Trip to Ecuador

Day 2 - Wednesday, November 8, 2023 - Quito/Tena/Amazon

This morning we had our Exoticca briefing. Evidently our guide got stuck somewhere but his replacement, Alex, will be taking care of us. Our first stop was Old Town, this was part of Quito that I remembered well and had not changed much in 50 years since I was there as a summer exchange student. We stopped at the National Basilica which was beautiful but not the church that I remembered most - that will come. Then it was on to a chocolate tasting. After taking a Rhine River Cruise just a few months prior and trying so much chocolate during the cruise, we found out that much of it probably was grown in Ecuador. We saw a row of churches and went to the main square where the Presidential "Palace" is located. Then we went to San Francisco Church which I remembered vividly. From there it was on to the Amazon rainforest. Unfortunately, even though we were going to a lodge that was closer to Quito than they usually frequented we broke down twice and were delayed in getting to our destination. We did stop for lunch but it wasn't at the planned restaurant. We had a nice lunch though and it was more than reasonable. Our lunch was 1/2 trout, plantains, beans, salad, rice, soup with beef, veggies and guayusa - Incan energy drink - all for $3.75.  By the time we got to Huasquila Lodge it was 6:30 - just about time for dinner. Everyone had the same meal which was fine for me but not all people were thrilled with that. After dinner we put on our boots and took a night walk through the jungle but we didn't see much but bugs, grasshoppers, tiny frogs and a huge spider. It was very muddy and slippery. Time for bed. 

Views of Old Town Quito

The National Basilica

Had to take a picture for Alma

Great place for a chocolate tasting

Along with tasting we learned all about chocolate

More Views of Old Town

Virgen of the Panecillo

Independence Monument

Metropolitan Cathedral of Quito

                                                                                 

Carondelet Palace- Seat of Government

San Francisco Church - this is the church I went to and
I remember being in awe when I first saw it

All the gold was stunning

On the way to Tena and the Amazon Jungle

Roast lamb and smoked meat

Lunch

As you can see the food was inexpensive in Ecuador

Rainbow on the way to the Amazon

Simple Accommodations at the Lodge 

Big spider sighted on our night walk