Blogs from Quito, North, Ecuador, South America - page 8

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South America » Ecuador » North » Quito April 17th 2016

Arrived in Quito in the wee hours of the morning, mere hours after the largest earthquake in years had shaken the country, in some spots to the foundations...having been about 2 hours out from Quito when the plane received word of the earthquake we were diverted twice, including an unplanned stop in Panama to refuel and wait for further instructions...the info was sorted out and we were given the go-ahead to proceed to Quito, not really sure as to what would be waiting for us when we arrived... Bizarre beginning to say the least, we got up and started gathering more info as to what had happened, what/where the damage was and sadly what the casualties and injuries were...the plan was to be in Quito for two days then head off to the Galapagos Islands for ... read more
La Mitad del Mundo
Plaza Grande
View from Cruz Loma

South America » Ecuador » North » Quito » Historical Center March 6th 2016

Our next stop after the Quilatoa loop was the backpacker hangout of Banos. Unfortunately, the weather has not been kind to us in Ecuador, and that was no-more true than in Banos. A town that's famous for its spectacular views of an active volcano that looms over the town, a view that we were never able to see (although we were able to hear it's rumblings and growlings). We spent our time there trying to make the most of the weather when it cleared and getting wet when it didn't. A trip to the hot baths (banos is spanish for baths) where we wallowed in outside pools as it rained and a return to white water rafting, for Chris anyway, as it doesn't matter if it rains or not if you think you're about to drown. ... read more
'The Devil's Cauldron' waterfall
Caja NP
Galapagos fur seals

South America » Ecuador » North » Quito January 14th 2016

Ecuador. The country's name evokes thoughts of the Galapagos with it's exotic wildlife, the Pacific coast with its pristine beaches, the Amazonian rainforest and its lush vegetation, banana exports, and this. This isn't the Ecuadorian national anthem by the way. But imagine if it was! In recent times, it has also evoked thoughts of danger and crime, particularly in Quito - where I was heading next. Another journey another overnight bus ride. I didn't sleep well again on the bus - a bumpy, winding ride, a lack of leg room and a rather large lady in the seat next to me put paid to that. Once in Quito, I took the EcoVia from the city's southern bus terminal into the city. The EcoVia is Quito's version of Lima's metro - a bus with a dedicated lane ... read more
La Compania de Jesus
Little Donkey
North View Of Quito

South America » Ecuador » North » Quito » Historical Center December 9th 2015

After 35 hours in the air and 11 hours of airports in general as the sun rose we caught our first glimpse of Quito. Snow capped, forest draped mountains like islands in a swirling sea of gold tinted clouds the sun rose as we touched down jet lag momentarily forgotten in the wonder of Green. A short walk through the terminal where Passport control and customs officers made great conversation partners upon whom we could practice our apparently dreadful Spanish skills. (I believe that they were very happy to see us leave!) Baggage claim was simply and Tommy was thrilled to see our taxi driver standing with a card with her name on it waiting for our arrival. We sat silently in wonder as we were taken to our hotel. Mountains, trees and winding roads. “es ... read more
First sunrise in Ecuador
Plaza Grande
Viva Quito

South America » Ecuador » North » Quito » Historical Center December 7th 2015

Having splashed the cash (after looking at a number of different options) to fly to Quito from Cusco we thought it would be a nice and simple. We were a little wrong. After getting up early, for a change, we got a taxi straight down to the airport for 5:30am. We were due to be in Quito for lunch time after a couple of hours waiting for our connection in Lima. When we checked our bags the woman casually said to us "oh, you are going to Quito, you will not make your connection as the flight is delayed. I can still get you to Quito but you will arrive at around midnight". After our stunned looks she changed her tune a little and said that we may be ok but to check with their staff ... read more
Cathedral in the Old Town
Party bus
Cool little church near our hostel

South America » Ecuador » North » Quito November 27th 2015

Well, here we go again. Another catch up update, this time from my time in Quito in Ecuador. Slowly but surely I am catching up…. Banos was a great little place to visit even if it was a bit of a tourist trap. But the landscapes and the atmosphere of the town was nice and I can only recommend to visit the place if you are in the area. But everything has to come to an end and so I caught a bus to Quito, the capital of Ecuador. After I arrived in Quito I took a taxi to the hostel area (every city and town has an area where most of the hostels are concentrated) and soon found a nice place. As it was Sunday most of the restaurants were closed and it was a ... read more
Quito
Quito
Quito

South America » Ecuador » North » Quito » Historical Center November 7th 2015

So we are now out on our epic 3 month adventure, having spent a full 24 hours travelling from Birmingham, arriving in Quito at 1AM UK time. Thanks again to my sister for getting up in the dead of night to give us a lift to the bus station. Our driver down to Heathrow looked like he was on something, and welcomed all passengers onto the bus by telling them to sit back relax and enjoy their journey in the most monotone Brummie accent possible! The flights were hassle free, the one to Madrid was bumper than crossing the Atlantic Ocean to get to Ecuador! Had an interesting taxi ride into town as our driver was determined not to let any others drivers pull in front of him, but strangely enough I still felt fairly safe ... read more

South America » Ecuador » North » Quito October 1st 2015

Von Galapagos sind wir über Guayquil nach Quito geflogen. Wir hatten bereits von Deutschland aus, eine Unterkunft über airbnb, in Quito gebucht. Wir wurden sehr herzlich von Sebastian empfangen und bekamen auch gleich eine Hausführung. Sebastian erzählte uns, was wir in den nächsten Tagen in Quito unternehmen könnten. Am nächsten Tag liefen wir erst mal zum nächsten Einkaufszentrum um etwas zu frühstücken, dann bummelten wir eine Stunde durch die Geschäfte. Zu schade, dass ich nichts kaufen konnte. Im Anschluss machten wir, auf Empfehlung von Sebastian, eine Hop-on-hop-off-tour durch Quito. Erst fuhren wir, mit dem Bus, durch die neuere Innenstadt und dann ging es in die Altstadt von Quito. Zwischendurch stiegen wir immer wieder aus und schauten uns schöne Plätze und Märkte an. Die Altstadt besteht aus tollen Bauten und ist sehr gut restauriert. Die Menschen wirkten ... read more
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South America » Ecuador » North » Quito September 22nd 2015

So I made a very quick stop in Quito from Mindo but I feel I saw enough. How I got there: Caught the 11am bus from Mindo $3.10 & got into La Ofelia terminal 2hrs later. From there I caught the Metrobus to Conjeso Provincial 25c (catch the one heading to Marin & watch for the station signs on either side to see which station you are at). From there I walked to the Hostal. Where I stayed: Chicago hostel $11.20/night bed in 4-bed mixed dormitory. Room is small but clean with a separate bathroom - water gets warm but not hot although I was the 3rd person in a row to shower which may not have helped. There is a common area with pool/darts & a roof terrace which gave a good view at night. ... read more
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South America » Ecuador » North » Quito August 29th 2015

Geo: -0.223151, -78.5127Reading in the gardenWalk to townMarketBusy streetsLa CompaniaLunchChildren begging at the fablesHotelTaxi to airportWarWorlds worst flight... read more




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