Quito, Ecuador

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Our first real foray into South America begins in Quito.

We have a very comfortable, inexpensive Airbnb here for 6 weeks.

As we did in Malaga last year, we plan to use Quito as our home base to take side trips to various sights in Equator.

Next up, Galapagos Islands.

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Photos

Equador
We are spared the tropical heat of the equator as Quito is at 9 300 feet, giving it a refreshing climate.
It took me almost a week to adjust to the thinner air.

Surprise welcome
We were delighted to be greeted in Quito by old Aussie mates Paul, Paddy, Bill & Noi.
They will be travelling independently from us but we still managed a few fun filled days together.

Quito digs
Our Airbnb home for the next 6 weeks.
Very comfortable with a great view over the city.

Venezuelans
There are hundreds of Venezuelan refugees in Quito. Many beg or try to sell small items. They are not aggressive.

New Year's Eve
Proved to be very entertaining.
Single men dress as women and harass cars at intersections and demand a coin to let traffic pass.
At midnight in addition to fireworks, effigies of least favourite politicians are burned in the street.

Mitad del Mundo
Our first outing was to the Equator which runs through the north end of Quito.
The guided tour of exhibits and demonstration of physics was outstanding.

Head Shrinkers!
Up until the 1960s this Amazon tribe practised the "art" of head shrinking...to both honour dead relatives and display defeated enemies.

Lost your head?
The one inside the case is the real thing.
Bones, brain etc. removed.
All stitched up to prevent the soul from escaping.

Amazon fashion statement
We hope to NOT meet this gentleman on our Amazon trip early next month.

Walking the line
It was impossible to walk the exact line of the equator with eyes closed...bizarre but true!

Down the plug hole
This remarkable demonstration showed how by just moving the tub 5 feet north or south of the equator, the water went down opposite directions.

Mary
This enormous statue of Mary dominates the Quito skyline.

Old Town
In the distance is the statue of Mary.

Franciscan Church
Having investigated so many cathedrals in Spain & Italy last year we had to take a look at the opulent interior of this church that took 150 years to build...its interior covered in 24 carat gold.

Street dancers
The buskers and hawkers come out in force for Saturday, market day.

Street massage
The masseuse lost some of his charm when he hauled a smartphone out of his loincloth.

Teleferiqo
A little tricky to read, but more expensive to haul your large dog up the gondola than it cost us to ride.
We were surprised how many dogs were at the top.

Teleferiqo
For a spectacular view over Quito and its surrounding volcanos this ride up to an elevation of 13 500' or 4100m take the teleferiqo.

At the top
Cool, rugged scenery to the west of Quito.
We found the thin air a challenge.

Botanical Gardens
Close by to our apartment is the most popular park in Quito, Carolina, with many attractions, including these beautiful gardens.

Carnivor!
A great display of Amazonian pitcher plants.

Comments

[Bruce Chittick]

Fun fun fun
Looks like a fabulous holiday. Lovely to catch up with Paul and Paddy too.