Not only was this my first trip to Ecuador but also my first time joining a tour group. A group of about twenty travelers brought together by the lure of Galapagos and a trip south of the equator! It was fun to meet fellow travelers from different parts of the world. It was a busy two weeks but I'll try to share the highlights with you.
Keep your travel wish list handy and thanks for allowing me to share my adventure.
Our itinerary included visits to Quito, Banos, Riobamba, Cuenca and Guayaquil on the mainland. We then flew to the Galapagos Islands. While in the archipelago of volcanic islands we stayed on Santa Cruz and San Cristobal Islands. A day tour allowed us to explore the uninhabited island of South La Plaza Island.
We were welcomed to Quito with this view from our hotel room!
Quito is high in the Andean foothills. Breakfast with a view of the rolling fog lifting was an amazing way to start my day. Fog is also known as "cloud of rain". Moisture from the fog is enough to raise crops.
A few miles from Quito is The Middle of the World Museum marking the equator. Although there is some controversy about where the exact equator should be marked the museum is an excellent place to learn about culture, geography and that I'm an egg-master! See the photo below-yes I have a certificate to prove my accomplishment!
One foot north of the equator and one foot south of the equator!
Sunrise breakfast before leaving Quito for our road trip to Banos.
Here I am at an elevation of 14,500 feet. That personal record was broken a few days later!
Quilotoa Lake; in a volcanic crater and near Cotopaxi National Park
The beautiful color of the water is because of the high mineral content of the volcanic terrain.
Next stop...Banos! Amazon basin and a subtropical area known for hot springs and waterfalls.
Visiting as the Easter holiday was approaching we had the opportunity to witness the pilgrimage to the Banos hot springs dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Thousands of residents from the surrounding rural area walked through the night and arrived at the hot springs at dawn. Incidentally the hot springs were across the street from our hotel! The festivities were our wake up call!
Banos was also home of the chiva ride....and oh what a ride it was! At one of the chiva stops my friend zip-lined.
Our Chiva
My chiva back seat friends. Yes, there was a pole and yes there was dancing!
Ready for zip-lining!
The indigenous people of Ecuador belong to many regional groups. We learned that the groups have worked together, keeping their own identities and languages as they work towards common goals. The talents often result in beautiful hand crafted items. In Banos we were able to see a demonstration of Tagua which is also known as vegetable ivory. Beautiful jewelry, statues, bowls and even buttons are crafted from the vegetable.
More volcanoes to see as we continue our travels on the avenue of the volcanoes in the Andes. The highest volcano in Ecuador is El Chimborazo.
Learn more; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimborazo
At the elevation of 20,500 feet many climbers attempt to reach the summit.
Our view was from 15, 428 feet which is a personal record for me!
This region is also home to the Chuquiirhara flower which has a symbolic relationship with the Oreotrochilus Chimborazo humming bird. This is the only species that has adapted to feeding on this flower.
15,428 Feet Elevation-a record for me
Along our route we stopped at a cooperative community founded by a priest - Palacio Real.
We were treated to a traditional lunch which for those who wanted to try it included llama meat. I opted for the vegetation lunch.
Below are some scenes from Riobamba - in the center of Equador on our way to the coast.
As we headed to Cuenca we visited a school in the small town of Guamote. Hotel revenue and retail sales fund the school. This was a surprise addition to our itinerary and I really enjoyed it. Since it was a Sunday there weren't students present but the staff showed us classrooms and treated us to fresh empanadas.
This was the school library. Libraries are not yet part of the culture. Change takes generations and this is a start.
Our full itinerary included visiting Ingapirca, the largest and most well preserved Inca ruins in Ecuador.
Devil's Nose Mountain has almost perpendicular walls and creating this section of the trans-Andean railway was an engineering feat.
Learn more; Devil's Nose Train
Cuenca was one of our favorite cities. Beautiful town square and a perfect climate. We learned that it is also a favorite of ex-pats. From Cuenca we headed to Guayaquil where we would depart for the Galapagos Islands! Along the way we stopped at a local cocoa community and learned the process of making chocolate from the cacao tree. Guess who helped with the demonstration? Check the photos below and you'll find out.
Panama hats are actually made in Ecuador. This was a hat workshop and store in Cuenca.
And sometimes you order one pancake (or so you believe) and a cappuccino and.......
The breakfast room in our hotel-Hotel Posada del Angel. Each room had an angel.
Recent rains caused a rock slide but we were able to get around the debris.
Cacao trees and the fruit it produces. The fleshy white part is removed and the "seeds" are dried before grinding them into a powder in the chocolate making process.
As it became more difficult to turn she told me to use two hands! It was fun to help.
Below is the view from our hotel in Guayaquil. If we needed to choose a favorite hotel it would be Hotel Unipark.
Land Iguanas took up residence in the city square. If you look closely you may be able to see them in the trees.
Maybe reading and libraries are becoming part of the culture.
Galapagos Islands; Difficult to describe the scenes and the sense of wonderment.
We made it! We landed on Baltra Island. Let the multi-faceted modes of transportation begin. More on those experiences later!
My kind of islands!
Four-wheel taxi to the El Chato Reserve for Galapagos giant tortoises.
Fun lunch group at the reserve.
We also hiked a lava tube!
Yep, our first naturalist on the islands was named Darwin! A sign of great learning opportunities to come.
Our first day on Santa Cruz Island we left the island on an excursion to the uninhabited island of South La Plaza. My first time on a dinghy-little did I know there would be many more modes of water transport during our stay! I promise to share more later.
Blue Footed Boobie
Time to explore the town of Santa Cruz and Hotel Fiesta!
A game similar to volleyball is very popular. The net is much higher and only 3 people on each team. Enjoying local activities like this and town markets and celebrations are some of my most treasured memories from my travels.
These two girls were trying to get some coffee from the machine.
Tourism is the largest industry on the islands. The number of people living on and visiting the islands has dramatically increased in recent years. The population and tourist growth is good for the economy but perhaps not so good for the environment. Personally I was quite surprised at the lack of eco-friendly practices. For example the use of plastic bottles and bags.
Darwin Center on Santa Cruz Island
Learn more about Galapagos and "Lonesome George";
Lonesome George
San Cristobal Island
As promised the water transportation incidents....imagine tourist (that's me) with backpack and suitcase in tow. I walk down the pier-no not a gang-plank but might well have been after knowing what was to come. I think the first boat we boarded would be called a dinghy. All I know is I dinged my shins as the floated dock lowered and the dingy rose and I had to crawl onto the vessel! Now picture this dinghy or water taxi or whatever it was bobbing up and down in the water as I tried to transfer to another bobbing vessel that was the speedboat that would take us on a two hour hell ride to San Cristobal. I fell into the boat-oh yes fell! A very kind traveling companion told me what was important was I made it onto the boat-we'll forget about the lovely entrance! Bruises were my souvenirs for the day!
The clown covered garbage can is an effort to teach residents to dispose of litter in garbage cans. The hope is that children will notice the clown and use the receptacle. I asked one of our guides why their beautiful country had so much litter especially in the rural areas. He explained that it is lack of education. As with the libraries change takes generations.
Sea Lions were everywhere!
Ecuador is a gorgeous country in so many ways; the landscapes, the cultures, the people and of course the creatures!
Hoping you have your travel wish list at your side. You might be inspired by reading, movies, or perhaps even my blog. Add to your list! Destinations can be experienced through travel but they can also be experienced with virtual visits through books, shows and shared memories!
"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes."
~Marcel Proust
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