Our GPS actually read 0'0'0', which was quite cool, as there's another popular tourist attraction called The Middle Of The World which claims to be on the equator but is actually a few hundred metres off it.
We stopped again a few kilometres further along in the town of Cayanbe to sample the local speciality, as recommended by our hacienda hosts, bizcotti and cheese.
We eventually arrived in Otavalo late afternoon - a bit late for any market action, so we decided to camp near a lake just outside the town.
It was deserted when we camped that night, but when we woke up, a couple of market stalls had been set up nearby; it was as if Otavalo market had come to us! We got a taste of what would be on offer and headed over.
(The Plaza Grande or main square in Quito.)
Saturday is the big day, when the market spills out in to the streets. We went on a Friday so just saw the central stalls. I'm guessing on Saturdays there are more stalls selling the same stuff to more people, so it's probably best for us that we went on a quieter day.
After a couple of hours browsing and a bit of haggling, we headed back to Quito. Big cities, especially ones in valleys (and therefore with steep roads) aren't very van-friendly, plus it was a challenge finding somewhere to park that had enough headroom. The car park we eventually ended up in didn't have enough headroom, but the attendants let us park outside the main bit.
The view from the top of the car park was pretty cool.
(Statue of Virgin Mary about to fly off a hill overlooking Quito)
I had a quick walk around Quito's old town while Paul recovered from shopping.
(One of Quito's oldest streets, La Ronda, recently renovated with lots of cafés and bakeries)
After a taxing day driving around Quito, we decided to head out of the city that night, destination: the coast!
