We started our tour
through Ecuador with a difficult cycling day. Still, there were positive
aspects: Not only it was dry, after about an hour of cycling the sun
really started to shine and we had to protect ourselves against the
sun. It took about 1,5 hour to leave the city. Once we were out of the
city we started with a decent of 35 km. During this decent there was
one 12 km long steep stretch downwards, we had to pause on our way down.
The cramp in our arms was getting too severe because we were continuously
using the brakes.
After these 35 km
we crossed the river and had to climb 35 km up again. This all went
reasonably smoothly, until the last 8 km. About 3 km before our destination
we paused. Our destination was Hacienda Guachala. 
We
were the only guests in the Hacienda, we took a nap in the hammock and
could eat at the fireplace. Our own room also had a fireplace that we
simply had to try.
The next morning the sky was blue and we went to Otavalo to visit the
Indian Market there. During the only shower we were having lunch in a
little café. The market was fun to walk but after little more than an
hour we had made the round for the second time and decided to go get our
bicycles and make a little tour.
On the
road from Otovalo to Pifo we arrived in EL Quinche, on Easter Friday (?)
They have some unfamiliar rituals there, Roman soldiers and purple people…
From Pifo to Pappallacta the road climbs 1400 m in 26 km. After 7 km we
arrived in a village where we could hitch a ride to the top. 
At 4070m we
got out of the truck and cycled down to Pappallacta. This village is situated
at an altitude of some 3300 m. Our reward was the last room in a hostelry
with thermal baths, we decided to stay for another day and changed to
a room with a view.
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