PHOTO ALBUM —>> https://photos.app.goo.gl/FPVpTx7EEKb4qCkB8
July 18th and our 12 day in Ecuador
Milton arrived bright and early to drive us to our destination. The 1st part of our drive was once again along the Pan American highway.
In Ecuador this is a very impressive highway and well maintained as it carries the majority of the traffic through the South American countries.
So, when Milton started bird spotting the great condor as he was driving, John got very nervous. Me, I was just amazed that Milton could drive and spot the birds way, way off when I couldn’t see a thing. Milton spotted a condor, he found a straight stretch and pulled to the side, (there are no lay byes), and out we all got to bird watch and spot.
Sure enough way above us soaring in the skies were a pair of condors. I did manage to get a photo of the distant birds, Milton was just so excited, John was relieved to get the bird spotting over.
“The Andean condor is a giant South American Cathartid vulture and is the only member of the genus Vultur. Found in the Andes mountains and adjacent Pacific coasts of western South America, the Andean condor is the largest flying bird in the world by combined measurement of weight and wingspan.”
There are fewer than 100 left in Ecuador, a century ago there were several thousand. We were quite thrilled to have seen several condors during our travels in Ecuador.
Our journey took us past some very beautiful and dramatic volcanic scenery, high, high up in the Andes. Our final destination was the:
Papallacta hot springs
Papallacta is a small Ecuadorian highlands village located about 1.5 hours away from Quito. The village is known for its famous hot springs. At an altitude of 3.220 m / 10,562 ft. Papallacta has several thermal water pools hot springs that are fed by the nearby volcano Antisana (5758m/18.891ft), the 4th highest in Ecuador.
I was really quite apprehensive about the entire idea of the visit. 1st, it was cold and I knew that without clothing and only a bathing suit, it would be freezing cold. 2nd I was worried about my skin issues as Psoriasis has plagued me for a few years and there is no cure. 3rd I don’t really like pools. Anyway, I agreed to go for it, you only live once, so give it a try.
After arriving we paid the entry, hired towels, and a basket for our gear, found our way to the changing rooms, shared one for convenience and donned our bathing suits. We were there for several hours and lunch.
Next we took our basket to our locker locked up our personal items and found the pools.
Well what we thought were all the pools. The pool we chose to enter was HOT, but by slipping in slowly I felt very comfortable sitting in the toasty water. Probably as the air temperature was so cold. It was extremely enjoyable.
There was a cold pool behind us, John went for a dip in it and attested to how cold it felt.
After a while I felt so comfortable I went for a walk to take some photos. Following the pathways around I found many other pools.
The whole area was really lovely with beautiful flowers, humming birds galore, steam rising off of pools, folks having a wonderful time.
We had a very nice lunch a simple hotdog, I was so hungry it tasted wonderful!
So in the end It was a wonderful experience. Plus, it was like a miracle that a few days later my psoriasis was nearly all healed I had a few weeks of clear skin. (It has since returned)
Our return drive was passing by absolutely wonderful Andean mountain scenery. Milton stopped several times for us to get out and view the scene. One beautiful scene was the Laguna Papallacta.
However soon enough we were back on the Pan American and headed to Quito.
Passing shrines, roadside fruit stands, looking out at amazing mountain views, seeing snow covered peeks, looking at the amazing Ecuadorian countryside.
Once again I found as we approached the city the sight of Quito above us incredible.
It looked to be at the top of a mountain, but I knew it was just upon the mountainside.
“Traveling makes you humble. We see better the tiny place we occupy in the world. ” (Gustave Flaubert)
