Trip to Ecuador

Day 10 - Thursday, November 16, 2023 - Guayaquil

On our own today. Slept in and had a nice breakfast at the hotel. Then we headed to Santa Anna Hill, a section by the side of the malecon, and climbed the 444 steps to get to the top. This is an area that was cleaned up by the government. At the top we climbed another 49 steps to the top of the lighthouse. We also visited the little church there. We ran into Patricia, Susan, Rob and Suzette. From there we went to the MAAC, the anthropological museum, and we met the group again as we were leaving. Our next stop was the gondolas but they were temporarily closed so we grabbed a drink and walked to a nearby church. We returned to the gondolas and met the "crew". We missed jumping on their gondola out to Duran Island but rode back with them.  We had lunch at a cute little cafe and went to Centennial Park via the gondola. After it was on to the malecon to take a boat ride but no one was there. We returned to the hotel for dinner which was ceviche and pasta bolognese. Went back to the room and watched Thursday night football.

View from our hotel room

View of river

San Martin

The Malecon

Making our way up the steps

Only at 171

Seeing the sights along the way

Made it to the lighthouse

444 now 49 more to the top of the lighthouse

Happy to rest for a while

The gondola

Lunch with some of our fellow travelers

Mural as seen from the gondola

Centennial Park

Had to try the Emcebollada - their special soup

 

Trip to Ecuador

Day 11 - Friday, November 17, 2023 - Guayaquil to JFK +1

Last Day. Breakfast again at the hotel. We ate with Suzette as many of the others have left already. She does leave earlier than we do but we have a whole day ahead of us. We went to the Artisanal Market for our last purchases. For lunch we stopped for cake and juice and cold chai tea. We heard a band playing one block away from our hotel in front of the chocolate museum and stopped to enjoy the entertainment. From there we walked to Iguana Park and went to the Cathedral of Guayaquil. There was an orchestra there and they were rehearsing for something. Strolled to the malecon and waited again to take the boat ride. Left at 4:00 for a 40 min. ride. From there it was on to Fridas, a Mexican restaurant, for margaritas, nachos and alambre - Yum. Sat and enjoyed the night until it was time to get our suitcases and go. Exoticca had a taxi waiting for us and we got to the airport quickly. The line was horrendous but we made it through although our flight was a bit delayed. The flight was fine and got home safely. It was another wonderful trip. Can't believe it took me 51 years to get back to Ecuador. To say it had changed would be an understatement but I'm so glad we went. Our group of travelers were a fun group and great travel companions.

Breakfast at the hotel

One of the many statues that dot the city

A snack

A band playing near our hotel

Views on the Malecon

McDonalds on the malecon

Spider man

Not just one super hero though - Popeye too

Our hotel - steps from the Malecon

Great drinks

And delicious food.

Que rico!

Rhine River Cruise

 Day 1 - JFK to Amsterdam - Saturday, September 23, 2023

It was a rainy, nasty day and Vesna graciously drove us to JFK. Other than an uncooperative kiosk we got through check in and security without issues. The weather caused a delay in takeoff and we left an hour and a half late. They said we might have some turbulence but thankfully we lucked out. Flight was fine, Delta's food was not great, but we made it there and only slightly past the original arrival time.