Bluebonnet Ecuadarian Review

Quito: Highlights

2005-06-30T14:15:00.000-07:00

Old Town

Plaza del la Independencia: Made up of the Presidential Palace, Cathedral and the Archbishops Palace. The Presidential Palace houses the current President. The Cathedral is the resting place for the countries founder. The Archbishops Palace is made up of shops. There is an art museum just outside the plaza.

Plaza & Church of Santo Domingo: Features the statue of Mariscal Sucre (an independence leader) and the statue of the Virgin de Rosario.

El Panecillo (the little bread loaf): Features the Virgen de Quito and great views of the city.

Monestary of San Diego: Features 17th C. architecture at its best. Also has a museum and cemetery worth checking out.

La Cina de la Libertad: Features a fine view of the city, also a museum. Passport must be surrendered to check out the museum.

Schools Offering Language courses

2005-06-28T13:05:00.000-07:00

Costs $4-$10 per hour; Length can vary from days to months

Amazonas Spanish School
t. 252 7509
www.eduamazonas.com
Jorge Washington 718 @ Amazonas

Atahualpa
t. 254 5914, 225 1229
www. atahualpa.com
J. Pinto 375 @ JL Mera

Beraca (Old Town)
t. 228 8092
beraca@interactive.net.ec
Garcia Moreno 858

Beraca (New Town)
t. 290 6642
beraca@interactive.net.ec
Amazonas 1114

Bipo & Toni's
t. 255 6614
www.bipo.net
Jeronim Carrion E8-183 @ Leonidas Plaza Gutierrez

Instito Superior de Espanol
t. 222 3242
www.instituto-superior.net
Darquea Teran 1650 near 10 de Agosta

Vaccination to be considered

2005-06-24T14:09:00.000-07:00

Cholera
Of qustionable value but evidence of vaccination may be a requirement to go to various areas

Diptheria & Tetanus
Normally a childhood vaccination, boosters are required every 10 years or so.

Hepatitis A
Requires an initial injection and then a booster after 6-12 months. Immunity is thought to last for more than 10 years.

Hepatitis B
Probably of most value due to Hep B's ease of contraction and prevalence. Involves 3 injections over a 3 month period

Polio
On the verge of eradication, this vaccination normally involves a sugary substance and should be kept up to date.

Rabies
Only really necessary if animal handling is a possibility, treks into the jungle or with children. Requires 3 injections over a 1 month period and will require 2 further injections if infected.

Typhoid
Probably only really necessary if travel is over a few weeks. Vaccination can occur as an injection or in capsule form.

Yellow Fever
May be required if going to low-land Ecuador where the disease is endemic.

Detailed Map of Ecuador

2005-06-24T14:06:00.000-07:00

Bluebonnet Ecuadarian Review: June 2005

2005-06-23T17:45:00.000-07:00

Bluebonnet Ecuadarian Review: June 2005

Think of Vilcabamba: locally dubbed the vallley of lonevity: the pleasant climate here attracts visitors who simply want to relax

There is a place called Otavalo: Ecuadors most famous craft market and it boasts bargains galore

They say about Quito that it has a springlike climate with interesting museums and fine restaurants

There is a place called Montanita: It has the best surf great pancakes cheap sleeps and plenty of sun

You might be able to find some of those animals at Ingapirca which is Ecuadors premier Inca site

There is a place called the Isla de la Plata: nicknamed the poor mans Galapagos. Considerably easier to get to and almost as interesting for the birds and it is a breeding ground for whales

You might be able to try your hand at kayaking at a place called tena which has plenty of white water rafting as well

Let us not forget El Nariz del Diablo: The devils nose

There are jungle lodges near coca which are ideal for animal watching

Ecuador Borders

2005-06-22T19:57:00.000-07:00

In accordance with the The World Factbook, Ecuador should be an okay place to visit at this time; other than the factions/concerns for along the borders between Ecuador and Columbia due to the illicit drug trafficking in Columbia, which led to some 20,000 refugees fleeing Columbia in 2004.

The Lonely Planet.com reiterates the warning of staying away from the northern portions of Ecuador....some crimes due to unrest in Quito are occurring at this time....and some areas along the borders of Peru are mined.

Sounds like an all-round focus is to stay away from the borders of the country is in order!! :)

Travel Team Established

2005-06-22T16:03:00.000-07:00

Interesting .... I now have a travel partner to go to Ecuadar next Spring. I am excited about the idea of travelling there, but there is much to do in order to prepare ourselves for the trip, which is the reason that this blog has been set up.