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The Galapagos Islands are one of the most interesting places we have ever visited. Seeing giant tortoises, iguanas, albatrosses and the famous blue-footed boobies a few feet from our path is an experience we will never forget. The islands were made famous by Darwin who used the natural habitat and wondrous wildlife as examples in his treatise "The Origin of Species", his theory about evolution. Now it belongs to Ecuador and is a national park with strict rules to preserve the environment, wildlife and eco-system. To reach the islands it is necessary to go through Ecuador, so our first stop was the capital Quito. |
| We had booked the trip with the Celebrity Cruise Lines and were met at the Quito airport by their representatives who took us by bus to our hotel, the Marriott. We would be here two night, have a city tour and then fly to the islands on the third day. |
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| Ecuador is known for growing roses that are exported all over the world. The hotel lobby had several beautiful displays and our room also had a vase with fresh flowers. |
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| After breakfast, the following morning, we had a tour of the new and old Quito. But before we got out of the driveway, some gauchos galloped in front of us. Just like in the movies. |
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| We passed some unusual homes and a park with the biggest and neatest "monkey bar" I have ever seen. Then we arrived in "Old Town" and stopped at the Basilica. In no time we were surrounded by women trying to sell us these nice scarves. After a little hesitation we bought two for five dollars. |
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| It was Saturday and a priest was conducting some kind of private service, but we were able to walk around the inside and take some pictures without flash. |
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| From here we continued on to the Plaza de la Independencia with the Archbishop Palace and the Palacio de Gobierno and another cathedral. Our guide, Antonio, explained all about the history of Quito, the reign of the Incas and the conquest by the Spaniards. |
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Antonio took us along a side street until we came to El Sagrario, a 17th Century chapel with baroque columns and interior doors and ceiling covered with gold plating. A mass was in progress and no photography was allowed inside. |
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| Our last stop in Old Town was at the Plaza de San Francisco also known as Bolivar. (See panoramic picture on top). It houses the monastery and church of Santo Domingo. The interior of the upstairs chapel is decorated with beautifully carved wood icons and benches; a place worth visiting. |  |
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| The tour buses took us to a restaurant named "The Crater" for a nice lunch while we overlooked the mountains around us. Then we stopped at the equator. This spot is where north, south, east and west meet. It is very simple: the yellow line is the equator, East (or Ost, hence the "O") is where Sharon sits. South is to the left, so North is right. Unless you go to the other side of the monument where South is right and West is behind you. Anyway Sharon was South and I was North when this smooching picture was taken at two sides of the world. Of course, Sharon asked, "How about some shopping for souvenirs? The prices and selections here are supposed to be good." |
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| Back at the hotel we had just enough time for a dip in the pool and spa. Then it was off to dinner at the remodeled opera building in "Old Town". A young soprano sang for us while we enjoyed a great meal and we made more new friends who would be on our Xpedition cruise ship. Then it was off to bed, dreaming about our adventures at the Galapagos Islands. |
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