"Surf, drugs and salsa", mix and match to customize your vacation in Montanita, a beach town on the pacific coast that is famous for its waves, stimulants and nightlife. This laid back, beach party atmosphere draws gringos from near and far, often making Ecuadorians the minority. During the day people lounge around, relaxing on the beach and in hammocks, listening to the music of Bob Marley and Sublime that wafts from the local, bamboo, palm fron bars and restaurants. At night, they crank up the music to get the party started. Salsa dancing, European techno dance halls and American club bu [View Full Entry]

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After taking a somewhat uncomfortable, seven hour bus ride, we arrived in Banos, one of the major vacation destinations in Ecuador. Situated at about 6000 ft, between the Andes and the Amazon, Banos is surrounded by lush, green cloud swept mountains, beautiful waterfalls, cloud forests and an active volcano (Tungurahua). The volcano erupted in 1999, the town was evacuated and set on red alert. There was never a big enough eruption to affect the town and the warning level was gradually lowered to an orange then yellow alert, and residents were allowed to return to their houses. It is said t [View Full Entry]

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The fiesta in Cuenca has already begun. Bands fill the street with the sound of music, fireworks illuminate the sky and people are everywhere. The city is packed with a mixture of locals, Americans and Europeans all ready to take part in the festivities. Cuenca is Ecuador's third largest city and Nov. 3rd is their independence day, an excuse to party and set off fireworks much like in the USA. With cobble stone streets and beautiful churches, Cuenca is somewhat reminiscent of somewhere in Europe. The people are friendly and the small markets offer inexpensive local goods, from panama ha [View Full Entry]

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Today Roana and I went to Ingapirca, the most significant Inca site in Ecuador. The Inca stonework is amazing. Stones shaped and fitted together with utmost precision. Master craftsmen combining time and skill to create truly praiseworthy structures, able to stand the test of time. Centuries after construction, the remaining stonework is in very good condition. It's a shame that so many of the stones were removed to build foundations for newer buildings. The Inca's knowledge of astrology was as impressive if not more so than their stonework. They were very in tune with the cycles of [View Full Entry]

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I arrived in Guayaquil, Ecuador yesterday. The largest city in Ecuador, it holds about 2.5 million people. Guayaquil resembles what you may expect of a large 3rd world city; children peddling merchandise at stop lights, trash in the streets, stray dogs roaming about, worn down, poorly constructed buildings, a general haze of smog and an odd odor filling the air. The poverty of the area is very apparent. There are some nicer areas (parks, malls, a newly constructed riverfront area (the Melecon), fancy hotels, gated communities), but the majority is stricken with poverty. 70% of the people [View Full Entry]

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