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Trip of a Lifetime I soon realized that no journey carries one far unless, as it extends into the world around us, it goes an equal distance into the world within. ~Lillian Smith

Trip: Ecuador

There are [18] stories from my trip: Ecuador


Gallery: Peru

PERU | Tuesday, 1 Apr 2008 | Photo Gallery


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Next stop...the Amazon Jungle!

ECUADOR | Friday, 29 Feb 2008 | Views [1120] | Comments [4]

Today is the start of my tour, our first stop....the Amazon Jungle! We took a 30 minute flight to the town of Coca.  From there, it was a 10 minute ride to the launching spot to begin the next phase of our journey. We took a motorized canoe 2 1/2 hours ... Read more >


La Compañia Church in Quito

ECUADOR | Thursday, 28 Feb 2008 | Views [2615]

Yesterday, Colleen and I had made plans to go to the historic district since the first time I went, my exploring was cut short by pouring down rain.  We literally walked up and down the streets of the historic district and were typical tourists, taking ... Read more >


Meeting up with my GAP group

ECUADOR | Wednesday, 27 Feb 2008 | Views [669]

Yesterday was mostly an errand day.  I mailed a box home of souvenirs from the market in Otavalo, got my laundry done, and walked around the area near by hotel. I also checked into my new hotel and met up with my group for my GAP tour. I´ll be on this ... Read more >


Mitad del Mundo

ECUADOR | Tuesday, 26 Feb 2008 | Views [774]

Yesterday, I left Otavalo and took the bus back to Quito. It was a much quieter ride and since I knew what to expect, it was uneventful. I had ran into the couple from Oakland who also came back to Quito yesterday for their flight home. We went to Mama ... Read more >

Tags: sightseeing


Visiting local villages

ECUADOR | Sunday, 24 Feb 2008 | Views [681]

I decided to stay an extra day so I would have a chance to tour the local villages.  Alfonso, my guide, showed up and he spoke even less English than my last guide.  I also soon realized that this tour was going to be a walking one.  Straight up the ... Read more >


Visiting the Saturday Market in Otavalo

ECUADOR | Saturday, 23 Feb 2008 | Views [1144] | Comments [1]

Otavalo has population of 70,000 and is well known for it's Saturday Indian Market.  For hundreds of years, indigenous people from over 70 surrounding villages have brought their crafts and produce to barter and exchange. There is also an animal market ... Read more >

Tags: Shopping


Lakes near Otavalo

ECUADOR | Friday, 22 Feb 2008 | Views [1743]

Ok, this is my 3rd try to type this up, so if it doesn't work, I'm skipping this day!  Last night, I checked with the front desk and they booked a tour for me.  I wanted to get out and see the countryside.  Carlos showed up and he spoke very little English ... Read more >

Tags: Sightseeing


Gallery: Galapagos Islands

ECUADOR | Thursday, 21 Feb 2008 | Photo Gallery


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Local bus to Otavalo

ECUADOR | Thursday, 21 Feb 2008 | Views [1304]

I said goodbye to my Galapagos group and was once again on my own.  First stop, a camera shop!  They were able to fix it!  It cost about 1/3 the price of my camera but since I had only had the camera for 14 days, I gladly paid it.  My plan was to take ... Read more >

Tags: sightseeing


Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos

ECUADOR | Wednesday, 20 Feb 2008 | Views [663]

We arrived at the Darwin Research Station at 7 a.m.  We took a quick walk around and found the Giant Tortoises.  They live to close to 200 years old.  We watched them eat breakfast of plant leaves.  It looked like such a struggle for them. We then went ... Read more >

Tags: the great outdoors


Española Island, Galapagos Islands

ECUADOR | Tuesday, 19 Feb 2008 | Views [1031] | Comments [1]

Again, we traveled all night.  Last night, I didn´t take my Dramamine early enough and we were really rocking so I headed to bed and prayed for sleep so I wouldn´t get sick. I was fine in the morning and we head arrived to Espanola.  The wildlife was ... Read more >

Tags: the great outdoors


Floreana Island, Galapagos

COSTA RICA | Monday, 18 Feb 2008 | Views [3188] | Comments [3]

We traveled about 8 hours last night to reach Post Office Bay on Floreana Island.  We headed to shore and our first stop was the Post Office.  Back in the late 18th century, a barrel was placed here by English whaling vessels to be used as a post office.... Read more >

Tags: The Great Outdoors


Off to the Galapagos Islands

ECUADOR | Sunday, 17 Feb 2008 | Views [800]

We were up early and heading to a different airport to fly to the Galapagos.  It was a 30 minute flight to Guayaquil  (city located on the coast) where we picked up passengers and then a 90 minute flight to Baltra on Santa Cruz Island. The Galapagos ... Read more >

Tags: The Great Outdoors


Centro Historico, Quito

ECUADOR | Saturday, 16 Feb 2008 | Views [2760]

Today, I took a taxi to Centro Historico, the old town section of Quito. I´m staying in La Mariscal which is where most of the hotels are located and everyone warns you to not stay in the old town.  My taxi driver, Ivan,  was very nice and asked if I ... Read more >

Tags: Sightseeing


Gallery: Ecuador

ECUADOR | Friday, 15 Feb 2008 | Photo Gallery

Ecuador
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Exploring Quito

ECUADOR | Friday, 15 Feb 2008 | Views [1267]

At 9,348 feet, Quito is the second highest capital in the world after La Paz, Bolivia and is located 14 miles south of the equator. It was founded in 1534 and now has a population of 2 million people.  The population of Ecuador is 12 million.  I was ... Read more >

Tags: Sightseeing


Off to Ecuador

ECUADOR | Thursday, 14 Feb 2008 | Views [1027] | Comments [6]

There was still so much to see and do in Costa Rica but I'm very excited about this next leg of my trip.  I left at 9 am to the San Jose airport and waited in line for an hour, good thing I was 2 hours early!  Security is much the same as we have experienced ... Read more >

Tags: Airports