going on yet, the sellers at the small booths at the village square still look at us rather sleepy.
The entrance to the waterfalls and the surrounding nature park is free. But you are welcome to leave a small donation. The way to the waterfalls is rather a short walk: The way is partly paved, there are several ways to the left and to the right. At one point there seems to be a kind of holiday camp for young people.
The park is slowly getting more and more crowded. It seems to be a popular excursion place for school classes. The hot springs, which as usual in Ecuador are built like a kind of swimming pool, are just being cleaned. Not a problem, after all it is quite warm today and we didn’t want to visit the springs anyway.
We arrive at the picturesque waterfall. Mario decides that he wants to take a photo directly under the waterfall. My remarks about the slippery stones and the rather bad combination with his flip-flops don’t stop him, so here are some waterfall photos.
And a dripping wet Mario, because under the waterfall actually means UNTER THE WATERFALL. The spray water resembles a heavy downpour actually. We have a little walk through the park. Lamas are grazing in one place. FINALLY, Lamas! Mario didn’t only feel betrayed about the palm trees he expected (Ena: “That is Colombia”) but also about the llamas (Ena: “That is Peru”). An overjoyed Mario now also gets to see some llamas.
On our way through the area we get more and more bothered by mosquitoes. Filthy pests. Unfortunately we forgot the repellent. I wear long trousers, but Mario’s legs get completely bitten. Of course we only see the sign with the insect spray for sale on our way back.
We make our way back and find a cute little bar in the small village of Peguche. A bit like an Irish Pub. We take a seat on the veranda on the first floor and enjoy some cold drinks and the Metallica Playlist.
To get back to Otavalo we take a taxi again. We’re not sure if we should have called one, but we’re lucky because there’s just one coming around the corner. The driver says he will leave in 20 minutes… Probably he was called by another group. But back to Otavalo it is not far. So he drives us right back quickly.
Ibarra –
We want to spend the afternoon in Ibarra. The buses from Otavalo run regularly, so the village is easy to reach. Arrived in Ibarra we are a little aimless, because we don’t know exactly where the city centre is.
So we simply walk straight on, but take a few wrong turns before we get to see something interesting. Ibarra doesn’t really impresses us that much. Moreover, it is actually too warm for a city stroll. Nevertheless we find an ice cafe with the famous “Helado de paila”.
The ice cream is made in large metal bowls which are placed on a mixture of ice cubes and straw. Delicious. We try a lot of different flavours. By the way, the ice cream parlour was set up in an old fire station, so that some typical objects – like a fire pole – are still present here. For the way back to the bus station we take a taxi.
We still have some time until the bus leaves. Mario strolls a bit around again and takes pictures. I get myself a Coke and immediately get into conversation with the locals again: This time with the vendor. Once again I experience that in Ecuador it is usually no problem at all to walk alone as a woman at train stations. Most people are simply nice and helpful.
Otavalo –
Back in Otavalo we notice how the hostel is filling up. Yes, tomorrow there will be a big market, and all the tourists are coming in crowds . We have something to eat in the restaurant “Buena Vista” and Mario is trying out the local craft beer some more.
