We spent the last 8 days at Hacienda La Alegria.
It is near the famous Cotopaxi volcano, just 1 hour south of Quito
Daily live involved …..
…helping to feed the calves,
cute foals,
Mr Clark(e?!?!) the donkey (who has the softest nose in the world),
and the odd poncho.
We rode out every day
round the local farmland
in spectacular scenery (and sometimes clouds).
We did a 2 day/overnight trek to the cloud forest
with more spectacular scenery……..and more clouds,
sometimes over tricky terrain.
We stayed overnight here.
There was no electricity, so we ate by candlelight (Dog and Monk joined us!).
We needed a proper hosedown by the time we got home!
We visited various markets over the week mostly cooing over fluffy animals,
and gawping at some less fluffy ones.
James found some new headgear…….
…..which is probably an improvement over his ballooning bouffant barnet!
10 thoughts on “Hacienda Alegria: our horsey home”
CBG
What great photos, it looks a wonderful place – and James now looks the complete horseman… We love keeping up with your adventures!
Charlotte
It was, and everyone grew in confidence a lot. I was grateful of the padded saddles!
Mary Herbert
And I love his hair ! Charlotte, we are hugely enjoying the Monico Travels..you ALL write so well…let alone RIDE well evidently…some of that terrain looks decidedly tricky. !
Not only are we learning a lot, but also admiring what you are doing…the girls will never be scared of anything again..(think of all those children and ADULTS) who run a mile from a teensyweensy British spider )
Really loving it…more please ! Love to you all, Mary xx
Charlotte
The hair goes in Buenos Aires – as soon as we can find a salon that has scissors as well as clippers! Lots of love to you all too, and thanks for reading. Xxx
Grandpa Suffolk
More brilliant stuff. Keep it coming, we really enjoy it. Lovely market fluffy animals, just wondering what their future was! I can’t believe it, still riding horses! Has anyone told Mr Clarke (The Donkey) about trains and walking on railway lines yet? Any skiing on Cotopaxi? Masses of love to all…….F
Charlotte
Mostly the pot, but apparently not ALWAYS! No skiing till Japan. The train only passes once a day – perhaps Mr Clarke is a smart timekeeper?!?! Lots of love to you. XxX
Susie Knox
James will have to join Ricky at Burning Man next year with that headgear!
Reading your blog is like taking a great, big, exhilarating lungful of oxygen 🙂
Thanks for sharing – we are loving it.
Love
Susie and the Knox gang x
Charlotte
Ha – so long as it’s nowhere near the girls who shrieked with embarrassment! Lots of love to you all. Good luck with the start of term. Xx
Chris Bunch
Outrageous hair!
V jealous of the trip though.
Auntie Heather
Wow that looks so awesome! I love the sound of a cloud forest. Is it always misty there?
I have always wanted to a visit a volcano – have you experienced any earth quakes on your journey so far?