We walked to the nearby Houston Zoo. Very impressive! I’m sure our grandson Elon would have loved the reptiles, birds, fish and mammals in the second most visited zoo in the US.
Houston Zoo
Costa Rica Blues Festival
The 8th Annual Bluesfest was just down the beach from our hotel yesterday. What you would expect, a lot of people drinking, eating, dancing. 35c but they had a pool and the ocean is right there. The sunset walk home was also a highlight
https://crbluesfest.com/lineup/
The bands got better as the day progressed but we were sunned out before sundown
The walk home was beautiful
The prettiest lady on the beach!
Playa Potrero, Costa Rica
This little town down a 40km rough gravel road is worth the trip. We are staying in a small villa with kitchen and a nice pool, surrounded by lush landscaping, steps from the beach. The coast is dotted with beautiful beaches. Some are white sand, some are black and some are mixed. Four are within walking distance and often we are the only ones there. 35c everyday so we have a midday siesta(AC in our villa). Two weeks here and then home to Canada
Beaches along the coast early in the day
White and black sand mixing in the waves
on Penca Beach
Nice ocean view mansion
Relaxing in Quito
We spent a few relaxing days in Quito. We are staying in the old city in a studio apt. Beautiful churches, museums and surrounded by mountains. Highs around 21c. With sun/cloud mix always here. Off to Costa Rica waiting for the weather to improve in Manitoba
The view at night
The Basílica del Voto Nacional is the largest
neo-Gothic church in the Américas
The inside details of the Church of
Saint Francis are incredible
Early morning rose hue from the stained glass
There are more than 20 of these huge
stained glass windows in the Basílica
We visited the equator of course
On either side of the line water
will swirl to the left or the right
Renting bikes is a great way to see the city
Quilotoa
Today we bussed to the Quilotoa volcanic crater(4000m) with stops at the Saquisilí market, an indigenous house and an artisan market. We hiked down to the water, kayaked and hiked back up the 400 meters – very steep!
Beautiful fertile land on the way to the volcano
Most fruits are 1$ a dozen
Louise buying and eating herbs recommended
by our guide to treat cold symptoms
– smelled like sod to me
Here I am eating with the locals – very tasty
The roof on this hut is 50 years old and still good
The view from the top of the volcano
is spectacular
Loose sand and gravel with a steep grade
make for quite a bit of sliding underfoot
We were told to watch for bubbles In the water
as this is an active volcano
Checking out the views down here
Louise working her way up the switchbacks
Cotopaxi National Park
Today we bussed with a great group of international travellers for a hike to 5100m altitude followed by a high speed cycle down to the bottom! It was a blast!
Not so smooth, slow bus ride up from the valley
Wild horses all over left from when
people lived in the park
Still smiling despite the lack of air
Louise stopped here
Walking in the red lava
45 minute high speed downhill ride
Cycling the Route of the Waterfalls
We rented bikes and road to Puyo some 60 kms on the route of the waterfalls. They said it was all downhill- they lied! On and off pelting rain, 6 hours in total with a 1 hour hike in the middle to “The Devil’s Canyon”. Jumped on a bus to come back.
Louise cycled 1 km for every year
she has been alive
Quite a feat considering the massive hike yesterday
Devils Canyon, a steep hike in and out
Crawling on hands and knees to get to this spot
Waterfalls everywhere!
Great views all day long
The delta that joins up to the Amazon
Hiking in Banos
We hiked 3 hours plus and just when we needed it we found, Luna Volcan Spa Hotel which is exactly like the Fairmont hotels. Great lunch and then a taxi to Casa del Arbol, as close to the volcano as we reached. Our route is “S” I traced on the map below.
Steep all the way
The view from the top, Banos in the valley
Louise tried zip lining!
Cuenca to Banos
We bussed up and into the clouds to Baños de Agua Santa, a city in Ecuador’s Tungurahua province and a gateway to the nearby Amazon Basin. It’s known for access to trails on the active Tungurahua volcano just south, for its mineral-rich hot springs, and many waterfalls.
Very comfortable buses, movies, reclining seats, stops for a break
I had the chicken instead!
The view from our deck
A view on this mornings walk
Museum Pumpapungo and Piedra de Agua
We visited the Pumapungo Museum this morning. Displays of the various ancient cultures that inhabited this region. It includes a large outdoor archeological site. Self guided and free. Then we took a taxi to spend the afternoon at the Piedra de Agua thermal baths and spa. We booked the full tour, 2for1 special. 35$ for both of us. Very relaxing!
South America Adventure Amerique du Sud 2019 