Where are we...
18th April 2007 - Cali, Colombia
Our final evening in Baños involved watching the active volcano Tungurahua spitting bright red sparks into the night sky - quite an attraction for us but a real headache for the residents who have seen their tourist industry plummet as visitors choose to visit less volatile areas of the country. The following morning we headed to Riobamba - starting point of one of South America's most thrilling train journeys, El Nariz del Diablo. Unfortunately, due to a workers' strike, the train was temporarily out of action but we still had the opportunity to work with El Tren Dorado, an interesting hotel near the station. 
Heading back to Quito, we met up with Moggely Tours who invited us to their acclimatization hostel just outside the Cotopaxi national park. Here we where were well looked after by Agusto and Edwin of Hostel Valhalla. Kim returned to Quito and I continued with a further two day acclimatization program before attempting the 5897m Cotopaxi climb. Unfortunately for us, at 5300m we had to return as the risk of an avalanche was too great to continue. In the same week, several avalanches had occurred with climbers being swept down the mountain - luckily all escaped in one piece with nothing more than a few bruises and a bashed ego.
Heading back to Otavalo, we rested up for a week or so before returning to Colombia to complete our work in the south. Our first stop was just over the border in Ipiales to visit one of the most spectacular churches in the Americas - El Sanctuario de las Lajas. Perched over a deep gorge in the Andes this incredible structure has seen an astonishing number of miracles including a two-headed sheep which is housed in the museum below!
Continuing further north, we made a stop in Pasto, Colombia's agricultural centre where we worked with Koala Inn. Luis, the friendly manager, also introduced us to Max from Wax Palm Finca who invited us to experience the area's typical farming lifestyle including fishing for our dinner, milking cows and making cheese.We are now in Cali, the salsa capital of Colombia working with two backpacker favourite hostels - Iguana Hostel and Calidad House. At the weekend, we make tracks for Ecuador again visiting San Agustin and Popayan on the way.
Catherine Baker has now arrived in Costa Rica and is taking charge of the new Central America section. We hope to have this up and running in the next month or so.
