Roses Of Ecuador

Eucudor has the world’s 4th largest rose production with 2/3 ending up in the USA, then Holland were they are shipped out to Europe and then Russia. The place we went cuts 90,000 on a typica day and up to 500,000. They have over 50 hectares of roses. 

I think the pics will tell the story as that is how we say it since we didn’t speak Spanish and they didn’t speak English. 

Using banana harvesting equipment. 

Countryside of Ecuador

The day started with a local Friday Farmer’s market in the La Floresta neighborhood.  Then a fine cup of coffee before headed south 1.5 hours to a hacienda for the next two nights. The hacienda is located by Cotopaxi and a crater lake A’s well as many local markets. 

No one wanted their picture taken. I was able to purchase some excellent kumbucba. 

Pour over, my fav. With Eucudorian coffee. 

Dinning room with 600 yo walls constructed by the Incas. 

The hacendia’s own chapel, again, Inca walls. 

Jorge starting a fire in my room. 

Lunch, a bit different then Street food...a time and place for it all. 

Picture from our walk around the property. 

Thistle 

See the greenhouses in the background?  Full of roses. 

The day ended with a clear veiw of Cotopaxi. Cotopaxi is 19,350ft at the summit. It is an active volcano with the last eruption in 2016. This time of year it is mostly hidden behind clouds. 

Quito From the Top to the Heart

Today started with Street food and ended with Street food. And luckily our Airbnb was located a few blocks from a university where the streets are full of vendors. 

Yummy chicken swarma Eucudorian style. 

Next it was to Teleferico, a cable car up the side of a volcano from 10,200ft to 12,900 ft. Then when you arrive at the top you can hike higher. My Travel friend is not as rigeriois of an explorer as I so we opted for a wander around. 

From there it was a wander around La Floresta, one of a few bohemian areas of Quito. It is full of street murals, coffee shops, and a few artist handmade shops. 

Old farm house behind. Just 100 years ago  this was apparently farmland. 

Movie theater showing independent films from around the world. 

The later afternoon evening we spent  on a history/Street food tour in Guapulo and finish in La Floresta. 

More chicken and rice...this one was the best. 

Little pancakes with soup. 

Finish with hot coco and coffee. 

Quito

Loving Quito and Eucuador as it easy place to experience local life and mix in. Very little English is spoken and that is a very good sign. And the people are super friendly. 

Quito is the capital of Ecuador and the second largest city with 2.5 million people living in the valleys between 3 volcanos. There is a lot of up and down walking like nothing I’ve experienced before. The city is something like 35 miles long and 2 miles wide. 

Coffee and cacao beans (makes chocolate) have historically not been consumed by locals thus mostly exported.  This is changing. 

Old town Independance Square. The first UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the Krakow’s Square in 1979.  A favorite hang out for locals particularly retirees. 

She was telling us something. 

View from the domes of the Metropolitan Cathedral.  




Presidential Palace 

Jesus Cathedral that is to be covered in so much gold inside. When we went back it was closed. 



Lottery. I wish I would have started taking pictures of this in every country as it does exist in every country and it is easy to spot. 

Typical polo and rice for lunch. $2.50. 

Walk up the Cathedral dome. It was a bit tight.  



Easier to visit then the White House. 

Most amazing Old Fashion with infused smoke in the glass. 

Of course, steak tar tar.