Republica Hotel Quito

... Suspects. 500 Days Of Summer was the most hyped and award-winning but was definitely the least enjoyable.<br><br>Kaela watched 500 Days Of Summer, Julie And Julia and Office Space. She also continued her attempts to sleep, with mixed results. I tried to get her to take a sleeping pill when we left Auckland but foolishly she resisted. So she spent all our flights with moderate neck-pain, kinda groggy from being half asleep and kinda grumpy from ...

... soldiers and fortune seekers hoping to save the souls of heathen and primitives, maybe even non-humans though the Church gave them the benefit of the doubt...any one way, a couple of dozen of conversions might well earn them that cherished place at the side of Jesus Christ their Lord...<br><br>Still, walking through the old centre of Quito, my heavy backpack wearing me down while the thin air at ...

... such a small kitchen!<br><br>That night was a long navigation to the next island during the night so even more people took seasickness tablets and it was very rocky. Luckily neither Nathan nor I were sick &#8211; I tend to be fine while I&#8217;m asleep! <br><br>The next morning we disembarked at Punta Suarez on Espanola Island, where we immediately didn&#8217;t know where to look first &#8211; lots of sea lions on the rocky breakwall, crabs and Espanola Iguanas, a species which is ...

... simple task, but when you don't speak the language and are unsure about the safety of taxis, it can be quite an adventure. We wandered up to the artesian market so that Market could get a scarf to brave the cold temperatures on Pichinchu. I was only paying half attention to her purchase, but I think that she was not really negotiating, but more likely misunderstanding the vendor. But her Alpaca scarf is very nice and it ...

... it make them stronger in character? Thank God, it seems to be doing the latter. <br><br>We had talked about going up to a dead volcanic crater today, just a short bus ride from our house but decided against it today when we realized that it was a 12 km walk from the bus stop to the volcanic rim. If you are interested, just google Puluahua, Ecuador. <br><br><br>What am I most happy about our temporary abode? The ...

... situations that build character, and allow me to think beyond myself. It is in the little moments that I realize it is good that I'm here. One time, I sat down on the floor and the kids gave me the biggest hugs and kisses. Yes, they are the same kids that wouldn&#8217;t get up from the floor and throw a tantrum&#8230;but they&#8217;re kids. I gotta learn to deal with it. Also, I am beginning to understand the Why (I always ask Why about ...

... grasp of our language, with the same openness and graciousness as they have with me. For some reason, I doubt it. I am still going strong, though. I stayed in Quito last night, experiencing the wonderful live music that seemed to pour out of every restaurant, bar, and cafe near my hostel. Today I am heading out to the Ecuador´s slice of the Amazon basin, deep into the jungle. Michael ¨You can plan a pretty picnic but you can´t predict the weather.¨ Outkast ¨Ms Jackson¨

... was about to be reaped; as we checked into the Mercure Alameda hotel. We played our honeymoon card; pretending to the receptionist that we were newly married; and they bought it - upgrading us to the executive suites, fitted with all the mod-cons! As you can guess; we didn't venture much out of the hotel but to dabble at its casino and grab a bite. The hotel stay was the marker for our upgrade to an upper-class lifestyle, as we had the tour of the Galapagos Islands booked the next day...

... that the least I could do for Vinicio was shout him lunch for showing me around. He took me to a little cafe and we had some chicken soup (broth with veggies and chicken) and a second course of beans, rice and deep fried chicken with a glass of juice. All that for $1.80US. Can´t go wrong with that. Vinicio invited me back to his house for a cup of tea and he said that there was a great view. I was a bit unsure, but he seemed like a nice enough bloke and it was ...

... American soil before, so we were both quite excited when we finally arrived in the late afternoon. Emerging from the arrivals hall we encountered a small logistical problem: we had no money. We knew full well that the US dollar was now the official currency of Ecuador, but the problem was we didn't have any. All the banks were closed, it was said, because this was a public holiday. What to do? I asked a friendly-looking girl at the Information desk. No problem, she told us. She arranged ...