Alausi and the "must-do" train ride - September 2005
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Into Alausi via Ingapirca - the "must-see" Ecuadorian Incan ruins. After Macchu Picchu and the ruins in Peru they were far less amazing. There was an interesting temple of the sun which was
Into Alausi via Ingapirca - the "must-see" Ecuadorian Incan ruins. After Macchu Picchu and the ruins in Peru they were far less amazing. There was an interesting temple of the sun which was in an unusual oval shape and some baths on top of hill where the Incas did their usual playing with water in canals and pools, more for luxury than for any religious purpose.
Alausi is a very small town where we headed to go on the "must-do" ecuadorian train ride (the Devil's nose), or what's left of it. Despite being a small town, we managed to find the best Chinese restaurant (the only Chinese, or Chifa as it is known here, that we have tested so far), run by Chinese people and their small child whom the locals called Chifa.
Anyway, onto the train ride. The train pulled into the Alausi station filled with tourists young and old. We were completing the section of the ride called Nez del Diablo (the Devil's Nose) which is a 300m drop using a series of switchbacks to coast downwards and upwards. One particularly keen german - kitted up with 2 cameras, khaki hiking pants, tucked in shirt and bandana - decided it would be a good idea to stand up on the roof (the only sitting space on the train) and take photos. Needless to say, she almost fell off the roof several times with Theo and myself secretly wishing her to do so.
The train only derailed once along the way to the satisfaction of all the tourists, who immediately jumped off the train and started taking photos - a great excitement. The train ended at the bottom of the hill in the middle of nowhere, with no further complications. The rest of the tracks to Guayquil have been destroyed by various earthquakes and floods. So we started the ascent the same way we came down. I must say apart from the derailing it was a little bit of a let down we were expecting so much more! Maybe we have been spoiled with amazing scenery and monuments in the last few months. Oh well, onto Quito!
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