When I first arrived in Riobamba I was excited to find an attractive railway station right in the middle of town and was looking forward to continuing my journey south from it. I soon discovered that the station is closed for repairs, but I am going to forgive them in this case because next year will see the opening of the entire line from Quito to Guyaquil. This will be the way to see Ecuador, on a line that passes high through the Andes. I'm just sorry I'm a year too early, but I did at least manage to take the tourist trip on the Devil's Nose section between Alausí and Sibambe where two switchbacks take the train up and down the side of a mountain.

The lack of train transport also made it difficult for me to get to the start of a three day Inca trail, but I didn't need much of an excuse as I was still feeling tired after the volcano climb. I settled for a bus directly to the ruins at Ingapirca - this is Ecuador's most important Inca site, and was an interesting stop.

Finally a night here in the cobbled streets of Cuenca with its interesting bars and restaurants rounds off a few well timed encounters with local street fiestas and weekend markets. But I am getting travel weary, so will take one more bus ride to a place where I'm hoping to take a few days rest.

Posted from Vilcabamba, 9th June 2012