Cooking, Hiking & Horses in the Middle of the World

South America » Ecuador » North » Quito
February 24th 2023

Published: March 16th 2023

We were excited to arrive in Quito, Ecuador as this is the location where our friend and travel companion bvchef would join us. Serious excitement as we were getting the band back together! Past exploits placed us in Jordan, Egypt, Portugal, California, and Florida. We travel very well together and had been planning this one for nearly a year. And now the time had arrived…. On the evening we ar... Read Full Entry

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Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

D MJ Binkley

Photographers, divers, writers, foodies, chefs and music enthusiasts. Travelers' Century Club Members: 12/2023. MJ 107 and Dave 104. We appreciate your feedback and if you like our stories we would appreciate it if you follow our blog. We live on North Hutchinson Island, Florida. If you are in Florida please send us a private message as we would love to meet you. Two retired nurses who are passionate about traveling the world. Our love of travel, meeting new people and experiencing new cultures will hopefully take us to wonderful plac... full info

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16th March 2023

Alexander Toledo
non-member comment

South America
Great to see you travel MJ! I'd like to head to South America too....thanks for sharing your experiences. I'm inspired. Big hug! Alex

16th March 2023

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

South America
Good hearing from you Alex. I hope all is well in you world. Travel fills the soul. Thanks for commenting.

16th March 2023

Piprey on wheels
Shona

Nice
It is on my to do list. Looks like political situation is stable. Looking forward to hearing from you on the galapago islands.

16th March 2023

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Nice
Ecuador was a pleasant surprise. I don't think they do a good job of marketing all they have to offer. Well worth a visit.

16th March 2023

Phil Grabfield
non-member comment

Ecuador
Great to experience the Galapagos with the traveling trio. When do we see your Galapagos post? Debbie and I had an interesting visit to Quito after the Galapagos. We stayed in the city and went on the same walking tour that you did, leaving from the youth hostel. Highlight of our time in Quito was dinner at Vista Hermosa (the one in the hills, not in the Centro Historico), with an amazing view of the City. If anyone goes there, ask for Steven our waiter who was amazing. Good, authentic food that even Chef Brendan would have appreciated! We were the only gringos in the place which I loved!

16th March 2023

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Ecuador
The Galapagos will be next. It sounds like your time in Quito was good also. We'll check out Vista Hermosa if we get back to the area. We love it when we are the only gringos!

17th March 2023

cabochick
Andrea

Wow! Quito is Bonito!
Ah this is great! What a landscape, I would very much like to ride horses like you did. And I’m with you on the UP hiking, I find it very hard nowadays, gone are my BillyGoat days. Colourful pictures! Food reporting! Walking tours! Loved it all.

18th March 2023

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Wow! Quito is Bonito!
Age is an evil mistress and the hiking has gotten harder. 20 years ago it was a different deal. You would have enjoyed the horse ride in the national park I'm sure. The scenery was peaceful and our sturdy steeds knew their role. I'm so happy you are traveling again. I'm happy you are reading blogs again. We've missed you.

18th March 2023

Dancing Dave
David Hooper

Street musician in Quito
Some things have similarities around the World but each has its differences. The difference in this one is the instrument...the similarities are that his company is his dog and his need to make a buck. A poignant image.

18th March 2023

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Street musician in Quito
Same, same but different. He was very good with his instrument. We do love street musicians as so many have real talent. Thanks for following along.

19th March 2023

RENanDREW
Ren & Andrew

Looking the part
Excellent outfits - very appropriate! I'm intrigued by the ceviche soup, and I really want to try it. I've loved reading your blog after reading Brendan's blogs... almost a He Said / They Said approach :)

19th March 2023

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Looking the part
We like to be stylish and fashionable when we can. The hat and gloves came in handy as the winds blow through the park and at these altitudes the air has a chill. You would enjoy the ceviche soup. I will send you the recipe that Maria sent to us. Brendan's writing style is so fun. It is as if he is in the living room sipping a glass of wine telling you the stories of our adventures with a bit of sass. Our are more straight forward, more of a journal, describing where we went and what we did... a guide to be helpful if you want to plan the trip. We think we will enjoy reading them in our old age to remind us of all the things we've had fun experiencing.

19th March 2023

alex waring
Alexander Waring

Quito
So good to read about Cotopaxi and the Mitad del Mundo, the two places I missed out on in my 2019 South American trip due to some darned tummy bug. Looks like you had an amazing time! I imagine you were thrilled to arrive in the middle of a carnival, and I love how food for you is an entry into a country and culture - there is a lot to be said on that I'm sure. Missing the appointment by a month can't have been fun, but amazing that the lady was still able to meet you and cook something up within five minutes. Good for you for deciding not to do the hike - I've also appreciated opting out of things I've not felt comfortable with over the years. And I think I'm like you when it comes to horseback riding - something that crops up in travelling once in a while, and seeing where they'd like to take you for the day! So excited to see you both soon 😄😁

19th March 2023

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Quito
Getting sick on travels does impact the itinerary. We can share stories about that when we see you in a few days. Carnival was a pleasant surprise. We were shocked when Maria agree to give us the cooking class with 5 minutes notice.That was fantastic! Sometimes travel requires you to make decisions about what not to do. This time we were confident the hike zig zagging up that mountain would not have been fun for us and would have held others back. I guess we made an adult decision. LOL.

21st March 2023

bvchef
Brendan Vermillion

So, so many memories
I always enjoy reading your blogs of our trips. The different nuances is what we do and write about is so fun. I tried to comment when this was posted, but it wouldn't let me. But this gave me the opportunity to read this again. We had an amazing trip.

21st March 2023

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

So, so many memories
It is fun reading our different perspectives of the same trip...and of course writing styles. My cousin Rene read your blog and enjoyed it. She says you are a very good writer. I agree. Indeed and amazing trip.

22nd March 2023

Mumtraveller
Lynne Brown

Vicarious travel
Reading your blogs as I recover from my knee replacement surgery is a great way to spend an afternoon. Loved the scenery , art works and architecture food and commentary. Obviously I’ve no travel plans at present but look forward to taking my new knee on a trip later this year .

22nd March 2023

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Vicarious travel
A knee replacement will get you on the road to travel. You'll be up and around before you know it. Thanks for commenting.

1st April 2023

DaveandIssy
Dave and Issy Sheehan

A Fake Equator??
Hmmm. Traps for the unwary are clearly everywhere!!

1st April 2023

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

A fake Equator?
When science and GPS improves we gain knowledge. It was a lovely tribute and I imagine they didn't want to pull it down. Now it shows how science and knowledge are gained.

2nd April 2023

Grey haired nomads
David & Janice The grey-haired-nomads

Breathless in Quito
Wonderful Quito - where every day is carnival day! They certainly don't need an excuse to celebrate. Glad you enjoyed the buzz - you tell a lovely story. Rather envious, but my days of long-distance travel are now long gone. Keep Smiling, David

2nd April 2023

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Breathless in Quito
David, so good hearing from you again! Thanks for commenting. Carnival was a pleasant surprise. I'm sorry your long distance travel in behind you. We will take you along with us. Take Care.

20th April 2023

Waddads Travel
Lori & Susan

Equators
This reminded me of the various equator stops we had in Kenya. The little experiments they show you are interesting, and fun. Ecuador looked great, and how fun to meet up with your travel buddy again!

20th April 2023

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Equators
Th little experiements are fun and amazing. We live in a wonderful world. It is always good traveling with Brendan.

26th April 2023

Ake Och Emma
Ake Dahllof and Emma Holmbro

My trademark photo
That kind of photo is my trademark. I see that you like them too. Nice to read about Equador since I've never been there. /Ake

28th April 2023

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

My trademark photo
I hope you will get to Ecuador soon. It is lovely.

4th August 2023

Readingfcboi
Alan Atkinson

Ecuador
A country high on my bucket-list. It was great to read your blog and to hear that it is a relatively clean city. It looks like you guys had a good time and got to experience true Ecuadorian food; yummy...

5th August 2023

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Ecuador
You must get to this marvelous country soon. You will have a wonderful time.

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