Quito and Vicinity
Friday, 05 February 2010 13:46
We have met wonderful people in Quito. Claus, the owner of Casa Helbing drove us to a garage where the tires Wendy brought down were mounted at no charge. A man passing by stopped to tell us he had the same moto as us and invited us to dinner! We enjoyed meeting and sharing trip stories with Armando and his girl friend in Armando’s beautiful apartment overlooking the city. We know some people have had muggings and robberies in Quito, and we did duck into a shop once to avoid a possible set-up, but we had nothing but great experiences.
Quito
Local Quito Market
Quito - Plaza Grande
We climbed to the top of Basilica Voto Nacional (over a rickety wooden plank above the rafters and up several metal ladders on the outside of the building to the bell tower) for a breathtaking view of the old and new cities.
Basilica Voto Nacional Wooden Plank
Basilica Voto Nacional
Quito - New Town
Quito - Old Town
Basilica Voto Nacional
>We also took a beautiful ride past Volcano Cotopaxl and stopped at Laguna Quilotoa, a green lake in the crater of an old volcano.
Laguna Quilotoa
Road to Laguna Quiloto
Highlands
Andean Dwelling
Road to Laguna Quilotoa
We passed many women in the traditional black hats and skirts, tending the sheep in the mountains and gathering firewood.
Tending the Sheep
Andean Highlands
Temperatures range from sweaty hot, humid to very chilly and drizzling. You definitely have to be ready for anything. Roads are full of potholes, washouts, sleeping dogs, cows, and donkeys.
More Buses
Securing Luggage
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2010-02-05 16:25:58 | jeff
Hey Mark,
Good to hear from you. The trip is totally awesome. If you get another chance to get down here than you should do it!
I may swing past Indiana on the way home so I'll give you a call when I do.
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2010-02-06 09:41:06 | Chris Kirk - Hi & CO
Hi Jeff
Follow you at least twice per week & am loving it!
If you do bring the GS to CO, I will be more inclined to bring the KTM ... well that would cap ... it as I am 99% sure that's the right bike to bring.
Have done some Jeep exploration in the San Juan's years ago and there are some superb riding trails.
Keep having a ball - Chris
Hi Jeff & Wendy,
Wendy sent Dad & Mom your Blog site and I checked it out. I sure have enjoyed reading and Seeing your big adventure.By the photos it looks like we are all getting older since we have seen each other.
I have spent some time in Central America but never as far South as you are. We had the chance a few years ago to fly down to Peru on a friends jet but it didn't work into our farming schedule...I'm jealous.
Be safe and know that your cousin is following your journey.
Your Cousin Mark (now a Grandfather)
Home on the Farm in Indiana