Ecuador, finally...

We're finally writing our Ecuador entry. Unfortunately we were waylaid when our packs were stolen from the car in our first hour in Peru. We've now replaced most of our things,  including a new tablet, and are finally able to update the blog.
The most exciting change when we first crossed the border was the price of fuel. Its about 35 cents a litre! We first drove a big loop through the Ecuadorian mountains and Amazon region before heading out to the coast and south.

First morning above 3000m and the van didn't want to go...

A local mechanic came to help us out and refused payment. Mountain folk are always the most friendly in our experience. 

The Otavalo art market is gigantic, brimming with alpaca and llama products.

Breaky on the ping pong table.

First time at 5000m! We hiked up to the crater lake without a hitch but suffered some altitude sickness on the way down.

Nice view.

We actually had to move quickly on the hike as we were held up by a cowboy parade in a tiny town on the way up!

Another pretty spot we found whilst hiking near Otavalo. 

We picked up some hitchhiking inkas with market produce and all. I don't think they ever have money however,  they always offer to pay us.

Inside the Capilla in Quito. Where's Laura?

A view from the top of the spire, possibly the most sketchy climb of our lives. "Sure, pay your dollar and up you go".

We also visited the middle of the world!

Laura playing tomb raider. 

Making chocolate from scratch. We spent a week at a yoga-hare-krishna-eco farm. Heaps of fun, great people, nothing but raw produce fruit and vegetables and real cacao chocolate! 

We picked, dried, roasted, peeled, ground, juiced, cooked, mixed and moulded the cacao. It took about a week but the results were delicious! 

Storm coming in the Amazon.

Breakfast on the farm.

Me with Justin and Tripurari, 3 amigos.

And out to the coast. This is Canoa, probably our favourite beach town in Ecuador. 

Gormet road tripping.  After Canoa we camped our way down the Ecuadorian coast, occasionally awoken by police, just checking that we were ok...

After 5 months without brie, we treated ourselves. 

This little guy was working hard for the family business. 

Nuff said.

Puerto Lopez from the mirador.

Camping by a river near Aguas Blancas, all the local pigs, donkeys and horses came down for a drink.

Touring Aguas Blancas with our Latino-sized guide.

Best cider of our lives in Montanita! Fish tacos also, for the first time since Mexico. 

Currently sitting in Starbucks,  Cusco, the only reasonable Internet we can find. After 6 weeks in Peru and multiple attempts,  this is the first time we've been able to post this update, and we're leaving for Bolivia... Hopes aren't high for improved infrastructure. 

Hasta luego.