Thread: Ecuador/Galapagos Islands--anyone been there?

Hi All!

Ecuador! Wow! Loved it. Get ready to have your breath taken away by the fantastically CHEAP costs of everything -- and the wonderful convenience of the US Dollar being the currency.

The country is very "rustic." You won't find tour buses and shiny new buildings. But you are so close to the clouds...Quito's Equator park is quite lovely and rather moving...

Man...a "must see" is the city of Banos de Agua Santo...or "BANOS." Contrary to the name it is NOT a toilet! But a magical, mystical charming little town with thermal springs and a magnificent waterfall within the city limits. It's a looooong bus ride out of Quito...but this 4 hour trip but fascinatingly straight out of a National Geographic magazine -- and cost only $1.75! The city itself is cobbelstones and lampbosts; very European influenced and a huge departure from the dreariness of Quito. It lies at the edge of Amazon for trips/trekking industry...so the town is suited for Outfitting with horseback riding, hiking and more. There's a sweet little zoo there, too. But the BIG "?" for this wonderful town -- an active volcano, Tungurahua. They are right at the base of if. This is why Banos is considered a Catholic pilgrimmage site -- the Virgin Mary is credited with performing miracles after her icon statue was mysteriously saved despite a devastating volcanic eruption. One portion of the church is covered with personal testamonies of miracles. I stayed at a sparkling clean ensuite for only $4 a nite!!!

Second...Oltavalo! If you're a shopping freak, and I am NOT,... the Saturday Market is overwhelming and took my breath away! Beautiful, BEAUTIFUL wool woven throw rugs, hand-knit sweaters, balsa wood carvings and other crafts from indigenous peoples... The prices are ridiculous! You feel guilty when you hand over $10 for an el paka wool sweater that would cost you $70+ in the states. Take an empty suitcase. A swinging bridge over an impressive canyon is hidden behind structures on north side of town... walk the trail and you may see an country person leading his burro laden with a five-foot high stack of vegetables for market. Again, terrific, "cheap" digs of under $10 a nite. Surprising: the huge amount of panhandling by elderly.

On my next trip: Guayaqil

I've always wanted to go to Galapagos Isles as well, but have held back for a couple of reasons: 1) Staying in the highlands means you don't need the inoculations for the "weird" tropical diseases you're encouraged to take. 2)Expensive and too touristy. Have been looking into "joining in" on small boat cruises that are looking to fill out the guest capacity,...but not convinced.... 3) My girlfriend's in-laws are natives of Ecuador...and they warn that the crime/pick-pocketing is much worse.

The Quito Bus Depot is a very high-crime area, too. Very rundown. Do NOT go in evening hours!!!

I hope that helps out a little bit!

Adios!
SNNY