Historic Centre
Ecuador's capital Quito is just the second largest city in the country, after the port town Guayaquil on the South West coast. At the elevation of 2800 meters, Quito is world's second highest capital city after La Paz, Bolivia.
Metropolitan Cathedral of Quito.
Plaza de la Independencia or
Plaza Grande. Quito's historical centre was declared the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978 along with Krakow, Poland. The area around Plaza Grande, or the main square, is preserved nearly in its original form as during the colonial times.
The colonial style Presidential Palace is on the right.
Everyone can visit the Presidential Palace if they are willing to queue.
The presidential guards.
The view to the crowds as seen from the terrace of the Presidential Palace.
The historical centre is popular both with tourists as well as locals, who come there to spend a Sunday afternoon, observe other people and enjoy outdoors before it rains.
There are tens of churches in the central area.
Some street vendors in front of the church Compañia de Jesús try to earn their living from the tourists.
La Compañia de Jesús is so called golden church of the Baroque style. The construction started in 1605, and took until 1765 until it was finished.
The church is filled with golden details. The complete restoration took 19 years, from 1987 till 2005.
Next building beside the church is a museum.
Holding the rain on the stairs of the museum.
The neo-Gothic towers of the Basilica del Voto Nacional can be seen from far away.
The church, which they are still building, as seen from inside.
An Ecuadorian family having a picnic lunch alongside working in front of the Basilica del Voto Nacional.
Virgin Mary of El Panecillo is visible to many parts of the city. The monument is located 3000 meters above sea level on top of a hill.
On our way up to El Panecillo we passed many colonial houses.
On a clear day, one can see over the old town. At the time of our visit the view was already covered in clouds.
In the evening we headed to the popular Zona Rosa area, which is full of bars and restaurants.
Botanical Gardens
The last day was spent in the botanical garden of Quito. This
jardin botánico, where all of Ecuador's ecosystems are represented with a wide variety of flora, is in the park La Carolina.
Ecuador is the land of orchids. Even though orchids are considered as a rarity, they are much more common than we imagined. One in every ten plant species is an orchid; in Ecuador the diversity is even greater, as one in every four species is an orchid. There are approximately 4 250 types of orchids in Ecuador, and counting, as not all of the rain forest has been explored.
The adaptation skills of an orchid are impressive. They can grow in trees, on the ground, on stones and on volcanic lava. There are plants the size as small as a finger nail and as big as many meter high trees. Most of them actually grow on trees.
The nature of Ecuador is truly amazing. If we had had more time, we would have definitely visited the jungle or the Galapagos Islands.
Last weekend we were invited to a Colombian-Austrian wedding here in Bogotá. The etiquette said 'black tie' which meant it was going to be quite formal and fancy so I had to start a dress hunt!
The wedding took place in Bogotá at a beautiful little estate called Hacienda San Juan.
The view to the city was gorgeous especially when it got darker.
Chatting with the groom and getting to know some other people. The wedding was truly international with guests from all over the world - Austria, Colombia, Miami, Peru, Brazil, Finland, Switzerland...
Here comes the bride...
The priest gave the funniest speech I have ever heard. He was referring to the bride as the Good Wife and was reminding the couple that if either one of them gets bored with each other, there's no exchanging, because it's too late! This is now it. :D
"I now pronounce you husband and wife!"
After the round of congratulations it was time to move to indoors.
All the single ladies, all the single ladies, all the single ladies, all the single ladies... Now put your hands up!
The eager bachelors are waiting for the garder...
After the dinner and the first dance as a married couple the programme included wild dancing, masquerade and whisky.
