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Ecuador: Road Trip Anyone...?!

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by: Cindy
Road Trip anyone...?! Our 9 day adventure to Ecuador was highlighted by a 5 day, 4 night personalized road trip "Adventure Life" designed just for us. Everything we wanted to experience and explore in the timeframe and budget I had available was granted; from highlands and climbing on the earths tallest "Active" volcano (Cotopaxi), strolling the beach/swimming in the Pacific near Don Juan, hiking, zip lining and Tarzan Jumping in the cloud forest at Mindo to visiting sacred ceremonial sites of the Yumbo (pre-Inca) civilization at Tulipe. Daniel was our capable, knowledgeable and expert driver /guide; sharing countless interesting facts about the country, culture and history along the way. Not to mention helping con mi espanol! Being able to see so much of the country and experience the way the locals live has created memories to last a life time. You should go! Explore all the lush landscape and historical aspects of Ecuador. Muchas mas to do in Ecuador than we had time for; perhaps I will make it back. Until then please join me and vicariously re-live the adventure...

Read my Journal
Ecuador Aug '12: Road Trip Anyone...?!

Want to go? Bellavista Cloudforest

I went to: Ecuador, Quito, Cotopaxi, Mindo
Day 1: Up at 3:30am to leave Detroit; so we nap in Miami!Our 1st morning in Quito, great view from JW MarriottDay one we are leaving Quito...such a massive city.King of the hill! Not surprised Dennis snapped a picDennis & local guide on our way up to the base camp.  Me...in the lower right corner/Daniel encourages meSnow/ice capped Cotopaxi, thanks to camera zoom feature!Den, Andy, Daniel, Cindy & Carmen resting at the base camp.Great family picture...what a day!Hosteria Granja La Estacion / charming and uniqueMorning sunrise over the mountains as we begin day 2.Scenes from SUV, que lindo!Que lindo otra vez  (again, how beautiful)Lunch by the coast, Jama.Dens lunch. The food was great EVERYWHERE!...after lunch.  Thanks Daniel for another family photo!Well, if you look at the horizon; one can imagine the sunsetOne of the views while at Samvara Eco Lodge.A typical "day at the office" for local fishermen.Some men head out for the day while......others come home from a night at sea.  (I love this pic!)Every city in Ecuador has a town square.  Canoa EcuadorAndy and Daniel were looking for something...?Relaxing after a day on the beach w/our adopted dogs!Tricycle taxies are everywhere...Traffic jam...  We must have come across at least 3 or 4.After zip- lining in Mindo...we had to try this!...Yes I am a little scared.Incredible...I might even try bungee jumping now!Hiking along the trails of Septimo Paraiso, MindoSangre de Drago (dragons blood) read about in my journal!Angel, our guide from Septimo Paraiso uses Dragons blood...Taking a break, overlooking the cloud forest...The museum in Tulipe.  The "ancient ruins" part of the tourNot much changes; Yumbo women take care of hearth & home..Yumbo chief and his advisor...1 of the 5 varieties of Bird of Paradise.  Feeling good! Feeling happy!  Ancient tolas  & piscinas surround modern day lifeThe CENTER...believed to hold mystical power & energy!Imagine, filled w/water & reflecting the moon; how peaceful!Beautiful waterfall  was MY downfall.  Still...I love this!The most sacred piscina...of all!  Still feeling happy, but not good...Ouch!"On" the equator now.  I missed the tour but got the pic.....imagine standing on the middle of the world! An actual "shrunken head"  wish I could have heard that one.Parque Metropolitano w/Aaron and the boys...Elevate, ibuprofen and rest...the best medicine.Virgen de El Pancecillo, Quito. Perhap my silver lining..Inside El Panecillo, fortunately I'm an expert w/crutches Last day in Quito, Another great pic, con Maria plus 2.My "Silver Lining"  view of Quito...glad I didn't miss this!Napping again in Miami.  Our adventure has come full circle.

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