Quito part 5: XMAS

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The main bulk of the trip was planned for South America where I wanted to spend at least a couple of months in Ecuador including XMAS and also visit the other countries I’d missed on the 2008 trip (Argentina, Peru, Colombia, Bolivia and Chile). I arrived on Santiago on 22nd November and after three days headed up to Quito with Lan airlines (the same route as I’d done on the 2008 trip so it was a bit weird at Santiago International airport as nothing had changed!). It was great to see Marilu and her family again and also my Goddaughter Mady who was growing fast!!. Some of the highlights of Ecuador were (1) Going back to my favourite Pollo restaurant (2) Lagunas de Mojanda near Otavalo and having a barbecue (3) Centro Historico and the pigeons in Plaza San Franciso (4) The sunsets and lazy days in the beach resort of Canoa and the other travelers I met there (5) Going back to the same cabin in Papallacta thermal hot springs and spending a relaxing few days there (5) Tena and Misahualli in the Oriente and the cheeky monkies (6) Shopping in Quicentro during XMAS and trying to find XMAS cake and mince pies without success! (7) Spanish school (8) Xmas and New Year celebrations (9) Watching CNN, Premiership football, the Wire and Six Feet Under on DVD and Cbeebies with Mady my Goddaughter (10) The food in Ecuador particularly the fish and Fritado (11) Atacames and those famous Batidos de Coco drinks

Ecuador was more like living somewhere overseas for a couple of months rather than proper travelling. I’d spent most of the time in just two places ; Quito and Canoa which was quite nice compared to the hectic schedules of China and New Zealand. I was running out of time though from the original plan of 7 ½ months away and by the middle of January it was clear more time was needed in order to see everything else I wanted to in South America. After a great birthday weekend for Mady which also coincided with Carnival it was finally time for a sad farewell and the flight to Buenos Aires to hit the road again…..

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Photos

Arriving in Quito
Cold and wet..again!