Category Archives: Ecuador/Galapagos

A few random thoughts on my trip.  First.  I was surprised by the number of single women traveling either by themselves or with another woman.  I saw more women with backpacks then I did single men.  Most of them were … Continue reading →

Every Monday at 11am is the changing of the guard at the Palacio de Gobierno, the presidential palace in the Plaza Grande in Quito.  I walked about half way from my hostel to the Plaza and, when I realized I … Continue reading →

I made my March Madness picks last Wednesday while in Mindo.  I might as well have made them in Spanish in the dark considering where I’m at in the family group standings as I write this Sunday afternoon.  Even Ashley … Continue reading →

I arrived in Mindo on Monday afternoon.  In order to get to Mindo, which is two hours west of Quito, from Otavalo, you have two choices.  You can take the same bus back to Quito that you came to Otavalo … Continue reading →

It was a 35 minute flight from Cuenca to Quito.  It took two hours and $27 by cab from the airport to the north bus terminal in Quito.  From there it took two hours and $2.20 from Quito to Otavalo.  … Continue reading →

I’ve enjoyed my two full days here in Cuenca.  It has been listed as the most inexpensive place in the world to retire.  The thought crossed my mine when I read that but it crossed it pretty fast and was … Continue reading →

On Sunday, another team was going to the parrot lick but our group wasn’t.  This was something I wanted to see so I switched groups for the day.  Our guide was Fredy.  The trip to the parrot lick took about … Continue reading →

Javier had a long day planned for us on Saturday.  Breakfast at 5:30 and then it was off on a five-mile hike. First they bailed out the boat before putting the seats back in.  Then we paddled to our starting … Continue reading →

I spent the last five days in the rainforest.  Late yesterday, March 12, I flew to Cuenca but I’ll pick up the story last Friday when I left for the rainforest. I flew from Quito to Coca where I was … Continue reading →

Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island is the most populated town in the Galapagos.  I believe the population is around 20,000.  I believe the entire Galapagos population is about 80,000.  In 2011 they had 140,000 tourists and last year the … Continue reading →