Panama City

 After an awesome night of sleep we went down to our free breakfast. I have to be careful when eating because my guts are not right!

Later- and they still aren't///Darn it;   however we took the opportunity to go on the metro to go to the old part of town. It was a bit of a walk but I am glad we did it as I wanted to see the area in our short time here (we also got familiar with the metro).

Photo taken from the old part of town looking southward. There are some amazing buildings here

In the distance is the bridge of the Americas over the Panama canal.

It is 31 degrees today with 100% humidity (MUGGY). Because I am not well I seemed to have a harder time then normal.

By 2:30 PM we were back at our air conditioned hotel room and my cell phone shows over 10,000 steps.

Today we booked an air bnb in Santa Marta Colombia, arriving on Feb 1 and leaving Feb 14th. After that, a couple days in Bogota and then back home.

Later-We walked down the street aways and found a wonderful restaurant. We ordered a regular meal each (Cod for Caro and chicken Milanese for me. The food was incredible but was WAY too much. We each couldn't eat our meal and it was a shame to waste it but we didn't want to overeat. 

I seem to be doing much better so if all is well tomorrow we are going to the Miraflores canal locks.

   

Panama City

Thanks everyone for the birthday greetings!!! 

We spent a couple of hours just vegging around the hotel and walking in the downtown area.

One thing I wanted to show was our bedroom door 

This has no glass in it and there are a couple of lockable shutters on the inside of these doors. The reason for no glass is because the room has no windows so the only way to get air circulation is to open the shutter doors and air flows into the room through the outside door.

Caro saw the palace changing of the guard at noon.

"Our Guy" Jaime took us to the airport quite early and we had 4 hours until our flight to Panama City.

We arrived at 8:30 PM and it took an hour to get immigration etc. completed.

Our hotel is nice so far (and the airconditioning works (31 degrees today)

Last full day in Quito

 After three full days of 12 hour tours we decided today was a day to recoup our energy.

We were on-line this morning getting hotel rooms for Panama City booked starting tomorrow night (for four nights).

While on-line I attempted to find out how high the zipline was above the river (for yesterday). The best I could come up with was about 500 feet. Caro mentioned tonight that she felt bad for laughing at my predicament yesterday (you know, close to dying, terrifying, praying the zipline doesn't snap etc- my goodness but she is an evil woman LOL).

We walked the streets of the historical part of the city (our area) for a while.

After a quick chat with the hotel desk clerk for ideas on where to go we grabbed a taxi to another part of the city to a famous bakery/restaurant. Caro had a wonderful empanada while I had an Ecuadorian pizza (MEHH!)

With plenty of time still we took a short cab ride to Carolina Park which is a large mid city spot containing botanical gardens and numerous places for sports or just lazing around. The most interesting part there was the wonderful buildings located along the east side of the park.

About 5:30 we headed out to a recommended restaurant nearby called Casa Los Geranios and there we celebrated my 65th birthday (one day early). We ordered Argentinian Malbec wine  followed by traditional Ecuadorian food. An Excellent meal. 

 All in all it was a wonderful last day in Quito- a city that upon arrival we were feeling disappointed but now we are extremely happy with our time here.

Nerves of Steel Part 2

 Well I almost made it back but I didn't. I slowed down again and as I couldn't lift my head up (really not sure why) I didn't see them throwing a rope for me to catch.

Well I stopped short then started sliding backwards towards the middle and there I floated 10,000 FEET ABOVE THE RIVER. I didn't panic (I couldn't do anything anyway) so I looked at the river and the valley until I was pulled back up by my rescuer. I had no idea how they rescued me or anything until I saw the video. The fellow never said a word to me and I couldn't look up to see. I really don't know if I was there for five minutes or ten.

The rescuer is heading out to me. I am the far left orange "blob"

Here the rescuer is almost to me

This  is my first attempt to come in before I slipped backwards

This photo indicates more happiness than I felt LOL.

I am really not too sure of future zipline adventures!

Next we went to the Devils Face Falls. We had to walk down to the river and then up the other side to the base of the falls. It was a long way down.

By the time we got to the base of the falls we were wearing our rain ponchos (much needed by then as this part of Ecuador is the beginning of the Amazon Rain Forest.

Getting behind these falls required our superior spelunking skills (going into caves) which of course we have none! For a short while we were on our hands and knees (in our ponchos) occasionally bashing our heads against the roof as we navigated the relatively short passageway. 

The climb out took all of my remaining energy and I was definitely the slow donkey on that hike.

We stopped in town and purchased some local taffy-like candy. It reminded me of the small red and black wrapped candies we used to get (as kids) on Halloween.

We also stopped at a special town where Jaime treated us to a famous fruit flavoured ice cream (think fudge sickles but a hundred time better)

It rained on the way home and we arrived at 730 PM

Nerves of Steel. Body of old man!

 This is the second attempt at this blog post. This is part 1

Jaime picked us up at 0700 and we were on our way to Banos (Ban yos). We treavelled the same road as yesterday for about 90 minutes before heading east up into the mountains.

We travelled through some indigenious towns. The women wear beautiful traditional clothes.

The fruits and flowers that could be purchased at roadside locations were fantastic and Caro purchased a few kinds of fruit. Incidently 24 roses could be purchased for one dollar.

We saw huge amounts of sugar cane and later in the day we were able to watch some being crushed and then we purchased some. It tastes wonderful.

The scenery in these mountains is spectacular (the same as yesterday.

First major stop of the day was a cable car across the river valley. After a bit of nerves we enjoyed the ride back and forth.

The photos are slightly out of order but I can't figure out how to rearrange them tonight.AARRGGHH

Immediately after finishing on the cable car we drove down the road a very short way to one of the numerous ziplines here (this town is very well known as an adventure style vacation location).

For $10USD each we decided (with "some" trepidation) to "go for it"

Suiting up in all the safety gear went smoothly.Cameras and anything else that could fall off a person were placed in zippered pockets. Eye glasses had string attached to hold them on. We were instructed on what to do and then (starting with Jaime,then Caro,then me) we were loaded like a flying Superman for our individual trips (both directions).

Soon it was my turn (gulp).Off I went ,sort of enjoying the view at (maybe) 10,000 FEET ABOVE THE RIVER. OK only a few hundred meters ( I am not sure and couldn't find out from the internet tonight)

I was slowing down too soon at the far end and they had to throw a rope for me to catch and then I was pulled in.

Going back I was again the final one. Now I am a pro at this and it should be good.Right??

Go to part 2 of todays blog.

Quilotoa volcano

 Today we went on a 12 hour excursion (0730 to 1930 hrs) with a small group tour company. 

Pick up went  smoothly and soon we were driving the long length of Quito before entering the countryside southbound on the Pan American highway. We were fortunate to see Cotopaxi volcano in the distance and it is continuing an eruption that began four months ago. We couldn't get a decent photo from the bus however tomorrow we are going past it again. Fingers crossed.

Once we got off the main highway we switch-backed UPPP into the mountains,eventually arriving at a very high plateau. 

I am not exaggerating when I say this drive through the highlands is one of the best drives we have ever been on. Simply breathtaking! Every corner we went around had amazing scenery. We were about 14000 feet and there were villages along the way and fields that stretched all the way up some of the mountains. So many photographic locations.

When we were getting close to the volcano the driver stopped at a very small tourist store ("Come on in and buy some souvenirs"). The guide brought out small samples of a local moonshine product called "Canelazo". It was pretty good.

We were in a double decker bus and this time the guide told us that whoever wanted to ride up top could do so so I quickly added a layer of clothing and up Caro and I went (with just about all 14 tour guests coming up as well).

It took me 10 seconds of driving to realize I was greatly underdressed!   BRRRR

Ten minutes later we were at another stop so I layered up more and put my tuque on.

It is a bit hard to tell in this photo but in the middle is a gorge cut through the lava and pyroclastic flow from the volcano's last eruption 1800 years ago.

The lake in the caldera of this volcano is stunning. The photo don't do it justice at all.

It is five kilometers wide and has a trail down to the bottom. Unfortunately there are also horses to bring people back because at this altitude (12,746 feet down to the lake at 11542 feet) some people cant get back  on their own (and the cost for the horse ride is $10 so it isn't a big problem for tourists).

We walked down a little ways before turning back because there was getting to be more horse poop. Of course there was a photo op with an alpaca, Too beautiful to pass up that!

Upon returning to the top Caro bought some street food which she had wanted too before so she didn't pass up the opportunity this time.

This is a white corn roasted over charcoal and smothered in cheese and mayo.

I had a taste and enjoyed it too.

Later we ate at the restaurant the guide took us to and we each had Ecuadorian food  and fruit juice.

We had to wait a long time as part of the trip includes sufficient time for those who wish to walk to the lake snd back (2 1/2 hours).

The fog came over the lake about 2 P.M. but that didn't impact us. Our three hour drive back was foggy and rainy pretty much all the way.

Another wonderful day

Below are three close up photos of some flowers I liked. They are not that big (an inch or or so),

A bucket list completion

 Today is another one of those "never to be forgotten" days that we are lucky enough to have on many of our adventures.

"Our guy" Jaime picked us up about 0845 for our fun filled day. 

We started by going to the TeleferiQo (Sky tram) and we proceeded into the clouds about 3/4 of the way up the mountain. Quito is situated at 9350 feet to begin with and after getting off at the top we walked up to the very top which is at 13287 feet, While up there in the fog we took the opportunity to go on the swing set (which is the thing to do while there).

We get seniors discounts too (OK I am cheating by 4 days but close enough!)

Next we drove out of the city and stopped at a famous location which is an indigenous reserve located down inside an extremely fertile volcano floor (it last erupted 2000 years ago).

Next stop, THE EQUATOR,

There is the famous location of the equator (as designated a long time ago by the French scientists) and this has been built up as a large touristy area with many shops etc. and while we did go there (and took a few photos) we first went to the REAL EQUATOR which was determined (by modern GPS technology) to actual be located about 200 meters away

And here we are !!

The guide at this location was really good and she gave us a very good description of the indigenous peoples of the country and had many displays including something I have never seen before, a shrunken head of an approximately  12 year old boy from about 150 years ago. It is a little bigger than the size of my fist.

After several cool displays we went to the equator and after everyone had taken their photos...

we did little experiments exactly on the line that we really neat. Here is Caro trying to balance on egg on a nail. Neither of us could it (and neither could anyone else on our group). Of course the much practiced guide did it in a few seconds .

A VERY neat experience.

I have now completed what I call the fours corners (not really corners)

Firat I went with Dad to the  farthest north town in the world Longyearbyen(800 miles from the north pole).

Next Caro and I went went to Ushuaia Argentina (the farthest south town in the world) and this past year Caro and I were in Greenwich England and went to the 0 degree longitude line.

After returning to the city Jaime took us to the Jesus statue on the mountain near us.

Jaime is expensive (by our standards) at $160USD (cash only)  however he is so good and so wonderful that we have booked him for two days from now for an all day trip to Banos (the experiences with him are worth the cost)

I had (foolishly thought) that $1000 USD and credit cards would be sufficient for us on our trip but Jaime is getting a large portion of that (and we are just started)

When we returned to the hotel at about 4 PM I went "on line" to get tickets for our January 24th flight however I had an hour of aggravation with slow internet and a wonky airline website. Because our next two days are 10-12 hour tours we HAD to book today otherwise we would be booking on Monday for a next day flight which would be expensive. About 515 PM Caro went to the front desk and after chatting with the fellow there she got the name and location of a travel agency. Out the door we flew and we arrived 25 minutes later (rush hour traffic) at 545 PM with the agency due to close in 15 minutes. They were wonderful and got us set up for the Jan 24th flight however it took them an hour. We thanked them profusely and I note that they did charge us $90USD for their services but it took a huge load off our minds!

Upon our return we went to an area near here FULL of restaurants but we didn't see anything that grabbed us so we walked 5 or 6 blocks back to the place we went last night for another fabulous meal. While eating Caro noticed a religious procession at the church nearby. She went to watch (getting good video in the process) while I ate and watched her food grow cold!

Another great day!