Ecuador Vacation

We spent 10 days in Ecuador.   Most of the time was in the Galapagos, though we did visit Guayaquil and Cuenca on the mainland.

At Parque Bolivar in Guayaquil, also known as Park of the Iguanas

It's feeding time for the Iguanas! 

 We spent time on San Cristobal Island in the Galapagos (2 nights) and also Isabela Island (3 nights.)
We also visited the island of Floreana. 

On San Cristobal.  They call this hamburger rock.  I wonder why? 

Statue of the great Charles Darwin on San Cristobal.  This overlooks the spot where he first touched ground in the Galapagos. 

The cove where Darwin touched shore on San Cristobal. 

Isabela Island, where we hiked to the rim of the Sierra Negra Volcano.   The volcano's caldera is the second largest in the world, with a diameter measuring 6 1/2 miles.  The colorful volcanic rock was spectacular!  The out and back hike was slightly over 10 miles.  It was fairly easy walking.  Fortunately, the weather was not too hot.  Thank goodness for the cloud coverage. 

Making our way toward the rim of the volcano.

Beautiful volcanic rock! 

Gerry's on the edge of the world

We visited Cuenca.   We stayed in a hacienda about 40 minutes outside of the city, called the Hacienda Uzhupud.  It was quite the place, featuring lovely grounds with several walking paths and beautiful gardens and terraces to explore and enjoy.  The furnishings in the interior lobby, hallways and common areas deserved to belong in a museum.

A terrace at the Hacienda Uzhupud

We hiked in the Cuenca area, near the town of Banos.  Beautiful flowers and plants lined the rural road we walked.

Not sure what this is, but it sure was pretty. 

As was this  flower.

A local woman is making her way along the road. 

We approached Banos, and walked by this spectacular blue church. 

We ate lunch at the Piedra de Agua spa.  The grounds featured mineral pools and beautiful sunning areas.  It was a lovely place.  Piedra de Agua is carved from volcanic rock dating back 70 million years! 

We toured the Central Market in Cuenca.  Talk about fresh produce!  Grapes the size of golf balls,  heads of cabbage triple the size we see in USA, fresh mangos, gigantic papayas, etc etc.

A colorful display of produce

A local Ecuadorian woman near the bananas.  The top industry in Ecuador is oil.  Bananas come in at # 2.   

Anyone care for some pig meat? 

A trip in Cuenca would not be complete without a visit to a factory where they make Panama Hats.  Did you know Panama hats are made in Ecuador, not Panama?

Our final day we visited El Cajas National Park.  The Park is at 13,000 ft elevation.  We could see the clouds below us.  The park covers 71,000 acres and contains 230 glacial lakes.  Lake Llaviuco is the lowest point in the Park.  The Park is stunning.  Our guide Henry gave us much information about the birds, plants and animals of this tundra environment. 

Lake Llaviuco

Interesting tree by the lake

Talk about a colorful rock!  

Final day in Ecuador was in Guayaquil.  We visited the Parque Historico, which covers 8 hectares.  Over 50 species of birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles and fish are present in the Park.

A macaw showing his stuff

Another parrot ? 

We're back in L.A.   Would I go back to Ecuador?  YOU BET!!!