quilotoa

Cratered Lake

"Because in the end, you won’t remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn..."

Looking back, I am glad my curiosity for what's around the corner peaked at the right time: when I had both the income to travel and when my passion for photography grew. The travel has given me a rich treasure trove of memories and experiences that, accumulated over time, I value more than income I have earned.

Waking up that early morning a few years ago on that tiny village perched over the lip of Laguna Quilotoa proved to be a fortunate choice: I was able to witness a truly amazing spectacle in Ecuador: a glistening blue lake amidst the rugged Andean terrain forming the volcanic spine of the country. This, along with the day-long hike around the lake, is one such experience I will never forget.

Laguna Quilotoa

Cotopaxi Province, Ecuador

Walking the Plank

It was a cold and foggy morning when I awoke that morning in my hotel. My upset tummy hadn't subsided, and the effects of the high altitude were still there. I didn't want to get out of my bed, but I forced myself to and embarked on the 10mi loop of Laguna Quilotoa.

And I was glad I did, for the vistas I encountered were sublime, combining breath-taking scenery, high-alpine atmosphere, and the glistening lake in a volcanic crater. It was a visual treat to see this grand spectacle of geology stretching between the turquoise waters of the lake, the ragged walls of the crater, the tiny farms and fields on the outer slopes, dotted with distant Andean villages getting ready for the morning rituals just as the sun broke through the fog.

As I turn my sights once again towards the volcanic mountain ranges of Central and South America, I was reminded of this trek in Ecuador, and of the other dramatic volcanoes and the Andean range that forms the spine of the continent. And I can't wait to explore more of it.

Quilotoa
Cotopaxi Ecuador