We started the trip in the higlands above Quito which sits at an elevation of about 10,000 feet above sea level. First stop was at the cozy Hacienda El Porvenir in the Volcano Lands. It was also a great ranch and dairy that used some of the tourism profits to give back to the local community for such things as building schools. Ecuador is promoting eco-tourism and doing a great job. Personally, I felt it was doing better than Costa Rica because there was more cultural immersion. There were pure-bred rodeo bulls on the farm (the kind that run in Spain) and they have an attitude. We are all watching a chagra (Ecuadorian cowboy) chase away an agreesive bull in the picture to the right.

The Hacienda was a favorite for all of us. We got to dress up in goat and llama chaps and wool ponchos for our horse ride through the volcano lands. Even though we were near the equator it was cold! We layered up with fleeces, sweaters, jackets, AND ponchos.