We headed for the hills! Off for 2 hikes up volcanoes. First to the taller one with a deep cauldera. Although the volcanic rocks are hard and sharp, the built ‘path’ was a necessity – it is extremely difficult to walk across the landscape. Once at the top, it would have been great to hike around it, but the winds were crazy and it was not well traveled. So we did a bit of the top, but turned back.
There isn’t much life here – lichens are the most significant plant life. However, the introduced squirrels are adorable and have adapted quite well. Once you stop walking, the ground starts to move as they come scrambling from everywhere and nowhere. We only fed them on the ground, but one German woman had them climbing all over her. Luckily they are very gentle.
The route down took us past some abandoned huts – probably from goat herders. Again, we could see rock walls through the landscape marking where plots of land end, and probably less successfully to try to contain the goats.
Next off to a natural cave – there are many here due to the nature of volcanic landscape. Then to our next hike which had fewer people this time; we came across perhaps 25-30 on the first one.
The route up was quite steep around one caldera and at the summit you were looking down into another one which was directly along side. The hike further along the sadde led to a 3rd cauldera. Each one was unique – one severe and round with mounds on the bottom, one blown out the side, and the third less pronounced.
The hike down took us near a gravel pit and a garbage dump – both on the outskirts of town. So strange to have such stark landscape next to population.
And I must mention the cyclists here – pretty much all on mountain bikes with fat tires and seated upright. They are engaging in serious cycling – long high hills on winding roads with long downhills and tight turns with vehicles sharing the narrow roads. Much to strenuous and nerve wracking for me thank you!!
Finally a well deserved meal back in El Cotillo – this time we ordered more sensibly. Once again an octopus dish was the highlight – this time caramelized with sweet potatoes – sooooo good! The building is actually the oldest in the village and was once a fisherman’s home. It has been very sympathetically restored – with one of the overhead lamps made from an inverted yucca trunk.
One last mention – yes, with all that hiking away from facilities, we are forced to use the outdoor ‘lava’-tory (sorry, pun intended).
