holidays – HurricaneMaine

Road trip to Baños de Agua Santa

This weekend of the celebration of the battle of Pichincha that happened on May 24, 1822. It is the Latin American War of Independence. This battle, led by Antonio José de Sucre, allowed the South American rebels to defeat the Spanish royalists. They were able to take control of Quito the following day. The battle occurred on one of the slopes of the Pichincha volcano.

For the 3 day weekend, Susan and I drove to Baños which is about 3 hours south of Quito. On the way is a city called Ambato. We stopped to stretch our legs and look at the city from a high point. We visited the Parque Provincial de la Familia. It is a beautiful park with community sports areas, a farm, lagoons, and spaces to relax.

From there we headed to the Airbnb and found that the owner knew a guide for the waterfalls. We were also able to practice our Spanish. Ed

Agotan Waterfall

This waterfall (cascadas) is formed from the Pastaza river.

Rio Blanca Mega Adventure Park

Of course there are commercial enterprises including zip lining even in the superman position. They also have a glass suspension bridge to walk to the other side over the Pastaza river below. Since I have done this in China, I wanted to do it again here. They have a few glass panels that stimulate cracking of the glass with the actual sound effects. Much different from China where the sound came from above.

Cascada Manto de la Novia

The mantle of the bride waterfall is named for the whiteness of the water which resembles a wedding veil and dress. It flows into the Pastaza river. At this waterfall we took the Tarabita ride over the river and by the falls.

Cascada el Pailón del Diablo

This waterfall is named for the stair of the rocks under the waterfall. If you look closely, the rocks look like the devil’s face. There are two sides to see. One side has a small amount of hiking with a rickety wood bridge.

The other side of the devil’s waterfall is much more scenic and a longer walk. Getting to the waterfall is a long slope downwards with some steps as well and then a climb along the side of the waterfall. You can also duck into the caves and emerge right beside the waterfall.

Much of this longer walk is through the first which is a beautiful walk. This squirrel seemed unperturbed.

There are two sections of caves to get through. This is the entrance to the second cave. My knees did not like having to squat down so far to get through but the views were obviously worth it in the end.

Dinner at Mozafiato was very good. Pricey but a really nice meal with a corner on the third floor overlooking the nightlife below.

I love watching the dogs that have free roam of the rooftops. This one was watching dogs on the street.

View of the mountain from the restaurant.

Mother’s day

For mother’s day, I ride my bike on the ciclo paseo. As I was ready to enter the Centro histórico, I heard the sound of Elvis music. An Ecuadorian Elvis street musician (in the past I have seen the Asian Elvis in Hong Kong).

It was a beautiful day.

Later I went with my friend Monica to the Botanical garden and the Vivarium (snakes and frogs). Through WhatsApp, I talked for a little bit with Becca and Ryan and Ryan

The botanical garden was peaceful.

And the orchid garden.

The vegetable garden

We visited the carnivorous plants section where they have many varieties of pitcher plants and Venus fly traps.

No pictures can be taken at the vivarium which is a pity as they had so many different frogs, boas, pit vipers, and especially an axolotl. Afterwards we walked to the Gusanita which is a kiddie train that circles the park on the roads. It was pretty fun and especially to have a friend to spend the day with.

Basílica de Nossa Senhora do Rosario do Fatima

On the way from the Douro valley to Lisbon we stopped at this basilica. It is special also as today is Good Friday.

The Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima is an important Catholic pilgrimage site located in Fatima, Portugal. It is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, who, according to Catholic faith, appeared to three children in Fatima in 1917. The basilica is known for its impressive architecture and the significant role it plays in Marian devotion.

Leaving the Douro. Azulejo tile are everywhere.

Many of these little altars had scenes of the live of Jesus.

The front of the basilica from the north entrance.

From the north entrance you can walk on your knees towards an altar. Walking on one’s knees as an act of devotion is a common practice in many religious traditions, including Christianity. In the context of the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima, people may walk on their knees as a form of penance or supplication, expressing humility and seeking spiritual grace. It is often done as a physical demonstration of devotion and a way to participate in the pilgrimage experience with sincerity and reverence. Many believers view such acts as a way to connect more deeply with their faith and to express their devotion to God and the Virgin Mary.

They walk on their knees towards the Chapel of the apparitions.

They end the walking on their knees here.

We lit candles to make wishes to Mary for the future.

A very reverent and sacred place here in Portugal. Today was Good Friday as well.

Afterwards we made it to Lisbon and our last place to stay. I enjoy Porto more, but looking forward to a tour in Lisbon on the last day.

Basílica del voto nacional

A great day trip to Centro histórico in Quito finally led me to the Basilica. Every Sunday I ride the ciclo paseo and I see the basilica but had yet to step foot inside.

The Basilica del Voto Nacional is one of the largest neo-Gothic basilicas found in the Americas. Its architecture is like medieval European cathedrals.

The construction of the basilica began in the late 19th century and took over 100 years.

There are over 20 gargoyles as decoration on the exterior of the basilica. These depict Ecuadorian animals such as armadillos, iguanas, and Galapagos tortoises.

The basilica has four main towers that represent a different aspect of Christian faith: hope, charity, faith, and Jesus Christ.

The towers have stunning panoramic views of the historic center. Narrow and steep stairs were a little challenging but worth it for the view. Views from the towers:

Even though it is styled after European cathedrals, the basilica has many indigenous elements found in the stonework including animals and symbols.

Inside the basilica features are impressive stained glass windows. The altars are ornate as well as the vaulted ceilings.

Supposedly, the facade remains unfinished. I did not really notice this. It symbolizes that perfection belongs only to God.

Beneath the basilica, there are crypts for the remains of prominent figures. Chapels to saints are found inside.

Afterwards we walked from the basilica to San Francisco square. Here we had something to eat and drink while enjoying the view in the other direction.

As it is right before holy week (Easter also known as Semana Santa), one of the ritual dishes is Fenesca. It is a dish that takes some time to prepare but it’s really delicious.

Carnaval

In my school they have a carnaval celebration that turns the school a bit upside down. It is a long standing tradition. The 10th, 11th, and 12th grade nominate and vote for a representative to be on student council but is much like the carnival queen contest that used to be the tradition. What is really spectacular about it is that each class uses a theme, they plan a day of games for the 7th through 9th graders to court their votes for the winner.

Lots of water to keep everyone cool and of course fur fun. Combined with powdered dye…

The 10th grade whose theme was Peter Pan

12th grade theme of Aladdin. Pretty much everyone had a slip and slide. Some played soccer on it.
This one had giant bowling pins you slide into.

Some videos from end of the games:

That night was the show for each of the three grades. They coordinated costumes and dances to fit the theme. At the end of each of the class choreography, the representative candidate was introduced and brought to the stage in a carriage float. Then there is a speech from the escort and then the candidate.

I took some videos of portions of the dances. Students have been working on this for several months and it was very exciting to see them work collaboratively for such a presentation.

The next day was voting. And the 11th grade one. Their candidate is now on student council and the grade had the bragging rights for the best coordinated plan and fun.

Cotopaxi and Pichincha

Ryan and I traveled to Secret Garden in Cotopaxi. It was easy as they transferred you from the Secret Garden in Quito to the one near the volcano. It is an active volcano but lessening in activity over the last year.

Secret Garden

Secret Garden is an amazing hostal. We started in the hobbit house which was for a single or family. The food was amazing and there is so much to eat and the views were incredible.

They have llamas that love bananas. Since they are an everyday snack to take at will, there are many skins saved here for the llamas that we are encouraged to feed. This one comes running.

Cotopaxi

Cotopaxi is in the Andes Mountains of Ecuador and is one of the highest active volcanoes in the world. It is 5,897 meters (19,347 feet) high, and its almost perfect cone shape at the summit always has snow. The volcano is part of the Cotopaxi National Park. From the hostal, you can see it and two other volcanoes.

Though it is still active, climbing can occur up to the glacier but not to the summit.

This is Ruminahui which is a dormant and heavily eroded volcano. Climbing it requires rock climbing.

Iliniza north and south volcanoes. These twin mountains are literally 1 km from each other.

Pasachoa is another notable peak near the hostal but with my knee still not at 100%, it was not worth the risk. Ryan went on that hike though.

The paramo

A paramo is a unique high-altitude ecosystem found in the Andes Mountains, and is found between 3,000 and 4,500 meters (9,800 to 14,800 feet) in elevation. It is alpine tundra. The vegetation is grasses and shrubs that are adapted to the harsh environmental conditions. Temperatures can be cold and the weather changes drastically. The UV radiation here is high. Paramos play a crucial role in regulating water. Paramos support diverse wildlife, including unique bird species and mammals adapted to the challenging mountain environment. The horses and llamas here are wild.

I took a horse back riding tour across the paramo. It was amazing and very beautiful.

We stopped to have a snack midway through the hike.

Cotopaxi glacier

The glacier is at an altitude of 5100 m or 16732 ft. It was tough in breathing but not very difficult. The volcanic ash made for summer find descending back down.

Ryan rented a bike to ride down from part of the volcano.

Pichincha

Earlier in the week we went to Pichincha which is not far from my house and the city. It is an active volcano but the part that you can climb is not active. We did not climb the whole route but had impressive views of the city.

San Francisco church

The San Francisco Church in Quito is in the historical center. It dates back to the 16th century and was built over indigenous religious sites. It is beautiful as it is a mix of Spanish Baroque and indigenous influences. The carvings and details are ornate and intricate. The church is still used for religious services but is also a living museum with art work depicting religion and the cultural heritage of Quito.

My friend Kathryn and her boyfriend Leo found the tour and bought the tickets. I was excited to go on a night tour of this amazing church.

View from the front of the church facing the old historical center

Looking at the center square inside the church

Models on display depicting the life of Jesus from birth to the cross. This is just one model

The monastery had a brewery and brought beer to Quito

We also visited another church in the historic old city. On that street there are 7 churches.

Afterwards we walked around la ronda, a famous old street in the historic center. It was built over the old incan trail and is still like it was designed then.

A few weeks later, Ryan came to visit and Leo offered to all go together to find some food and your the old city. We saw the chapel of the church plus a few other places.

We tried morocho from street vendors in Floresta which is made with corn flour. It tasted a little like rice pudding and was delicious.

From the restaurant in la ronda where we ate the biggest empanada ever. It was the size of a large pizza.

We went to El panacillo. It means little bread as the hill is shaped like a loaf of bread.

How houses were built in the past with a courtyard on the inside which is now covered.

Christmas lights at the botanical gardens

I went with my friend Monica to the botanical garden here in Quito fort the Christmas light festival. It was beautiful and will need to go back to the botanical garden after the holidays.

Bali-day

After touring Singapore and Manila, it was a welcome few days off staying in a remote resort without an agenda. Especially perfect for a holiday: my Christmas Eve birthday and Christmas day.

The flight there was uneventful until we landed at 11pm. For some reason, there were lots shuttle buses available for the planes landing/taking off and we had to wait 2 hours to deplane. Another hour in immigration and another hour traveling to the resort in Klungkung put us there at 3 am. I felt sorry for the driver we hired who had to wait at the airport and the resort employee who also waited.

Bali is the western most island in the Lesser Sunda islands, part of the Indonesia archipelago (there are 130 islands here). The majority of people are Hindu and no matter where we were greeted in their language and in English. So friendly and always a smile on their face. This is our first stop and will go to three other places on the island before heading to Komodo Island and then Jakarta.

But we arrived and the place was beautiful. The secret spot resort is right on the beach and peaceful. Not much around it which is amazing. Anything you need they can get for you when they go to the market. This was great as I did not have the adapter plug for this country.

The bathroom is outside in a courtyard. The tub is full size and I can lay down in it.

After a few hours sleep I needed coffee and something to eat. They have a free breakfast and a choice of 3 different menu: Indonesian (fried noodles or rice), pancake, or continental. Looking at their menu for the other meals, they have an amazing variety and cook everything from scratch.

We went for a walk near the edge of the water and was surprised at bring pulled in when a wave came much further than we expected. Despite our phones being submerged, they survived. Bali is known for surfing and now we know the strength of the waves.

We noticed a memorial service near the water before ashes were scattered.

Before I left the Philippines I purchased this coconut liquor to bring as there are not many options here. Perfect for my birthday paired with fresh fruit juice.

Our agent who arranged our driver from earlier in the night came by as we needed to arrange transport to Nusa penida island, our next stop. He also created a tour of Ubud for us. We toasted my birthday and his which is on the 25th.

There are only 6 huts at the resort and my friends and I occupied 4 of them. Perfect to exist without masks. Such freedom! Our only excursion was to walk around the tiny village.

This little guy acted like a tough watch dog.

The owner decorated with lights and a tree. Everyone on staff wore a Santa hat.

For my birthday dinner they made Gado Gado which was delicious. A peanut sauce with tempeh and tofu.

My friends had the owner found a cake for me with a candle. So thoughtful and yes some singing.

This is the rainy season and it did rain off and on the two days. I did manage to swim a few times and lounge around outside under covered lounge areas. Perfect for relaxation.

Even in the rain this place is beautiful. The sound of the waves is perfect to just relax and read a book.

Mujair nyat nyat is one of the traditional food in Bali. It is a tilapia fish that is fried or baked with Balinese herbs and spices such as ginger, galangal, kencur, black pepper, white pepper, nutmeg, tabia bun, candlenut, jangu, bangle, and also turmeric on top of the fish. It is rich in flavor and just a little spicy. You can easily taste spicy and sour from the herbs with the savory flavor of the fish.

Dessert of black rice pudding. This is made with coconut milk and is delicious.

The lizards are tokay geckos. They provided amusement as we watched them hunt insects.

I would come back here again. The people are wonderful. They are amazing cooks and the menu has traditional Balinese food to western food.

Wandering Manila

The last full day in Manila was more leisurely. Finally I spent time by the pool, swimming and reading a book.

We went looking for more vegan Filipino food. We took a taxi to one that is a barbeque place. However they did not have seating. Undeterred, we ate on the sidewalk watching people go by. It was delicious food. Sisig is usually made with pig face and belly and cooked until it is crispy. The word sisig (pronounced see-sig) stems from sisigan, an old Tagalog word that means “to make sour,” it did have a slight sour taste that paid well with beer. Bopsis had Spanish origins and is a spicier dish with tomatoes, chillies, and onions.

From there we walked through the streets to another restaurant. Great sights along the way but they did not open when they said they would be.

We passed a few of these tents along the side of a busy road. They are actually funerals with the casket, memorial flowers, and chairs for vigil.

I wanted to try another Filipino desert called Boku pie. It is a delicious in a different area of the Philippines but we traveled to a bakery that is supposed to have it. But they did not have any. They did have ube hopia which had purple sweet potato in it. It is similar to a pastry in Yunnan province in China but a bit heavier.