For those of you who asked me before the trip: why Quito? The answer is now a resounding: why not Quito? It is an awesome place, there is so much to see and do and I only did very little in three days here. I am coming back for sure, health permitting off course, I need to see the Amazon and the Galápagos Islands !!!
Today was an easy day, I had a late start from the hotel since I had no tours scheduled, thank god, I needed this rest to recoup before another marathon in Lima Peru starting tomorrow. I checked out of my room and left my big backpack at the hotel, since the front desk person proposed to take me to the airport around 2 PM local time to catch my Lima flight at 6:30 pm.
My hotel was ideally located in the old city of Quito so I walked few blocks and was right in the heart of Quito! It was my lucky day again as I ran into the presidential motorcade right next to the president's residence. There was some security officer around, but I was right there a stone throw from the Ecuadorian president's limo!!!! By the time I tried to snap a picture they zoomed bye off course but I managed to catch some of his escort cars.
Here is a sampling of pictures from today.... Enjoy the tour!!!
With this my trip to Quito comes to an end!!! Lima Peru is next and I hope it will be just as exciting as Quito!!!
Today was an easy day, I had a late start from the hotel since I had no tours scheduled, thank god, I needed this rest to recoup before another marathon in Lima Peru starting tomorrow. I checked out of my room and left my big backpack at the hotel, since the front desk person proposed to take me to the airport around 2 PM local time to catch my Lima flight at 6:30 pm.
My hotel was ideally located in the old city of Quito so I walked few blocks and was right in the heart of Quito! It was my lucky day again as I ran into the presidential motorcade right next to the president's residence. There was some security officer around, but I was right there a stone throw from the Ecuadorian president's limo!!!! By the time I tried to snap a picture they zoomed bye off course but I managed to catch some of his escort cars.
Here is a sampling of pictures from today.... Enjoy the tour!!!
One of many squares in the old Quito
Shoe shining is alive and well in a plaza near the government buildings
Freedom square with a Statue of Liberty in the middle given by the French government (they should give one to Algeria too!!!)
Another view of freedom square where all the branches of government are located including the very powerful church!
Nice pedestrian street with cafes
Beautiful buildings everywhere
Presidential motorcade entering the government building
Note that the pickup truck is for police!
Another car from the motorcade
