Wow!
Today we hiked 14k around the mountains and lagoon of Cotopaxi.
We arrived 30mins before the place opened but the kind guard let us
in at 7:30am so we could make a start (we were told the winds get harder in the afternoon and to go early).
After less than a minute of starting to climb the steps my heart was beating out of its chest and my lungs were screaming for air.
This hike was going to be a challenging one!
It was only a few minutes later when we read a sign saying the highest point of the mountain was 14,000 feet above sea level that I felt better about being out of breath! (This was not going to be like walking in the New Forest!).
For the first 30 mins the walk was along narrow pathways of approx 40 degree angles. From the right came winds that blew you closer to the edge which, less than a foot away dropped into nothing.
Underfoot were rocks and dirt that easily gave way and I'm not ashamed to admit that I was very disconcerted!
Ahead were the mountains which we needed to hike up to walk the entire way around the lagoon below.
Thankfully after the first hour the path took us behind the largest mountain (I thought we'd have to hike up the front of it which looked super frightening!).
Taking regular stops for photos and rest, Ian and I separated for a bit to enjoy the views and time for contemplation.
As the sun got warmer at points on the hike bees were busily working away.
I quickly learned that the bees were larger in number in shaded areas - my walking technique at these points became 'fingers in ears, coat zipped up and power walk through'.
That way I couldn't hear their buzzing and only took notice when they ricocheted off me......
At times the path was cut deep into the mountain so at eye level were bushes and grasses. This was quite scary as you could hear rustling inside them.
Having no clue of what might be in these bushes and having heard a number of strange noises from them I took to clapping my hands like a mad woman at any similar point in the hope that whatever was in there would be more frightened of me than I was of it!
A little while later I came across a sign that read 'these animals are protected. Do not kill them or eat them'.
Now that sign really got my imagination going!
The next 30 minutes were spent evaluating what type of animals I might come across and whether I could take them down or not.......
My list became:
1) Guinea pig - yeah, I could give taking that on a shot
2) Spider or Snake - not a hope in heck
3) Bees - zip coat and walk through
4) Mountain goat - try and drop kick it
5) Anything bigger than a goat - I'm a gonna
After walking alone for about 45 minutes, Ian and I met up again and carried on walking until we came to a small road which appeared to be the our only option to walk.
For at least a couple of miles this small road turned into a large dusty one with workmen were building on.
For a while we thought we had taken a wrong turn but after a good 30mins we finally saw the start of the walk and thankfully realised we were on the right track and had made it! (In 3.5hrs!).

After the leather market we were then picked up and taken to Quito in readiness for our flight to the Amazon in the morning.