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Best Photos of Ecuador Travels (January 2008)

Even though Ecuador is small (about the size of the U.K.) it is both a fascinating and beautiful country. It is the smallest country in the rugged Andean highlands, but it has much to offer including an array of vibrant indigenous cultures, well-preserved colonial architecture, breathtaking Andes Mts. with active volcanic landscapes, dense rainforests of the Amazon jungle and the timeless Galapagos Islands with its Darwinian natural environment. It is a one of the world’s great destinations for its colorful culture, wildlife, outdoor activities and beauty.
Best of Ecuador cover page.
Best of Ecuador cover page.		 Map of Ecuador with the star indicating Quito.
Map of Ecuador with the star indicating Quito.		 Plaza de la Independencia, or Plaza Grande, in Quito is flanked by the Presidential Palace where the president of Ecuador lives.
Plaza de la Independencia, or Plaza Grande, in Quito is flanked by the Presidential Palace where the president of Ecuador lives.		 The Plaza Grande Hotel overlooking Plaza de la Independencia in Quito. It was Quito's first 5-star hotel.
The Plaza Grande Hotel overlooking Plaza de la Independencia in Quito. It was Quito's first 5-star hotel.
The fountain with pedestrians passing time in Plaza de la Independencia.
The fountain with pedestrians passing time in Plaza de la Independencia.		 This is one of 3 statues of liberty in the world, the other two being in New York and Mexico City.
This is one of 3 statues of liberty in the world, the other two being in New York and Mexico City.		 Façade of the awe-inspiring Metropolitan Cathedral. Work began on it between 1550 and 1560.
Façade of the awe-inspiring Metropolitan Cathedral. Work began on it between 1550 and 1560.		 View of San Francisco Plaza with San Francisco Church in the background (the most imposing of Quito's architectural monuments).
View of San Francisco Plaza with San Francisco Church in the background (the most imposing of Quito's architectural monuments).
Close-up of El Panecillo. The Spanish artist Agustín of the Herrán Matorras made this aluminum monument in 1976.
Close-up of El Panecillo. The Spanish artist Agustín of the Herrán Matorras made this aluminum monument in 1976.		 A rainy night photo of Plaza Grande with the Presidential Palace and the Metropolitan Cathedral steeple in the background.
A rainy night photo of Plaza Grande with the Presidential Palace and the Metropolitan Cathedral steeple in the background.		 Evening lights reflecting from the Archbishop's Palace.
Evening lights reflecting from the Archbishop's Palace.		 The Equatorial (Middle of the World) Monument, which was built in 1938 by French scientists to prove Newton's theories.
The Equatorial (Middle of the World) Monument, which was built in 1938 by French scientists to prove Newton's theories.
Close-up of the carved wooden statue by the indigenous (Quicha) people.
Close-up of the carved wooden statue by the indigenous (Quicha) people.		 An authentic shrunken head at the Equatorial Museum.
An authentic shrunken head at the Equatorial Museum.		 A Quicha wooden carving on display at the museum.
A Quicha wooden carving on display at the museum.		 I am standing at the true center of the earth (proved by GPS) at the Equatorial Museum.
I am standing at the true center of the earth (proved by GPS) at the Equatorial Museum.
A fruit and vegetable vendor amongst his produce.
A fruit and vegetable vendor amongst his produce.		 Tourists disembarking from the Chiva Express train that took us through the Andes Mts.
Tourists disembarking from the Chiva Express train that took us through the Andes Mts.		 Ecuadorian cowboys greeting us at La Alegria hacienda, during a train stop on the Chiva Express.
Ecuadorian "cowboys" greeting us at La Alegria hacienda, during a train stop on the Chiva Express.		 This cowboy opened a pen to let out alpacas and llamas into the corral.
This cowboy opened a pen to let out alpacas and llamas into the corral.
Alpacas and llamas running into the corral.
Alpacas and llamas running into the corral.		 Tambo Roses produces and exports a great number of rose varieties that are shipped all over the world.
Tambo Roses produces and exports a great number of rose varieties that are shipped all over the world.		 Another gorgeous rose that was blooming at the rose farm.
Another gorgeous rose that was blooming at the rose farm.		 Bunches of roses in a multiple colors to be shipped out for Valentines Day.
Bunches of roses in a multiple colors to be shipped out for Valentines Day.
Ash billowing from the volcano.
Ash billowing from the volcano.		 This Ecuadorian man in alpaca chaps posed with an alpaca.
This Ecuadorian man in alpaca chaps posed with an alpaca.		 A bucolic photo of the Taller de Tagua gift shop, which is next to the train tracks.
A bucolic photo of the Taller de Tagua gift shop, which is next to the train tracks.		 The landscape is very verdant because it rains a lot there.
The landscape is very verdant because it rains a lot there.
View from the top of the Chiva Express. It was becoming more mountainous.
View from the top of the Chiva Express. It was becoming more mountainous.		 A produce truck was being unloaded at the Indian market.
A produce truck was being unloaded at the Indian market.		 School children in Guamote lined up along this fence before the Chiva Express pulled away.
School children in Guamote lined up along this fence before the Chiva Express pulled away.		 The train made an unscheduled stop, because of a mudslide that made the tracks impassable.
The train made an unscheduled stop, because of a mudslide that made the tracks impassable.
Me standing on the back of the Chiva Express at the Alausí train station.
Me standing on the back of the Chiva Express at the Alausí train station.		 View of Devil's Nose. Construction of the switchbacks there was one of the world's most impressive feats of rail engineering.
View of Devil's Nose. Construction of the switchbacks there was one of the world's most impressive feats of rail engineering.		 View while we passed along the precipitous rock wall of Devil's Nose.
View while we passed along the precipitous rock wall of Devil's Nose.		 View of Centennial Park, which commemorates Guayaquil’s independence on October 9, 1820.
View of Centennial Park, which commemorates Guayaquil’s independence on October 9, 1820.
Statue of Simon Bolivar who was a patriot, statesman and liberator of five South American Republics including Ecuador.
Statue of Simon Bolivar who was a patriot, statesman and liberator of five South American Republics including Ecuador.		 The iguanas were there before the park, because prior to it being a park, it was a mangrove.
The iguanas were there before the park, because prior to it being a park, it was a mangrove.		 This little boy was hanging onto the tail of one of his new friends!
This little boy was hanging onto the tail of one of his new friends!		 The current neo-Gothic Metropolitan Cathedral was completed in 1948. It has impressive stained glass windows and a marble altar.
The current neo-Gothic Metropolitan Cathedral was completed in 1948. It has impressive stained glass windows and a marble altar.
Composite photo of the Gothic interior.
Composite photo of the Gothic interior.		 The spectacular front stained glass window in a Rosetta pattern.
The spectacular front stained glass window in a Rosetta pattern.		 View of San José Church in Plaza de la Integración in Guayaquil.
View of San José Church in Plaza de la Integración in Guayaquil.		 In 1931, they filled part of the river. It is now part of Malecón 2000, an urban renewal project with the pier and boardwalk.
In 1931, they filled part of the river. It is now part of Malecón 2000, an urban renewal project with the pier and boardwalk.
This policeman was on duty on the pier.
This policeman was on duty on the pier.		 An interesting vantage point of the Olmedo statue.
An interesting vantage point of the Olmedo statue.		 One of many vendors along the promenade.
One of many vendors along the promenade.		 The Moorish Clock Tower was inaugurated in 1842 following the worst yellow fever outbreak ever in Guayaquil.
The Moorish Clock Tower was inaugurated in 1842 following the worst yellow fever outbreak ever in Guayaquil.
Administration Square with a building built in the 1950's, which is part of City Hall.
Administration Square with a building built in the 1950's, which is part of City Hall.		 Note the arched glass roof of this Italian-style part of City Hall.
Note the arched glass roof of this Italian-style part of City Hall.		 Kids playing by a fountain in Administration Square.
Kids playing by a fountain in Administration Square.		 Sucre was in charge of the campaign to liberate Quito and won a decisive victory at the Battle of Pichincha in 1822.
Sucre was in charge of the campaign to liberate Quito and won a decisive victory at the Battle of Pichincha in 1822.
Close-up of some of the conspirators who tricked the Spanish.
Close-up of some of the conspirators who tricked the Spanish.		 Strollers along the pier, which is part of the Malecón 2000 urban renewal project.
Strollers along the pier, which is part of the Malecón 2000 urban renewal project.		 Along boardwalk are statues of Presidents of Ecuador who came from Guayaquil.
Along boardwalk are statues of Presidents of Ecuador who came from Guayaquil.		 View of the main monument of Malecón, which was dedicated in 1936.
View of the main monument of Malecón, which was dedicated in 1936.
It commemorates the meeting of Simon Bolivar and San Martin to declare independence from Spain.
It commemorates the meeting of Simon Bolivar and San Martin to declare independence from Spain.		 Since Simon Bolivar (on the left) was so short, the sculptor made him much taller so he would equal St. Martin's stature!
Since Simon Bolivar (on the left) was so short, the sculptor made him much taller so he would equal St. Martin's stature!		 Santana Hill is one of the oldest parts of Guayaquil where the city was first established.
Santana Hill is one of the oldest parts of Guayaquil where the city was first established.		 The old wooden houses are now being painted in bright cheerful colors giving the neighborhood its charm.
The old wooden houses are now being painted in bright cheerful colors giving the neighborhood its charm.
Another cemetery view. The graves are above ground because Guayaquil was built on a mangrove.
Another cemetery view. The graves are above ground because Guayaquil was built on a mangrove.		 Sculpture of a fisherman in Guayaquil. Too bad the Guayas River is so polluted!
Sculpture of a fisherman in Guayaquil. Too bad the Guayas River is so polluted!

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MARIANA M M S 16-Dec-2008 23:29
ESPERO ME COMPRENDAS NO SE ENGLISH PERO VIVO EN N.Y,TE FELICITO ESTAS FOTOS ESTAN SUPER QUE LINDAS TODAS NO SABES CUANTA ALEGRIA ME A DADO AL VER MI PAIS ECUADOR MI GUAYAQUIL COMO LO ESTRANO ERES LO MAXIMO TE FELICITO LOGRASTES UN EXELENTE TRABAJO MUCHAS GRACIAS ESPERO REGRESES DE NUEVO A MI ECUADOR LINDO Y QUERIDO SE NOTA QUE LO DISFRUTASTE TE MANDO MUCHOS SALUDOS MI NONBRE ES MARIANA M
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