Hola Everyone,
Well it has been a few days since we have updated you all, so there is LOTS to catch up on - but Ill try and keep it short.
So, on Saturday we flew from Santiago to Quito - all was good. We are staying at the flashest hostel I have ever seen, run by a lovely family. The dude who picked us up at the airport at 2100 even stopped on the way to the hostel to get us dinner!
Sunday
On Sunday we went for a wander around the city. First we caught a taxi up to the Teleferico (gondola) which goes up a really high hill at the edge of the city - with the obligatory fab views from the top. As it was a public holiday the queue was HUGE so we paid $7 (instead of $4) for an express ticket so were at the top within 15 mins (instead of 2 hours). Once at the top we walked up a track to the viewing platform and I was beginning to wonder why I was getting out of breath pretty quick - then we saw a sign that said "Altitude = 4,100m" (Quito city itself is at 2,850m) - no wonder I was struggling!
After that we caught a collectivo (minibus) back down to Old Town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Area. Had a quick look around there and saw a church called La Basilica, and then it started to pour with rain! (and I mean big thunderstorm) - consequently we got soaking wet (even though we had our jackets). So, after we had found some lunch we hot-footed it back to the hostel in a taxi.
Monday
Today we went and visited a tour agency to sort out some tours for the rest of the week, so on Wednesday we are going mountainin biking down Cotopaxi volcano and on Thursday we are going to Laguna (Lake) Quilotoa. Tomorrow we will be braving the local busses to go to the famous markets at Otavalo (1.5hrs north of Quito).
After that we spent more time in the Old Town, wandering seeing lots of beautiful buildings and churches (LOTS of churches). Many of the old colonial buildings had been "restored", and looked beautiful from a distance, but close up you could see all the imperfections - broken panes of glass, broken stonework etc - but still it was absolutely gorgeous. we both loved Old Town, the atmosphere was really relaxed and the sights and people were interesting. The best churches we saw were The Cathedral and La Merced, there was also the Monastery of San Francisco which would have been absolutely stunning in its day, but its beautiful altar was destroyed by an earthquake and restoration is on-going.
Also managed to order some great food today (we struggled a bit to order lunch, but in the end it was very nice) - we even had VEGES - twice!
I think tomorrow will throw some interesting challenges at us - trying to negotiate public transport and all.
PS - for all you non-computer geeks out there, when you leave us a comment and you are not a member of blogspot - write your name in the message - so we know who we are talking to!
Well it has been a few days since we have updated you all, so there is LOTS to catch up on - but Ill try and keep it short.
So, on Saturday we flew from Santiago to Quito - all was good. We are staying at the flashest hostel I have ever seen, run by a lovely family. The dude who picked us up at the airport at 2100 even stopped on the way to the hostel to get us dinner!
Sunday
On Sunday we went for a wander around the city. First we caught a taxi up to the Teleferico (gondola) which goes up a really high hill at the edge of the city - with the obligatory fab views from the top. As it was a public holiday the queue was HUGE so we paid $7 (instead of $4) for an express ticket so were at the top within 15 mins (instead of 2 hours). Once at the top we walked up a track to the viewing platform and I was beginning to wonder why I was getting out of breath pretty quick - then we saw a sign that said "Altitude = 4,100m" (Quito city itself is at 2,850m) - no wonder I was struggling!
After that we caught a collectivo (minibus) back down to Old Town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Area. Had a quick look around there and saw a church called La Basilica, and then it started to pour with rain! (and I mean big thunderstorm) - consequently we got soaking wet (even though we had our jackets). So, after we had found some lunch we hot-footed it back to the hostel in a taxi.Monday
Today we went and visited a tour agency to sort out some tours for the rest of the week, so on Wednesday we are going mountainin biking down Cotopaxi volcano and on Thursday we are going to Laguna (Lake) Quilotoa. Tomorrow we will be braving the local busses to go to the famous markets at Otavalo (1.5hrs north of Quito).
After that we spent more time in the Old Town, wandering seeing lots of beautiful buildings and churches (LOTS of churches). Many of the old colonial buildings had been "restored", and looked beautiful from a distance, but close up you could see all the imperfections - broken panes of glass, broken stonework etc - but still it was absolutely gorgeous. we both loved Old Town, the atmosphere was really relaxed and the sights and people were interesting. The best churches we saw were The Cathedral and La Merced, there was also the Monastery of San Francisco which would have been absolutely stunning in its day, but its beautiful altar was destroyed by an earthquake and restoration is on-going.
Also managed to order some great food today (we struggled a bit to order lunch, but in the end it was very nice) - we even had VEGES - twice!
I think tomorrow will throw some interesting challenges at us - trying to negotiate public transport and all.
PS - for all you non-computer geeks out there, when you leave us a comment and you are not a member of blogspot - write your name in the message - so we know who we are talking to!
6 comments:
South America at Easter would be pretty religious I guess. Although, they seem to have a religious festival every other day over there! Good luck with your travels - don't fall into the volcano Hutty! No fancy chainlink tool and dirty toothbrush will save you then...
Hey Chelle, What's that on your teeth?.Momma Goat was the anonymous post. Hey Andrew, Good to see you both enjoying yourselves. Hope Shelle's not been too bossy, that's right you're used to it now! well seasoned.
Just kidding about the teeth.
Poppa Goat
You're meant to wear the jackets!
Duh!
Hi Michelle and Andrew!!!! Sounds like you are enjoying yourselves although i still think your mad. At the easter highland games i got 3rd for c grade drumming and won the easter highland games raffle- a basket full of easter eggs. Too bad you arent here to help me eat them. Didnt do to well in dancing though but there was 26 in my class so just went to have fun. O well better go and do my homework so enjoy your trip - will email you later on.
Lots of love Pindy, Arwie and Gran xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
It's awful quiet over there! I assume you are getting ready to fly to Lima tonite. We're all good over here except for Pindy who's still eating Easter eggs. Off to Wairoa over the weekend see all your relatives Chelle. Hope you are enjoying your trip as there are only six weeks left!
Love the Goats Momma and Poppa
We've been tracking your movements on google earth, so we can see what you're up to. The markets looked like fun, can't wait to see your souvenirs (and guess who's going to be paying excess baggage on the way home!!). Have fun in Cusco.
No exciting news from home - haven't heard from Beth-Anne so that's good. Might go and reclaim my hedge trimmer this week though.
Love you, take care. Mum & Steve
Post a Comment