Welcome….. Please note that
you may SUBSCRIBE below to this Blog.
All my work is COPYRIGHT protected and may not be used in any way
without purchase, or without my permission.
Friday August 8, 2014
No, not in California.... Today I went with 10 others on a Chamber of Commerce tour to the Giron Valley then up to San Fernando, high up in the Andes. We pass a fork in the road to the Chorros of Giron 4 kms (waterfalls) but we could not talk the Chamber guy into letting us go to the waterfalls.... bummer!
We stopped briefly at the center square of San Fernando dominated by a blue-domed church that is being restored. I was the last tourist in the church when two workmen asked me if I wanted to see some antique machine up in the belfry. I thought they were talking about an old washing machine, which made no sense, but I was intrigued anyway. We climbed up a metal circular staircase and then up a tiny ladder to get behind the clocks in the belfry. This turned out to actually be the highlight of the trip because what they were showing me was the very ancient clockworks, all oiled and accurately operating the four clocks in the belfry! Heavy cement and cast iron weights provided the power and nylon ropes allowed the manual ringing of the bells. The men said the chimes operated on the half-hour but I honestly don't recall hearing the chimes. It was definitely something that most people would not see in their lifetimes.
We were heading to a lake about 10 kms away with supposedly magical and spiritual healing powers. Most of the road was perfectly new and smooth pavement. It wasn't the greatest weather day and it is a good mile or more to walk around the lake, much of it on elevated platforms above high Totora(cocha) reeds/grasses. The legend is that you feel much better after making the circle around the lake... duh. Oh well, we did feel better after a good walk.
Then lunch was at the Lago De Cristal Hosteria, in the middle of nowhere, overlooking a gorgeous valley, and accessed by a poorly marked, awful road. It was a lovely place, under construction still, which has paddle boats, horses, tiny zip line, and swings that extend out over the valley. Due to the accessibility of the location I doubt the have a very strong business. There were some other folks there who looked like Ecuadorians but they all spoke perfect English.. it turns out that they were all from New York City. The girls were having fun on the swings and I happened to catch a mishap, a fall by on girl who lost her grip on the handle. However she was up and at it again right away.
Everyone chose grilled chicken breast for lunch and it really was delicious as was the potato soup and the pistachio ice cream. We were supposed to while away 2 more hours of the afternoon there, so we played some pool and ping pong but soon we ll decided just to return.
We again tried to get the Chamber guy to agree to take the 4 kms fork to the Chorros of Giron but he still would not agree. I should have offered to pay... Anyway, the end result is that we all got home a little earlier after a decent little outing.
NOTE that you may click on any photo for an ENLARGED VIEW.
Hope you enjoy the photos. That was the day's excitement, Cheers, Al
 |
| The San Fernando church under renovation |
 |
| They were re-doing all the ceilings today |
 |
| A lovely mural in the baptistry at the rear |
 |
| A small side altar on the right side |
 |
| The amazing clockworks in the belfry |
 |
| Old, but cleaned and oiled and operating |
 |
| It even has a pendulum like an old Grandfather Clock |
 |
| The bells above, with blue nylon ropes for manual ringing |
 |
| I was fascinated by the cleanliness of it |
 |
| This sets the time of day, just before noon |
 |
| The weights drop down through the floor |
 |
| A view from the side roof |
 |
| We arrive at the San Fernando lake |
 |
| It is apparently called Laguna De Busa?? |
 |
| It is a decent sized mountain lake, don't know the elevation |
 |
| They call this mountain "God's Mountain". Not Mount Sinai... |
 |
| You can see a white egret to the left |
 |
| We walk over the high Totora(cocha) grasses on elevated platforms |
 |
| This give you an idea of how high we are... Mountain tops on horizon |
 |
| There are several tourist camping areas |
 |
| Looking back to God's Mountain |
 |
| Interesting vegetation way up here. |
 |
| Older lovers enjoying a quiet spot |
 |
| A small cove off the main lake |
 |
| Two llamas and a white horse for photo ops |
 |
| They seemed accustomed to posing |
 |
| The silly horse kept tangling himself around the supports |
 |
| A born poser was this lady.. |
 |
| This guy even smiled/grinned for the camera |
 |
| This is a llama, not an alpaca, according to the guide. |
 |
| Lovely framed view of the lake |
 |
| Another view from an elevated platform. |
 |
| Again, a view of God's Mountain |
 |
| A belly shot from a pier (lost my lens cap here). |
 |
| It really is refreshing to circle the lake. |
 |
| Again, the lovely God's Mountain |
 |
| A small wedding chapel on the site |
 |
| The youth always ask you to take their photos.. |
 |
| Bossy the cow didn't mind.. |
 |
| This tough young lady hefted that heavy pail of water |
 |
| A statue of Jesus (supposedly) walking on the water |
 |
| The egret and a duck |
 |
| Passing by San Fernando again |
 |
| Spectacular valley views everywhere |
 |
| It is very green, even this high in the Ecuadorian Andes |
 |
| Gotta love the mountains and valleys |
 |
| This is cattle country. Lots of natural feed everywhere. |
 |
| Loved this cute little domed peak. |
 |
| Arriving at Lago De Cristal Hosteria |
 |
| Poor girl lost her grip and crashed to the ground |
 |
| More safety on this swing out over the valley |
 |
| These New York girls were enjoying it all |
 |
| 3 can swing at a time. I wanted to try... |
 |
| The Hosteria looks over this magnificent valley |
 |
| This zip line is across the paddle boat pool |
 |
| The magnificent Giron valley |
