A Day in Quito

5.25.14

We had until 3 today to tramp around Quito. BTW, we are in the same time zone as TX. We did a little shopping in the Market and met a group for lunch. Oops the van that is to pick us up is going to be 15 minutes late, but we have plenty of time.

This is our friend John as we wait for our van. The van got stuck in traffic and we had to split up our group of 10 travelers in 3 cabs to make our flight. Our cab had so much luggage that we rode half way to the airport with the truck open! Finally the cab driver saw the imprudence in this, stopped the cab and put a bag between R and me. We will have a 2-hour plane flight to Lima. More later-if internet permits!

Randy's Big Adventure 

After getting our passports stamped Randy realized he left his walking stick in restroom. He was told he could go look for it, but when he did he was stopped, taken into a room to be fingerprinted and questioned about the lost item. I was waiting impatiently especially when I saw airport security take him into a room. Not only was I worried about him, but our luggage and missing our guide. After about 30 minutes they released him with his walking stick, we claimed our luggage and met ou guide. Whew—what a day!

Quito Bound

5.24.14

We leave the beautiful Hacienda after a wonderful breakfast of crepes, bacon an eggs. So much for a low carb diet. We will have 3-hour ride back to Quito. 

You often see houses with rebar sticking out of the top floor. People do this to save money. If they don't finish construction they pay lower taxes. The rebar allows them to add another story when funds permit. 

We are stopping at a market in Lata Cunda. 

Next the Rose Plantation. I took lots of pictures there. 

Lunch was next on the schedule and again we had a a wonderful meal at a beautiful hacienda. 

I enjoyed taking many pictures there. Here are a few. 

There we got serenaded by native folk band. 

Tonight we are back at the hilton and received coplimentary sushi. Tomorrow off to Peru. 

Back to Los Baños

5.23.14

We got seats at the front of the bus this time that let's us know how good this bus driver is. 

We stopped along the way and the cashier showed us her pet. Her daughter was quite cute too. 

Before lunch we stopped at a water in a canyon area. The walk to the waterfall was easy. The walk back was pretty tough. We rewarded ourselves with a chocolate bannana empanada 

After traveling to the Green River area (no rest for the weary) we took a tram ride over the river to yet another waterfall. Very fun. 

A little time in Banos fior shopping. 

This guy made jewelry from the nut from the palm that produces the monkey brush we saw in the Rain Forrest. After our shopping we are off  to the hotel. 

This is a shot of the Volcanoe that was in the news in March. 

Our hotel for the evening, Hacienda Manteles, was gorgeous. It is a family run hacienda with views across the valley that include the Tungurahua Volcano. 

They surprised R with a birthday cake and we all sang HBD2U. His birthday is tomorrow, but  no matter the chocolate  cake with chocolate sauce was great!

 

A Trek in the Amazon

5.21.14

Welcome to the jungle I lost my notes on this day.   I looked down and there was a row of a's. This blog  needs an undo. Basically it was a bus ride with beautiful scenery and waterfalls. 

We got caught up on our sleep and enjoyed. The country side. 

Our taxi to the hotel was a covered canoe. 

We visited a family tha taught us how they lived and cooked over an open fire. They also gave us a lesson on the use of a blow gun. Both R & I hit the monkey target!

5.22,14

On tap for  today was a hike on the Rain Forrest. Unfortunately we woke up to rain but that didn't stop us. We were told to bring our rain gear and off we went.

We learned about the Walking palm and iron palm

Rubber tree used to build a canoe

We had to cross a cavern in a basket. Here is R coming in.  We saw Cork tree harvested for wine corks

Pand a seed pod that the monkeys used for grooming aptly called the  Monkey brush

We were shown how the leaves were braided for the thatched huts to keep out the rain.

We also learned that Bamboo held over a liter drinking water. You can shave the bark of the bamboo and use it for stating fires when wood is wet. 

For protein we learned you could survive on lemon ants. I tasted a couple. Very tiny—like licking a spec off your palm it was pretty good!

Next we got very wet riding a balsa log raft back to the boat. 

The afternoon was spent as a butterfly garden. I used my big camera for those pictures and will need to post later. 

The raft ride was very wet but at less our guide didn't tip us over. 

After the Amazon trek we took a much needed nap and then went out to the village

The locals live simply—everyone was out side enjoying the evening. 

We spent time before dinner visiting with members of the group. Dinner was delayed a bit because of a short power outage. After dinner the rain started again. That will be nice for sleeping.  Tomorrow we go to Banos. 

Crossing the Andes

We went to school today.  The children made hearts for us and we're very affectionate without any pick pocketing ! The boys wore a traditional braid. At the age of 11 it was hard to tell the boys from the girls!  One member of our group had to take his foot out his mouth after asking where the boys were. 

Next stop was R's fave, a market Otavalo where we bought a few things. Then off to to the waterfall.  

The round building was use by the Shamans. They would go inside to get the energy of the sun. The natives use the building to celebrate the equinox. 

You only need about $500 a month at the door to where property taxes are $25 a year.

We ate lunch at Cortacha. Mind you I m butchering the spelling of most of these cities wil correct later! There is only 30 minutes per day to blog soo bear with me on typos. 

Next up was a place that sold leather where I found a wonderful blue coat but couldn't get it zipped uh oh!

Traveled through the Andes where the altitude is 13,000 ft. The countryside is beautiful— pictures don't do it justice. Sucre was once the currency. They changed to dollars to prevent inflation. When that happensed many people lost their businesses and left Ecuador. The president had to leave because his popularity dipped over this, and he is now teaching at Harvard.

Another beautiful hotel with mineral spas outside our rooms.

Enjoyed fish for dinner except for the eyes looking at me :/

The Center of the World

 I enjoyed Gabayasamin's work who painted big hands to represent the hard work of the local people.

The Archbishops palace across from the park was packed because the president was expected. 

Here is R at the Cathedral. He especially like the relief on the doors

A Bordello across from the church used for secret meetings on independence.

The School of arts was active in the 16 &1700s students worked in the church (too bad they didn't allow pics) putting gold leaf on the walls and carving the wood, painted figures. The figures were polished to a porcelain like sheen with sheep badder. Who da thunk! From  1605-1756 they worked on the church working in Baroque and Morish styles. No candles alter one section burned and had to be re-gold leafed.

We ate lunch at the monument at the middle if the world. The yellow line represents it and goes up to the monument behind us. 

On the trip  back to our next hotel we saw gas prices at $5.20 /gal. The gas is government subsidized & $1.25 is what the general public pays. Surprisingly enough the top product of Ecuador is Oil.  

There are 4200 varieties of orchids 150 varieties of humming birds am I can tell you from experience Equidor is known for chocolate—yumm. 

Out hotel, Cabanas del lago, is between the lake and an active volcano. It is besutiful. 

Hope the volcano doesn't erupt!