Day 3 - 7/25 Guayaquil, Ecuador

    Last day in Guayaquil on our own before heading to the Galapagos with the group.  Spent the morning walking along the Malecón, a three mile boardwalk along the Malecón Rio.  The boardwalk was lovely with sculptures, food, activities for kids, lookouts, statues of past presidents, movie theater, etc.  Many people were there because it was Guayaquil’s Founders Day (1538) and a city holiday.  Ecuador’s presidential motorcade sped by us on the way to the parade.  Little girls were dressed in traditional blue and white dresses. Tons of families out. 

     At the end of the boardwalk there is a hike up a hill with 444 winding steps to a gorgeous lookout with a lighthouse and small church. We were told how dangerous that walk used to be – thieves especially were a big problem.  Now there is a major police presence all along the route.   The views from the top were worth the climb.

     Guayaquil is a gritty city with lovely churches and nice hotels mixed right in with ramshackle apartments, run-down stores, and partially falling down buildings.  But the people here have been kind, helpful, and friendly (even the ones that weren’t selling us something).  As glad as we both are to have come down a few days early, we’re looking forward to joining Nat. Geo. and letting them navigate, organize, and plan for the next week.  Excited all over again to get to the islands.  We leave for the flight at 8:30 am!!

   

PS – the toilet does actually flush counter-clockwise here

Parade route

Mission church 444 steps up

 View from Cerro Santa

 Traditional Dresses