July 5th, a group of 10 of us at the Inn decided that we were going to do the Laguna Quilotoa hike. On the trip was the family from Montreal: Patrick, Marie, Louis, Ophelie, and Emilie; Jen and Tony; a couple from Quebec City - Serge and Dominique, and me.

We all stuffed into the bed of a small pick up truck..it was a tight squeeze! The truck brought us to another truck that would take 5 of us. Since the family was already 5 people, we let them have the pick up truck.

The rest of us got on a truck used to haul stuff. It had wooden sides. We all stood up during the ride, and it was one hell of a bumpy ride!! First of all, the driver had trouble starting the truck. He would break really hard at times, so we had to hang on for dear life! The road was pretty rough and dusty as well.

We got to Laguna Quilotoa all in one piece, everyone covered in brown dust. The laguna is beautiful. It´s at 12,500 ft, and it´s a 20 km hike back...

We hiked around the crater, then down the side of the volcano, down into valleys and back up, to get back to Chugchilan. The hike kicked my ass. I wasn´t sure I was going to make it!! I lagged behind everyone else..well, the parents - Patrick and Marie were last, but I got back shortly before they did. Felt good to finish it!

The hike was very beautiful though. We stopped for lunch in a field of bluebonnets overlooking the mountains and a valley. Yes, bluebonnets in Ecuador! It was like a little piece of home :)