Hola! Around South America on LAN

[clazman]

I hope the antibotics kick in soon RooFlyer and you are feeling your old self again You have got to be over that sinus infection to go swimming with the coughies in the Galapagos. xx

Swimming with coughies? Is this a auto correct error

 

[robd]

Hope you feel better soon. Subscribing.

 

[JohnM]

Swimming with coughies? Is this a auto correct error

No - check this: Blue footed coughy a piece of study.. They are a Galapagos icon. There are also less common red-footed coughies.

 

[JohnM]

Bummer about the sinuses, RF. Hope they come good soon.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

Swimming with coughies? Is this a auto correct error

No ! dr.ron went swimming several times in the Galapagos - coughies were diving in all around him :shock: as well as penguins and seals

 

[RooFlyer]

Thanks for the various kind words. I am feeling a lot better already. Although anyone familiar with the 'sinus flushing' regime might agree with me that the (part) cure is almost as bad as the malady.

The 4 days in Quito is an artefact of my booking cheap flights across the Pacific early and then not being able to match up the next couple of organised tours. As I mentioned, I was thinking about doing 2 days or so to the south amongst the volcanos and even though I'm on the mend, I may not bother, as the weather is quite cloudy and stormy.

Anyway, I was feeling well enough this evening to go look for something to eat in the restaurant downstairs. This is a 'Mercure' but its much better equipped than Mercures in Australia. The restaurant 'Spicy' IS just a hotel restaurant but they appear to put some effort into it. It has 3 menus, including Sushi. The concept of eating Japanese in Ecuador appealed to me, so I gave it a go and it was a good choice; the portions were larger than I was expecting.

Lomo Tataki appetiser on the left (thinly cut steak with citrus juice marinade) with crispy fried veges and a couple of 'rolls' on the right. It didn't get finished. Straight water to accompany it!



So, thumbs up to the Mercure; I'm coming back here twice more between other excursions, so its just as well

ps and I am looking forward to swimming with the coughies etc. Bought a waterproof camera especially for the water activities.

 

[kpc]

Glad you are feeling better!. Rooflyer, have a look at the first part of my TR on the Galapagos (in my signature) re what we did in Quito...also take care of your belongings!
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....tos/new-tv-blue-ray-dvd-28732.html#post413746

 

[drron]

coughies even have mating dances-

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.

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But life isn't all rosy in coughy world.mum is too late to save her chick from a jealous male-

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Sorry to hijack the thread RF.

 

[RooFlyer]

Glad you are feeling better!. Rooflyer, have a look at the first part of my TR on the Galapagos (in my signature) re what we did in Quito...also take care of your belongings!
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....tos/new-tv-blue-ray-dvd-28732.html#post413746

Thanks, but too late! I spend some of my downtime yesterday going through the various TRs

 

[RooFlyer]

Saturday morning and time to get sightseeing There are at least a couple of AFFers who know Quito, so I best be careful! But for those unfamiliar, this is an over-view. New airport on the top right, and the Old Town at the bottom. The Mercure is the top most orange marker (the Hilton is a few blocks closer to the Old Town). And yes, that is an active volcano on the left - Pichincha. It last erupted in 1999 :shock: and covered the city with several inches of ash. Before that, it erupted in the 1500s and 1600s. Check out this pic of the 1999 eruption - I bet a few sphincters were contracting that day!




Here are my wanderings of today, from my hotel in the NE, through the Old Town to the Virgin of Quito statue in the SW. As usual, I over did it, and am recuperating over a hot chocolate right now. Still not up to any grog, what with the antibiotics and all, and I'm savouring the US$ savings!



First stop was the nice little Plaza San Blas. The view out is pretty typical of Quito. Did I mention its hilly ?




First major stop is the Plaza de la Independencia, or the Grand Plaza. Not large but very pretty and flanked by several notable buildings such as the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Presidential (Carondelet) Palace and the Archbishop's Palace. In the centre is the monument to the independence heroes of August 10, 1809 (the 'first cry of independence). It used to host a bull ring from time to time.

Cathedral and independence monument in LH pic, the Presidential Palace in the RH pic.




Metropolitan Cathedral. More on these buildings later.

 

[jojen]

So sorry to hear you have been sick, but hopefully by now almost recovered.

After reading this so far and looking at the photos another place added to our list to visit !!

Enjoy the rest of your trip.

jojen

 

[JohnM]

coughies even have mating dances-

If you see a mating dance, make sure not to blink as the action heats up - otherwise you'll miss the copulation . Those boys have style .

 

[drron]

They did indeed do the complete performance right at my feet.Our guide told me not to move as I may upset them.

 

[RooFlyer]

Free tours of the Presidential Palace (Palacio de Carondelet) run every 30 minutes, last nearly an hour and you book at an un-marked booth at the south end. I walked past at 10:30am and most of the tours were already booked out, but as a single I snagged an 11:30am tour.

The history of the building dates back to the 1600 as a local seat of governance for the Spaniards, who had their centres in Columbia and Peru. It has been remodelled a number of times, and repaired after earthquakes. Today it is in two main halves. To the South, the administrative offices of the President (not open to the public) ; to the north, State rooms; there are accommodations on the upper level. its only during the term of the current President, Raphael Correa (elected 2006) that the Palace has been open to the public.

I was the only Anglo in the tour group, but the guide kindly gave me a summary in English of all the stopping points - I was not expecting this. You need photo ID (also to make a booking), which is taken for the duration of the tour, then go though usual security. But before this, my first experience was of the guards at the entrance. Although he looks like a candidate from the Ministry of Silly Walks, I caught the guy at the left about to pivot



The first feature is this modern mural. I didn't get the full meaning but apparently it shows the journey of early Spaniards across Ecuador to the Amazon, where they met fierce female-led warriors and gave the name of the area from Greek mythology. There are very nice garden courtyards at the centre of the north and south wings.




A simple gallery separates the north and south wings on the second level, and I took this picture of the mural in the background and the magnificent display of roses, which occur throughout the Palace.




The room on the left is the Cabinet Room, with each seat labelled with the office of the occupant. At the right is the Banqueting room; along the sides are cases with gifts to the current President from around the world. There are some pretty rich stuff there!! I thought that sort of thing stopped in the 19th Century . President Correa has decreed that all these gifts are the property of the republic.




On the left is the president's Room, named for the portraits of the Presidents along the top of the walls. But no dictators! Only elected presidents, or appointed by Congress in the early days . Significant ceremonial events occur in this room. On the right, the Presidential sash of Correa.



Apparently the Palace has been looted more times than is respectable. Most of the furniture and fittings are relatively modern.

 

[JohnM]

Did your guide point out or say much about the short-lived 'crazy' Presidente of a few years back. It appeared to be a slightly touchy subject. His picture pretty much said it all.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

"....... and the magnificent display of roses, which occur throughout the Palace. "

RooFlyer, the roses are fantastic. At our hotel there were huge vases of roses at every turn. It must be the weather or the altitude ?

 

[RooFlyer]

Did your guide point out or say much about the short-lived 'crazy' Presidente of a few years back. It appeared to be a slightly touchy subject. His picture pretty much said it all.

No, it was pretty much an 'All the way with Rafael Correa' show.

"....... and the magnificent display of roses, which occur throughout the Palace. "

RooFlyer, the roses are fantastic. At our hotel there were huge vases of roses at every turn. It must be the weather or the altitude ?

Yes, I like 'em too, so here they are again



And on every table in the Mercure:

 

[JohnM]

"....... and the magnificent display of roses, which occur throughout the Palace. "

RooFlyer, the roses are fantastic. At our hotel there were huge vases of roses at every turn. It must be the weather or the altitude ?

Ecuador and Colombia are enormous producers of roses (Colombia's about 2x Ecuador's), particularly for the US cut-flower market. The moderate temperatures at the higher altitudes and the uniform daylength because of their lower latitude location means year-round production.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

I'll raise your vase of pink, with my 2 of red and yellow !

 

[RooFlyer]

I mentioned how the gifts to the current President have been 'donated' to the people. In a similar vein, the Prez will donate all the various and many awards he has been given during his term. There are 4 display cases with these. Most seem to consist of decorations and other golden goodies from other South American Presidents. Lots of 'em.





From the balcony are great views of the Grand Plaza.







Final views from within the Palace. That walkway again and the coat of Arms of Ecuador.