Saturday, March 24, 2007

Ecuador: Perhaps the Perfect Family Destination

Ecuador is generally known for the Galapagos Islands and the country’s huge biodiversity, but the country offers so much more-- especially for families who seek a very special type of holiday experience. Travel is safe; natives are friendly, and the American dollar is always welcome!

Quito, the second highest Capital city in the world, is connected by daily direct flights to America’s gateway cities of Miami, Houston and Atlanta.

The city of Quito has not only been designated as a United Nations World Heritage Site, but it lies at the foot of South America’s most spectacular--and easy accessible---active volcano. Share practical natural history and physical science with your children just a few miles from Quito!

Less active or physically challenged travelers can ride a Cable car up to Cruz Loma, enjoying a stunning panorama and beautiful views of the city from an altitude of 13451 ft (4100 m).

You can either enjoy the views, or--if you are the more adventurous type--the more active traveler or family can hike up to Rucu Pichincha at 15338 ft (4574 m) above sea level.

Another option for visiting this spectacular volcano is with a day tour from Quito.

Although not well known, day tours can present one of the more interesting tours from Quito, taken with children in tow.

There is something for everyone.

Plan on starting early in the morning by car from Quito to Lloa and leave the car near the Mountain Refuge; walk up to Guagua Pichincha (Baby Pichincha) at 15341 ft (4675 m) above sea level. This volcano erupted recently—the last time in 1999. Taking a look inside the crater and smelling the gases oozing out gives children—and adults—an unmistakable impression of vulcanism and how the Earth developed. One will never forget the smell of sulphur. You can see, smell, and learn--and only 10km from Quito.

While in Ecuador, families—especially city dwellers with children who have never been around animals-- should enjoy a practical animal experience in the beautiful colonial haciendas La Alegria and Hato Verde, just south of Quito. Both Haciendas are real working farms and both offer beautiful accommodations to the traveler. Imagine your children learning that milk doesn’t come from the grocery—but that it comes from cows! Children love to try milking cows, and you will be able to capture video that will help make memories for years to come. Let them spend time around the horses or watch the cowboys simply doing their daily work at the farm. Both haciendas offer horseback riding tours both for beginners and for the very experienced rider. Children are very welcome on both haciendas and even small children enjoy the farm-life. If feeding sugar cubes and carrots to a horse, milking a cow, or riding a horse seems too adventurous for some, why not take one of the cooking classes at the hacienda? Discover spectacular new recipes for cookies... these haciendas are an excellent place to spend quality time with your family.

One tour option is for the technically astute. Boys and girls always love trains, and in Ecuador, they are in luck, for Ecuador has one of the most spectacular and chaotic railway systems in the world. The tracks and most of the infrastructure is in dire need of repair, but despite that, traveling by train is an excellent and safe opportunity to discover some uniquely beautiful parts of the country. Some of the railroad lines are spectacularly technical masterpieces, with tunnels, switchbacks, and climbs in elevation that will take your breath away. Unfortunately, as in many areas of the world, the trains of Ecuador have completely lost most of their economic importance enjoyed in previous times.

For those who want to travel by rail, Ecuador has given rise to a new type of rail travel, a unique vehicle, which always seems to be pictured in travelogues. Next to the real trains, consisting of a locomotive and cars, a kind of “truck on railroad wheels” called an “Autoferro” has developed. On most Autoferros, passengers travel comfortably on the roof. During the last year, because of their popularity and the history of travelers in Ecuador in this way, comfortable “autoferros” have been introduced where you can travel comfortably on the roof, or inside the “autoferro”.

A two day journey from Quito to Guayaquil can be particularly interesting for a family. It’s exciting, it’s different, and it’s something that will be long remembered as a family adventure.

First, plan your travel by autoferro from Quito - Cotopaxi National Park, then transfer and plan to travel by bus to Riobamba where you stay overnight. Enjoy Riobamba, but get to bed early because you catch the early morning train to Alausí, through the spectacular Nariz del Diablo (Devil’s Nose) to Huigra and Bucay.

From Bucay, take a bus to Guayaquil-- where you will arrive in the late afternoon. During the whole journey you’re in close contact with the local, mostly Indian population who live in the Andes Mountains. Find a rider who speaks English and strike up a conversation about the country. Ecuadorians are justifiably proud of their country, and your family will make a memory that will last forever—and just may make a new friend!

Between Huigra and Bucay you will leave the Andes Mountains and enter the tropical Pacific plain with its Banana plantations and tropical fruits. This journey from Quito to Guayaquil takes 2 days and it offers an unforgettable family experience.

At your destination, Guayaquil, this beautiful tropical city offers a lot for families. It is truly the most interesting tropical city in South America.

Take a one hour cruise on the “Pirate Ship” on the Guayas River and visit the Historical Park where you can view the local tropical flora and fauna. You can visit an old cacao farm, and realize the contrast to the simple farm houses you observed by the hundreds only the day before from the train. Stay in a hotel in Guayaquil itself, and not near the Airport.

Try the Hotel Unipark (4*) just opposite of the Parque Seminario or “Parque de las Iguanas” as it called by the locals. On this plaza, Iguanas walk freely, similar to cats and dogs in many neighborhoods in America. We’d suggest you not try to pet them, however!

Another wonderful option for overnight accommodation is the Grand Hotel de Guayaquil (3*) which has a small open-air swimming pool in the courtyard of the hotel.

It’s time for you to discover Ecuador. Ecuador is a marvelous destination location—just off the “beaten path.” There is much to discover, and once you’ve visited, you’ll want to return.

Monday, March 12, 2007

San Antonio de Ibarra opens Artisan workshops

Quito, Ecuador is generally regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Ringed by beautiful, snow covered peaks reaching up and touching the deep blue sky, Quito creates a world-class destination for travelers and visitors, and offers a true cosmopolitan experience, strongly influenced by both Spanish and Indian cultures from its past.

Traveling north of Quito, along the Pan-American Highway, lie the lush volcanic highlands. This land is rich and those who live here are friendly and cordial. You can live the visitor experience with colorfully attired indigenous people, historic haciendas, sparkling lakes, archeological treasures and towering volcanoes with verdant slopes
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A visit to the craft villages of the Northern Andes provides a unique glimpse into the lives of the indigenous people who inhabit the area. The luxurious haciendas offer you a true haven for relaxation while you enjoy the magnificent countryside.

Just west of Ibarra, along the Pan-American Highway, is San Antonio de Ibarra. This small town has received world acclaim for its woodcarvings. Carvings vary from small boxes to large human figures to pieces of modern art.

On the main street, called “Calle Ramon Teanga” you will find art workshops--located next to the other.

Through the half-opened door of an artisan workshop escapes an aroma of wood that attracts me to enter. Behind the door sits Antonio Cisneros. He’s working away—and it’s not a miracle, but little by little, the trunk of a tree is being transformed into a statue of Christ.

Cisneros explains me that he is a 5th generation artisan. In the beginning his ancestors carved only religious objects such as wooden Altars, figures of Christ, various Crucifix renderings, and Angels. The younger generation, of which Cisneros is a part, now produces all kinds of wooden works such as furniture, modern and religious sculptures, art frames etc.

In every workshop you can find treasures; ranging from small carved key rings which can cost a dollar or less, to elegant sculptures which can cost over two thousand dollars.

Alfonso Cisneros tells me that Pope Jean Paul II was one of his best clients. The last crucifix he completed for the Pope now adorns the city of Wadowice in Poland, the city where Jean Paul II was born. As proof of his claims, he shares aged and yellowed international newspaper articles, handled by dozens of hands reading and sharing the marvel of this small shop and its owner.

In the same street is the workshop of Edgar Benalcazar, a specialist in paintings of religious statues. He covers the wooden body of the sculpture with gold and silver. His works are monumental and adorn churches in both America and Europe. All his painting techniques are secret and are from the “Escuela Quitena”.

At most workshops, with previous appointments, the interested visitor can learn the technical aspects of old techniques such as “escrafiado.” In the escrafiado technique, one puts a thin layer of oil color above a gold covered sculpture, and when scraping the color off, the end result offers simply beautiful golden forms. Other techniques, such as “chinesco,” make the wood more resistant to aging and abuse.

All these techniques date from the 18th century.

And not everything offered is religious artwork—a variety of offerings for anyone can be found. When you walk along the “Calle Ramon Teanga,” you will find popular art objects-- musical instruments, hut makers, and painters. In the same street you will find a variety of stalls where artisans offer crafts at a variety of prices.

San Antonio de Ibarra truly offers its visitors a unique place to visit, relax, refresh, learn from masters, and purchase treasures that will last a lifetime.