Where We Be
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| After climbing 444 steps you arrive at the top of Cerro Santa Ana. From here you can climb a lighthouse for terrific views of the city -- in our case during a dramatic rainstorm. |
| Guayaquil, Ecuador |
It might surprise you to learn that Ecuador's
largest and most populous city isn't Quito but
Guayaquil. This coastal city of 4 million people
is vibrant and experiencing something of a
renaissance with its lovely river walk along the
Guayas River. Called the Malecon, this river
walk renovation has created a wonderful place
for Guayaquileños -- and any lucky visitors -- to
enjoy. It offers brick walkways, gardens, shops,
cafes, and more ice cream stands than it seems
possible for any one populace to support.
Guayaquil is the nation's main port and the
commercial heart of the country. Flying into
Guayaquil, we were surprised to see how huge
the city is. As tourists we made no attempt to
see all of it. Rather we focused on the Malecon
and the adjacent Cerro Santa Ana district, a
steeply staired hillside with shops and eateries
galore. This area is considered safe for
tourists. We stayed just off the main commercial
thoroughfare, vibrant Avenida 9 de Octubre.
largest and most populous city isn't Quito but
Guayaquil. This coastal city of 4 million people
is vibrant and experiencing something of a
renaissance with its lovely river walk along the
Guayas River. Called the Malecon, this river
walk renovation has created a wonderful place
for Guayaquileños -- and any lucky visitors -- to
enjoy. It offers brick walkways, gardens, shops,
cafes, and more ice cream stands than it seems
possible for any one populace to support.
Guayaquil is the nation's main port and the
commercial heart of the country. Flying into
Guayaquil, we were surprised to see how huge
the city is. As tourists we made no attempt to
see all of it. Rather we focused on the Malecon
and the adjacent Cerro Santa Ana district, a
steeply staired hillside with shops and eateries
galore. This area is considered safe for
tourists. We stayed just off the main commercial
thoroughfare, vibrant Avenida 9 de Octubre.
| We only got a taste of Loja on our way to Vilcabamba, but it is one of Ecuador's oldest cities |
| The next day we flew from Guayaquil to the southern Ecuadorean city of Loja. Loja's most famous landmark is the Puerta de la Ciudad (Door of the City). |
| Guayaquil may be the only city in the world with land iguanas roaming around its downtown area |
| Wondering what this pigeon and land iguana make of each other! |
| Parque Bolivar is also called "Iguana Park" for obvious reasons |
| We also walked to Parque Bolivar just off the Malecon |
| A pretty stretch of the Malecon near its southern end (much quieter on a Monday morning than a Sunday evening) |
| Next morning we continued exploring the Malecon -- this time heading south from the Rotunda instead of north |
| The sprawling city of Guayaquil as seen from Cerro Santa Ana |
| Then we ran across to the lighthouse and snapped this photo looking back at the chapel |
| The land iguanas in Guayaquil are a different species than those found in the Galapagos |
| Loja, Ecuador |
| Just as we reached the top it started to pour. We took shelter in a small chapel. During a lull in the rain I snapped this photo of the nearby lighthouse. |
| Cerro Santa Ana as seen from the southern end of the Malecon |
| There's a tropical garden to enjoy |
| From our hostel (Casa de Romero) it was an easy ten-minute walk along Av. 9 de Octubre to the Malecon. The Rotunda portrays two great South American liberators, Simon Bolivar and San Martin, shaking hands. They once met in Guayaquil. |
| Near the top of Cerro Santa Ana looking down. We stopped (like everyone else) for snacks and a breather along the way. |
| Here we go! Up the 444 steps to the top of Cerro Santa Ana. Each step is conveniently numbered! |
| The houses on Cerro Santa Ana make a colorful jumble |
| The Malecon runs alongside the River Guayas. At the far end is Cerro Santa Ana, the hillside with the lighthouse on top. |
| The Malecon offers a wonderful place for locals to stroll |
| We stayed at classy and convenient Casa de Romero ($40 per night) just off Guayaquil's main commercial thoroughfare, Av. 9 de Octubre |
| And a busy playground with a track for child-sized electric cars |
| This ship moored on the Guayas River serves as a school |