Magical Ecuador and the Countryside Part II Also a fantastic Giveaway From French Basketeer

Our wonderful lodgings at Hacienda Cuisin, purchased from the King of Spain a year before Cervantes wrote Don Quixote, originally encompassed over 100,000 acres, north of Quito in the lush Andean highlands. At 8,500 feet with the predictable equatorial sun, and rich volcanic soils,  the owner, Nicholas Millhouse has resurrected this old world eden. It is a perfect refuge or staging area to explore the dramatic countryside. 

The beauty of colonial architecture lies within the flow of interior and exterior space. Courtyards and gardens alternate between verdant sanctuaries and cozy firesides. 

Nicholas Millhouse has created a delightfully eclectic mix of English comfort, Andean crafts and ecclesiastical arts. The famed Ecuadorean roses are splashed around every single room, as if they were daisies.  

Orchids and bromeliads bloom profusely in the branches of over 1000 varieties of trees on the estate. The garden is a horizontal and vertical experience. 

Dinner was actually growing in the morning from the Hacienda gardens. I love soup, an unworthy name for my favorite detectible course. The fresh vegetable soups in Ecuador generate swoons. I need to mention the juice. We have never heard the names, or tasted these fruits at our designer grocery stores. I thought every exotic fruit on the planet was within reach---so not true.  The fresh fruit juice is so delicious I could  become diabetic.

Over 60 species of flowers from all over the world are cultivated in the gardens. 

17th century,
horse and carriage trammelled cobblestones, lead us through a door in the wall. Before we pass, into the garden, we are reminded to consider its dynamic opposite.

Our host is an avid collector of textiles from all over the world. If you are a fan (Jane Schott, you know I mean you) you are in for a treat. 

You can write your first novel here, or visit the famed Otavalo craft market, a largely indigenous town in the Imbabura Province of Ecuador. The town, which is in a valley, is surrounded by the peaks of Imbabura 4,630m, Cotacachi 4,995m, and Mojanda volcanoes.

Ramelle Pulitzer of New View Tours, who planned and organized our trip shared this photo.

The people of Otavalo are famous for their sweetness, although I will say, you pass houses with bars on the windows, with walls and gates.  We were firmly instructed to hold on to our wallets, but for once in my life, I had no trouble.

I wanted to give you a bird's eye view of the this dramatic volcanic valley. 

PHOTO SOURCE: Patricio Ramon

Every inch of arable space is feverishly cultivated by the indigenous population. When I tell you these hillsides are steep, I am not kidding. We walked along the brittle edge of the caldera on the right hand side. I had to sit down and make contact with the earth to orient myself.

You can hike around the massive lake, in the eco preserve, formed by an epic volcanic explosion over 3,000 years ago. I know most of you will forgive me if we took the short hike (we were at an altitude of 10,200 feet here), and went shopping in the famous Cotacachi, the center of Ecuador's leather industry, which is known for its polished calf skins. The whole town is bags, shoes, coats etc.. The prices are terrific.

I collided with the fiesta! How adorable are these girls? I missed photographing the attentive nuns coaxing them through their performance.

Ramelle and Michael Pulitzer, our hosts at New View Tours,  introduced us to Miguel Andrango the master traditional weaver

The local flora and some fauna, provide the natural dyes for the hand carded and spun wool.

Miguel spins on the walking loom, made by his father.

The maestro at his craft

Miguel and his daughter Luz Maria stand in front of the beautiful woven textile I purchased. I am humbled by the painstaking dedication to the process of their traditional art. It takes two months to wash, card, spin, dye and weave this remnant of the past.  Our small group was touched by their kindness and patience, describing this dying art.

More lost arts can be found in the workshops of San Antonio de Ibarra.

The upscale Galeria Latina, in Quito, has an astonishing array of the Andean crafts. I lust for a collection of these bad boys!

Andrea of French Basketeer has a generous giveaway for our Readers!

Go to Andrea's website and choose your favorite bag!

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