Built on ancient inca ruins, the Plaza San Francisco is one of the main public square of the equatorian capital. Sitting on a bench at the end of the afternoon, we watched the comings and goings of quiteños (inhabitants of Quito). In the background, the statue of the winged Virgin overlooks the city from the hill “El Panecillo”.
Comings and goings of quiteños at the end of the afternoon, Plaza San Francisco, Quito (Ecuador)
We have now settled down for a few days in Quito, the capital of Ecuador. We are staying in the old town, the historical part of the city and making a daily visit to the mercado central (central market) for our food shopping.
After the third day in a row of shopping there, we start to have our habits and our favorite stands. This is fun! The colors, the smell are appealing and the products fresh. We are getting familiar with the señoras who now welcome us with big smiles. But señora Fabiola Menez, who sells the vegetables, is definitely my favorite of all!
Diverse land and friendly people, Colombia has a LOT to offer Unfortunately,-lots of people still associate the country with guerilla and cocaine! Go there by yourself and realize that the country has left this behind and welcomes you to discover its wonders. Ice on the cake: it won´t cost you too much.
What is the best way to explore a cloud forest reserve with trees as high as 40m? Zip-lining! Up to 50m above ground, going from one edge of a mountain to the next along a 100-300m long cable , with the feeling of the wind on your face and the adrenaline pumping in your heart. The closest to feel like flying… or like Tarzan! In Mindo, Ecuador.
The beauty of the rural side of Otavalo, Ecuador
About Explor’ of the day: During our South American journey, a daily pick to make you discover this amazing continent.
Proud at the top of Mount Fuya Fuya, Ecuador!
More on this achievement in a couple of days!
A visit to the village of Guatape was not part of our plans. But one recommendation and some googling later and here we were: soaking up the charm of this colorful village nested in a fantastic blue and emerald landscape.
Less than 2 hours away from brustling town Medellin, Guatape is a famous weekend getaway for paisas(locals) looking for some quiet time in the countryside. But for some reason, it still remains off the track of most tourists. 4 years ago, there were still no hostels there.
Trust me, add a stop in Guatape on your Colombian itinerary, you will not regret it!
You might come to Taganga for the diving -one of the cheapest place in the world to take your PADI open water certification – but you will stay for the rest. It’s not that the beach is that nice, nor that the city is the biggest party place of Colombia. But Taganga has everything that backpackers like: the proximity of the beach for the lazy feeling, plenty of hostels and restaurants for the service, cheap menu del dia for your budget, happy hours for distraction, and a good base to explore the region and the underwater world.
Just wondering what they were thinking of when they built the bathroom like that… #feelingreallysafe
Around the year 800 AD, some 600 years before Machu Picchu, Teyuna was chosen by precolombian indigenous culture as political and spiritual center of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (Colombia). At its peak, the city was home of 2000 people, living in harmony with nature and working on precious metals. Today, the only way to admire the ruins of this ancient city is to trek through the mountainuous jungle of the Sierra Nevada for 4 days.