Quilotoa and active volcanoes

August 29-30, 2015

While in Latacunga, I saw my 4th active volcano. (Arenal in Costa Rica, Kilauea in Hawaii, and Tungurahua in Baños, Ecuador) Cotopaxi is the world's highest volcano (at highest elevation, not tallest) and two years ago I went mountain biking down it, see that post here.

Now it's active again, and we visited my friend who lives right below. Maybe not the smartest thing geologically speaking, but it didn't blow. Unfortunately it was cloudy so we didn't have a great view of the vent. Dark ash clouds were visible though and I used my imagination.

We also went to Quilotoa lagoon with Fernando and his friend Gaby.  We stopped in a small town for lunch first.

 It's a big lake in the crater of another (inactive) volcano and was gorgeous.

We drove past some great topography to get there, including Cañon de Río Toachi.

I´ve got such a good, safe travel companion...

Quilotoa was an amazing view.

Sunglasses twins!

We hiked a little ways around the rim, which has a whole loop you can do.

Obligatory self timer shot

It was a lovely couple days, and once again fantastic to see Fernando again after 2 years.