Thursday 15th January 2026: To Latacunga

Today was a moving on day.  We're actually only going down the road to Latacunga where we hope to go to Quilotoa crater lake.  The check out at Cuscungo Cotopaxi Lodge is mid afternoon.  We'd requested an early check in at Latacunga and asked Xavier to book us a taxi for 12 noon.  Well, we say taxi.  It was the car of one of the women who worked there.

Our accommodation is a few blocks away from the centre of town, on a major route full of restaurants. 

 The apartment has three bedrooms and three bathrooms and costs, with tax about $50 per night.

It is spacious but needs a good fettle.  Kevin gave the kitchen a good clean, which is something he always does.

About four we walked into town to a recommended restaurant called El Gringo y la Gorda - the foreigner and the fat lady.  

Latacunga is famous for its Chugchucaras. The dish is made with fried pork, mote, potatoes, fried ripe plantains, empanadas, toasted corn, canguil and crispy pork scratchings. It is accompanied by ají, a spicy sauce made with hot peppers, tomatoes, cilantro and onions

The old centre is pretty small but with some attractive buildings, and statues.

One thing which is great, and which we have used in other south arican towns is free WiFi in the main plaza.  As neither of our phones work over here, logging on to the public network has helped us find accommodation etc.

El Gaucho y La Gorda was based in an old building with a beautiful inner courtyard. One of Joan's favourite drinks is a Pisco Sour (without the egg froth) andthe one here was particularly lip puckering.

Our meal came.  Kevin had the house sandwich, a Leviathan of a meal with fried eggs, queso fresco and coleslaw with a side of chips. It was like an episode of Man vs Food. They also sold craft beer.  Joan had the Thai bowl, replete with avocado, beans, tomatoes and other goodies, also with chips.

It was so big Joan wanted to ask for a doggy bag but Google translate was a bit to literal: A bag of dogs.  However "cajita para llevar" did the trick.

Above is, there was an Equadorian flag.  It shares the same basic colours as the Columbian and Venezuelan flag, but with a different logo on it.  The flag features a horizontal tricolor of yellow, blue, and red, with the coat of arms in the centre.

Yellow symbolizes the fertility of the land and the sun.

Blue represents the sky and the ocean.

Red signifies the blood of those who fought for independence.

The coat of arms includes a condor, Mount Chimborazo, a steamboat on the Guayas River, and a golden sun, reflecting Ecuador's natural beauty and historical significance.

As it was going dark, we headed back to our apartment.  The streets were just coming alive with street food sellers, and people going for a stroll.

Our host turned up at 9 pm, just as we were thinking of going to bed.  He didn't speak any English but, as ever, we got through and met his super cute little girl.

View from the balcony.