Impromtu

It´s been one of those tough traveling days... always got to throw one or two into the mix. My morning in Cuenca started with a nice breakfast but the day turned when I stepped into minivan heading to Loja. My hotel reserved me a spot with the Elite touring company...well the three and half drive was really intense. The roads were curvy and the driver took every turn with very high speeds. Inside the car was too warm and the woman in front of me hardly cracked her window. I was sitting next to an american who smelled of smoke and body oder (I know we have all been in the not so fresh state...) For the last half hour I was hopping that I would not vomit from car sickness...I didn´t thank goodness. So far ... read more

Interesting tour...makes me really want to go to Machu Picchu. Inca ruins dating back to the 15 century. Our guide was very knowledgeable. Unfortunately it was a holiday weekend so our tour was a bit rushed. We had lunch at Posada Ingapirca- a very picturesque place. The quinoa and potato soup was awesome...I am going to try and make it when I get home.... read more

What a fantastic cruise to the Galapagos! I went on the Seamen Catamaran. Here's my 8 day itinerary 1. 10-27 Isla Santa Cruz- I flew into Baltra airport. We started at Puerto Ayora and did a trip to the Charles Darwin Research Station 2. 10-28 Isla Isabela- Snorkeled at Punto Moreno. I had a great time swimming with the turtles. We took a punga ride (small motor boat) through Elizabeth Bay. I saw hundreds of yellow rays. 3. 10-29 Isla Isabela and Fernandina- I snorkeled at Urbina Bay and took a walk on Punta Espinoza. Snorkeled again at Punta Vicente Roca. Oh and passed the equator on the boat...very cool! 4. 10-30 Isla Bartolome- I snorkeled at the pinacle and took walk around Islas Plazas. 5. 10-31 Isla San Cristobal- I visited the interpretation center. And ... read more

I enjoyed my day tour of Otavalo. It was scheduled through Simon Bolivar school in Quito. The tour started off with a sampling of local fruit called Chirimoya in Guayllabama. The fruit was green on the outside (looked kind of like a artichoke) and white on the inside. It was sweet and yummy. Apparently at larger amounts its a great cure for constipation :) Then we had a delicious desayuno in Cayambe. Cayambe is famous for its bizcochos and lactose (milk and cheese). The bizcochos were a bit dry for my taste...but not bad with coffee. After breakfast, we had a quick tour around San Pablo del Lago. The next part of the tour included first a visit to Mercado de Animales and then Mercado de Artesanias. The Mercado de Animales included the sale of every ... read more

Swishing water, balancing eggs and walking the line...yes, I was right on the equator, maybe?. Isabel and Luis Fernando were kind enough to take me for a day of sightseeing outside of Quito. First we went to Reserva Geobotanica Pululahua where I saw the volcanic crater. There are communities living inside the crater and of course there's a hotel. We did not walk down the trail...save that for next time. Next we went to Museo Solar Inti Nan. I really enjoyed learning about the indigenous cultures and viewing the exhibitions. The solar chronometer was cool (instrument that tells time by the rays of the sun). The water and energy demonstrations were fun too! The tour was in Spanish...I think I understand 90% of it...yippee. We then went to The Middle of the World City. We walked ... read more

Well, I finished my third day of classes and so far so good! Now I am waiting to picked up at my hotel, La Casa Sol by senora Isabel. I will be staying with a family in Quito for 2 or 3 weeks...depende? New town is full of restaurants serving food from around the world to cater to all the touristas. I had some not so great Pho at Uncle Ho's which is next to my hotel. The broth was brownish-black...I think they poured a whole bottle of soy sauce in it? The next night I had pretty decent green curry with tofu at Siam. Yesterday I had FANTASTIC meal at Mama Clorinda's. The restaurant serves traditional Ecuadorian food and the llapingachos was amazing! Also the ahi *kinda like salsa* which spicy and wonderful on everything. ... read more