Galapagos Island … arrived finally!

After some concern about actually making it to the Islands, we arrived!  We were supposed to have arrived in the afternoon, but we did not so there goes our first day … I am just glad that we made it and was transported to our ship the Explorer II [excellent ship].

  Since we were on a large ship [the Legend is the other 100 passenger cruise ship], we had to take a dingy boat to our ship and board … this was a little different, but no mishaps … that would be bad for business.  The crew takes care of their passengers.  They even transported our luggage from the airport to the ship.  So far so good.

  Our itinerary for the Islands included two excursions per day, except the first and last days where we would have one excursion.  Since our flight was delayed, we did not have an excursion that first day, instead we circled the Island that we were supposed to visit … this was a reasonable and good gesture [probably the only option].  Of course, we did not see anything, but the park service controls which islands ships can visit. 

Galapagos Islands or bust …

Okay, we have been in Quito for three days and the temperature has been cool and it has rained periodically, but that’s okay, because we have gotten to see much … the old colonial city, the Otavalo Indian market, and other small towns.  The churches and cathedrals in the colonial part of the city are absolutely magnificent and ornate.  The most unfortunate aspect of Quito and the surrounding cities is the poverty and the conditions in which a lot of indigenous people live.  We have come across few beggars, most people are either trying to see some craft like scarfs or phone plans where you buy according to how much you plan to talk … seriously.  The city is also a bit dirty, but the poverty was the worst. 

After three days in Quito, we depart for the Galapagos Islands, where only one of the two airports are working … the one on Baltra.

So, we arrive at the Quito airport on our fourth day for our flight to the Galapagos Islands and waited and waited and waited.  After waiting at the airport for four hours we finally board the plane to fly to Baltra.  I have to admit that the airport process was one of the worst that we have ever experienced [which I will blog about later], but we finally arrived in Baltra about two hours after we were supposed to arrive.  I fully expected that we would miss our cruise ship, the Explorer II. 

The wait … totally worth it!  More to come …

Otavalo Indian Market

Yesterday, we visited the Otavalo Indian Market and surrounding areas, which is definitely going to be a highlight of the trip to Ecuador.  This is where indigenous people sell and show their trade.  Part of the experience is to bargain and negotiate with the vendors.  I do not really like this part of the experience, because we have so much, they have so little, and because of this,  the negotiation is unequal … much like our experience in Zambia.

We had to take a private tour to the area, which is about 2 hours north of Quito, but it was totally worth it.

By the way, we did buy a lot.

Welcome to Quito, Ecuador

Well the countdown to Ecuador is over, we have arrived.

We flew through my favorite airport, Atlanta, actually that is my least favorite.   We were delayed one hour!  That’s a blog for another day.   As I said we are in Quito, enjoying our holiday.

Our first full day, we toured the city and visited the equator monument and the actually location of 0 degree lat and long.  There is a natural history and living science museum are the real equator site.  What a fun way to start our trip.

The monasteries and churches in the colonial part of the city is worth the visit, not to forget the history behind city.

Other than some light rain and cold weather, what a nice day.

Quito, the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador … two days to go

This Wednesday we will be in Quito, the capitol of Ecuador.  Ecuador has never been on my radar … until I learned that the Galapagos Islands belong to the country, but there’s a lot to see and do in Ecuador too … at least that is what I have read. 

Like most of South America, and the rest of the world, Ecuador was colonized by the Europeans and has a lot of European influenced architecture, but the country also has a rich culture and history too.  Ecuador is in the Andes and the Amazon.

One of the tours we will be taking from Quito visits the equator monument where you can stand on both the northern and southern hemisphere.  We also will get to learn about the culture of Ecuador, influenced by Europeans and indigenous people.

While food is often a symbol and representative of culture and I am usually interested in how other people live … I am not trying the roasted guinea pig!

Quito, the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador … countdown

One day before two days from today, we will be in Quito, Ecuador for our winter and Christmas holidays.  This will be our first trip to Ecuador and the continent of South America.  We will spend a couple of days in Quito before traveling to the Galapagos Islands for our cruise aboard the Explorer II, a 100 passenger ship.

While in Quito though, we will tour the city, travel to the Equator, and visit the famous Indian market … Otavalo.

A couple of surprises … Ecuador’s currency is the United States dollar, the Galapagos Islands are 600 miles west of the country, and Quito is 2850m (9350ft) above sea level [making the city one of the highest capitals in the world].

Until tomorrow …

Best wineries and distilleries to visit

I have a confession.  I love wine, actually, I love to drink wine.  I like whites, but I prefer reds.  If medical research is correct that red wine has beneficial health effects … I am very healthy [I am healthy, but probably not because of the wine].  If you enjoy wine, I would recommend visiting the following wineries.

Spier Wines (Stellenbosch, South Africa )  — a must visit if you are in Cape Town.  Try to visit when there is an African event or activity.

Robert Mondavi (Napa Valley, California)  — despite how large the winery is, the tour is quite personal and friendly. 

Equus Run (Midway, Kentucky) — this small winery in Central Kentucky lets you get close and personal.

Biltmore Winery (Asheville, North Carolina) — here you get the entire package, the house, the winery, and Asheville.

Williamsburg Winery (Williamsburg, Virginia) — this is a new winery.  When I visited in 2002, the winery was so new they had to borrow grapes, but the tour was historic. 

Labrot & Graham (Lexington, Kentucky) — you can only get bourbon in Kentucky … while there learn some history.