Had the best internet connect since we arrived in Ecuador so got
the blog and photos up to date. The cows were being
hand milked in the paddocks around us.About 11am we drove down to the Ingapirca archaeology site. Supposed to be the largest best preserved in Ecuador. Could only enter with a guide the cost of entrance US$2 each. A very well maintained site.
The locals the Canari
peoples could not be overthrown by force so the Inca married their
princess. Although the Canari were outnumbered they were allowed to
keep their customs separate.The Inca built over the Canari’s foundations. The Canari used river rock and built in circles the Inca volcanic and squares. The Sun temple is oval and 26m long the biggest and only oval sun temple in the entire Inca empire. We had a sandwich in the carpark and left for the south end of Cajas Nacional parque.
Our drive went
through a big dairy area most cattle tethered in their paddock. So
maybe herds of 20 all milked by hand in the paddock. John saw a
billboard advertising an in-paddock four cup milker…
Milk was put into
milk cans and then when the small tanker arrived tipped into it.
Some of the cows are
tethered by a nose ring others by a halter or rope around horns.
Successfully by-passed Cuenca to the east and south. The witch then took us on second
rate yellow roads through some villages. Finally popped out onto a
better grade road which was yellow but sealed. The seal only lasted a
short time and the next 40km on dirt. Found the park entrance at 4pm.
The security guard, with pistol on hip, got us to registered then we
looked at the wall map and learnt what we could and couldn't do. The
road travels the park boundary for a while then continues to the
coast. We asked about another white road heading south and it seems
that it goes through so we will leave by that route.
As we climbed the
vegetation changed to wet lands/tundra looking cover. Found a
parking area at the beginning of a walk to some lakes so set up camp
there. A hummingbird came
and checked me out. Went for a small walk up a hill just in case
tomorrow s weather is inclement.