Ecuador 1

Ecuador is a relatively small country compared to most of its South American neighbors. Straddling the Equator that gives the country its name, it
has such a range of animal species that it is 1 of the 17 megadiverse countries in the world. With its first human population tracing back to almost
9,000 B.C.E., many cultures have stamped lasting impressions on Ecuador--particularly the Incan and Spanish Empires. But now its biggest tourist
attraction is the archipelago of The Galapagos, with hundreds of animal species, many unique to this ecological system. We also visited the
Bellavista Cloud Forest, Amazon Basin jungle at Napo, and Andes' still-active Avenue of the Volcanoes.

Quito - a UNESCO World Heritage Site - altitude 9,400 ft.

(Above Far L) We look up at one of the mountain ridges surrounding Quito's busy streets. (Above L) Plaza de Independencia is part of the Old City which beautifully preserves Ecuador's Spanish Colonial period starting in the 1500s. (Above C) The Basilica of Quito literally and figuratively towers over the Old City. (Above R) Carolyn and we walk through another lovely plaza surrounded by colonial buildings. (Above Far R) Reputedly the most beautiful church in Latin America, the Compana de Jesus. You'll have to take our word that it is truly beautiful since we could only take pictures outside.


Street scenes always intrigue me. (Above Far L) Young girls doing what young girls often do, gather to giggle and gossip with boys looking on jealously. (Above L) Store signs are very colorful, as one might expect. (Above C) Look down La Ronda, the street known for its nightlife, can be infamous like (Above R) The House of the Bad Black Woman. Soldiers dressed in the 1800s uniforms of the "Granaderos de Taqui" who fought to liberate the Republic.


(Above Far L) The Virgin of Quito aka of the Americas reigns down from one of many mountains above Quito, which is 9,400 ft. above sea level but the Teleferico cable car (Above L sign) took us to 14,000 ft., the top of one of the mountain ridges above the city. (Above C) Rick and Carolyn view Quito from the top of Lomo Cruz mountain above the top of the Teleferico. (Above R) Rick stands on Lomo Cruz mountain-top with other old volcano-tops behind him. (Above Far R) Though infrequent, a hailstorm covered streets and fields. made tunnels and down-sloped walks and streets treacherous and generally caused chaos for several hours in Quito.


(Above Far L) St. Augustin Cathedral is so beautiful that the declaration of the Republic was signed in it. Its grounds and Convent are well-preserved from the Spanish Colonial period and contain quite beautiful examples of what is known as the Quito School of Art, as can be seen (Above R) with Rick gazing up at a portico ceiling and (Above C) Carolyn looking at the portico's artwork. Nothing to do with St. Augustin (Above R) are 3 ceramic figurines of Jesuit monks that may look familiar but are unrelated (to the KKK) near the (Above Far R) courtyard dining room of our charming small hotel, Patio Andaluz, in Quito's Old City.

Guayaquil - Ecuador's Largest City and Main Port - 0 ft. altitude

After being 9,000 to 14,000 ft. above sea level, we fly into Guayaquil--at sea level. Our tour guide and other locals in Ecuador's largest city seem to resent being treated as the ugly step-sister of Quito. But compared to Quito's history and charm, Guayaquil is a non-descript but modern city since it has burned down so many times over the years. (Above Far L) An interesting sculpture of the early key political figures in Guayaquil. (Above L) The main Cathedral is next to a nice plaza with its perfunctory statue of Simon Bolivar, Ecuador's Great Liberator. (Above C) Rick and Carolyn pose on one of the calles (streets) being rejuvenated for tourism, near the Guayas River promenade. Numbered steps (Above R) lead up Santa Ana Cerro (hill) into Las Penas (Above Far R) ,the poor but colorful section of Guayaquil.


The most fun part of Guayaquil is Iguana Park, an open plaza in front of the main cathedral where over the years, iguanas have learned it is safe to wander. For a few years, that was not the case because imported Chinese workers would steal them in the night for food, but now with police patrols and closed circuit cameras at night, iguanas are safe again. (Above Far L) A little boy and iguana cautiously eye each other. (Above L) An iguana chills on a tree branch. (Above C) Another peeks out from his hiding place in a bush. (Above R) This iguana assesses us calmly. (Above Far R) 3 friends just hang out together.