![Best of Ecuador cover page.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92960057.MVtqOv99.jpg) Best of Ecuador cover page. |
![Map of Ecuador with the star indicating Quito.](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/73/691773/1/92960058.sAbMITZO.wgecuadora_00x300.gif) Map of Ecuador with the star indicating Quito. |
![Plaza de la Independencia, or Plaza Grande, in Quito is flanked by the Presidential Palace where the president of Ecuador lives.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92352718.f8zZm6BD.jpg) Plaza de la Independencia, or Plaza Grande, in Quito is flanked by the Presidential Palace where the president of Ecuador lives. |
![The Plaza Grande Hotel overlooking Plaza de la Independencia in Quito. It was Quito's first 5-star hotel.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92352737.EgkgyMGH.jpg) The Plaza Grande Hotel overlooking Plaza de la Independencia in Quito. It was Quito's first 5-star hotel. |
![The fountain with pedestrians passing time in Plaza de la Independencia.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92353187.8VEWD9VS.jpg) The fountain with pedestrians passing time in Plaza de la Independencia. |
![This is one of 3 statues of liberty in the world, the other two being in New York and Mexico City.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92352729.Bv7v1SPN.jpg) This is one of 3 statues of liberty in the world, the other two being in New York and Mexico City. |
![Façade of the awe-inspiring Metropolitan Cathedral. Work began on it between 1550 and 1560.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92353183.dsnNIpbd.jpg) Façade of the awe-inspiring Metropolitan Cathedral. Work began on it between 1550 and 1560. |
![View of San Francisco Plaza with San Francisco Church in the background (the most imposing of Quito's architectural monuments).](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92352914.UujXLtFg.jpg) View of San Francisco Plaza with San Francisco Church in the background (the most imposing of Quito's architectural monuments). |
![Close-up of El Panecillo. The Spanish artist Agustín of the Herrán Matorras made this aluminum monument in 1976.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92961542.FTHyo7oi.jpg) Close-up of El Panecillo. The Spanish artist Agustín of the Herrán Matorras made this aluminum monument in 1976. |
![A rainy night photo of Plaza Grande with the Presidential Palace and the Metropolitan Cathedral steeple in the background.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92353188.Y2TIjM7m.jpg) A rainy night photo of Plaza Grande with the Presidential Palace and the Metropolitan Cathedral steeple in the background. |
![Evening lights reflecting from the Archbishop's Palace.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92353535.WgEVm2jw.jpg) Evening lights reflecting from the Archbishop's Palace. |
![The Equatorial (Middle of the World) Monument, which was built in 1938 by French scientists to prove Newton's theories.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92353985.wINOkUti.jpg) The Equatorial (Middle of the World) Monument, which was built in 1938 by French scientists to prove Newton's theories. |
![Close-up of the carved wooden statue by the indigenous (Quicha) people.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92353847.bsSmmMjr.jpg) Close-up of the carved wooden statue by the indigenous (Quicha) people. |
![An authentic shrunken head at the Equatorial Museum.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92353855.kgyji1KX.jpg) An authentic shrunken head at the Equatorial Museum. |
![A Quicha wooden carving on display at the museum.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92353966.1IiKURQ9.jpg) A Quicha wooden carving on display at the museum. |
![I am standing at the true center of the earth (proved by GPS) at the Equatorial Museum.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92353978.4qytbdrT.jpg) I am standing at the true center of the earth (proved by GPS) at the Equatorial Museum. |
![A fruit and vegetable vendor amongst his produce.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92354069.zPKOjKLb.jpg) A fruit and vegetable vendor amongst his produce. |
![Tourists disembarking from the Chiva Express train that took us through the Andes Mts.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92354077.kfvPZk4f.jpg) Tourists disembarking from the Chiva Express train that took us through the Andes Mts. |
![Ecuadorian cowboys greeting us at La Alegria hacienda, during a train stop on the Chiva Express.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92354074.L9uOh1SE.jpg) Ecuadorian "cowboys" greeting us at La Alegria hacienda, during a train stop on the Chiva Express. |
![This cowboy opened a pen to let out alpacas and llamas into the corral.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92354399.rf79azHv.jpg) This cowboy opened a pen to let out alpacas and llamas into the corral. |
![Alpacas and llamas running into the corral.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92354400.JHmVgF0f.jpg) Alpacas and llamas running into the corral. |
![Tambo Roses produces and exports a great number of rose varieties that are shipped all over the world.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92354562.lVwMpQup.jpg) Tambo Roses produces and exports a great number of rose varieties that are shipped all over the world. |
![Another gorgeous rose that was blooming at the rose farm.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92354560.HoLl2im7.jpg) Another gorgeous rose that was blooming at the rose farm. |
![Bunches of roses in a multiple colors to be shipped out for Valentines Day.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92354825.jF95seqH.jpg) Bunches of roses in a multiple colors to be shipped out for Valentines Day. |
![Ash billowing from the volcano.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92354838.D9lvxXvu.jpg) Ash billowing from the volcano. |
![This Ecuadorian man in alpaca chaps posed with an alpaca.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92354840.KLjaZQd0.jpg) This Ecuadorian man in alpaca chaps posed with an alpaca. |
![A bucolic photo of the Taller de Tagua gift shop, which is next to the train tracks.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92354846.Pv1LOnMz.jpg) A bucolic photo of the Taller de Tagua gift shop, which is next to the train tracks. |
![The landscape is very verdant because it rains a lot there.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92354896.6L8eoKoz.jpg) The landscape is very verdant because it rains a lot there. |
![View from the top of the Chiva Express. It was becoming more mountainous.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92354903.bQ0bnFts.jpg) View from the top of the Chiva Express. It was becoming more mountainous. |
![A produce truck was being unloaded at the Indian market.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92355013.p8D7Jhrs.jpg) A produce truck was being unloaded at the Indian market. |
![School children in Guamote lined up along this fence before the Chiva Express pulled away.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92355022.PRMDuS5U.jpg) School children in Guamote lined up along this fence before the Chiva Express pulled away. |
![The train made an unscheduled stop, because of a mudslide that made the tracks impassable.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92355129.rEg0GmEu.jpg) The train made an unscheduled stop, because of a mudslide that made the tracks impassable. |
![Me standing on the back of the Chiva Express at the Alausí train station.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92355134.UItD2nZ0.jpg) Me standing on the back of the Chiva Express at the Alausí train station. |
![View of Devil's Nose. Construction of the switchbacks there was one of the world's most impressive feats of rail engineering.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92355141.j8BL01pM.jpg) View of Devil's Nose. Construction of the switchbacks there was one of the world's most impressive feats of rail engineering. |
![View while we passed along the precipitous rock wall of Devil's Nose.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92355144.b4azfEEa.jpg) View while we passed along the precipitous rock wall of Devil's Nose. |
![View of Centennial Park, which commemorates Guayaquil’s independence on October 9, 1820.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92812254.T7jU2Nvf.jpg) View of Centennial Park, which commemorates Guayaquil’s independence on October 9, 1820. |
![Statue of Simon Bolivar who was a patriot, statesman and liberator of five South American Republics including Ecuador.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92812262.qMEauBMp.jpg) Statue of Simon Bolivar who was a patriot, statesman and liberator of five South American Republics including Ecuador. |
![The iguanas were there before the park, because prior to it being a park, it was a mangrove.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92812275.ncPw7VSw.jpg) The iguanas were there before the park, because prior to it being a park, it was a mangrove. |
![This little boy was hanging onto the tail of one of his new friends!](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92812456.Cl1foiGH.jpg) This little boy was hanging onto the tail of one of his new friends! |
![The current neo-Gothic Metropolitan Cathedral was completed in 1948. It has impressive stained glass windows and a marble altar.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92812462.F2wnnkYs.jpg) The current neo-Gothic Metropolitan Cathedral was completed in 1948. It has impressive stained glass windows and a marble altar. |
![Composite photo of the Gothic interior.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92812465.Uwm5MYcc.jpg) Composite photo of the Gothic interior. |
![The spectacular front stained glass window in a Rosetta pattern.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92812469.xJTnkHDo.jpg) The spectacular front stained glass window in a Rosetta pattern. |
![View of San José Church in Plaza de la Integración in Guayaquil.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92812474.IbaXt78x.jpg) View of San José Church in Plaza de la Integración in Guayaquil. |
![In 1931, they filled part of the river. It is now part of Malecón 2000, an urban renewal project with the pier and boardwalk.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92812573.mSHTJdmc.jpg) In 1931, they filled part of the river. It is now part of Malecón 2000, an urban renewal project with the pier and boardwalk. |
![This policeman was on duty on the pier.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92812584.JQzColjs.jpg) This policeman was on duty on the pier. |
![An interesting vantage point of the Olmedo statue.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92812593.8PdpNzlB.jpg) An interesting vantage point of the Olmedo statue. |
![One of many vendors along the promenade.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92812599.SxN9oKcj.jpg) One of many vendors along the promenade. |
![The Moorish Clock Tower was inaugurated in 1842 following the worst yellow fever outbreak ever in Guayaquil.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92812603.p8keZEdV.jpg) The Moorish Clock Tower was inaugurated in 1842 following the worst yellow fever outbreak ever in Guayaquil. |
![Administration Square with a building built in the 1950's, which is part of City Hall.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92812605.tcP3FrAU.jpg) Administration Square with a building built in the 1950's, which is part of City Hall. |
![Note the arched glass roof of this Italian-style part of City Hall.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92812679.WpqAoNc4.jpg) Note the arched glass roof of this Italian-style part of City Hall. |
![Kids playing by a fountain in Administration Square.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92812681.SKjGZcoz.jpg) Kids playing by a fountain in Administration Square. |
![Sucre was in charge of the campaign to liberate Quito and won a decisive victory at the Battle of Pichincha in 1822.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92812685.B3mIaAFf.jpg) Sucre was in charge of the campaign to liberate Quito and won a decisive victory at the Battle of Pichincha in 1822. |
![Close-up of some of the conspirators who tricked the Spanish.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92812788.CbyfyhWN.jpg) Close-up of some of the conspirators who tricked the Spanish. |
![Strollers along the pier, which is part of the Malecón 2000 urban renewal project.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92812801.38Vf8JId.jpg) Strollers along the pier, which is part of the Malecón 2000 urban renewal project. |
![Along boardwalk are statues of Presidents of Ecuador who came from Guayaquil.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92812815.OFrJetD3.jpg) Along boardwalk are statues of Presidents of Ecuador who came from Guayaquil. |
![View of the main monument of Malecón, which was dedicated in 1936.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92812819.ZPB7KqiZ.jpg) View of the main monument of Malecón, which was dedicated in 1936. |
![It commemorates the meeting of Simon Bolivar and San Martin to declare independence from Spain.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92812821.v8fMKPh4.jpg) It commemorates the meeting of Simon Bolivar and San Martin to declare independence from Spain. |
![Since Simon Bolivar (on the left) was so short, the sculptor made him much taller so he would equal St. Martin's stature!](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92812826.HG3sdoHc.jpg) Since Simon Bolivar (on the left) was so short, the sculptor made him much taller so he would equal St. Martin's stature! |
![Santana Hill is one of the oldest parts of Guayaquil where the city was first established.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92812912.bHH397FK.jpg) Santana Hill is one of the oldest parts of Guayaquil where the city was first established. |
![The old wooden houses are now being painted in bright cheerful colors giving the neighborhood its charm.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92812917.3zDN9Ls2.jpg) The old wooden houses are now being painted in bright cheerful colors giving the neighborhood its charm. |
![Another cemetery view. The graves are above ground because Guayaquil was built on a mangrove.](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92812925.pKS0fKow.jpg) Another cemetery view. The graves are above ground because Guayaquil was built on a mangrove. |
![Sculpture of a fisherman in Guayaquil. Too bad the Guayas River is so polluted!](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/73/691773/3/92812932.03WxSECj.jpg) Sculpture of a fisherman in Guayaquil. Too bad the Guayas River is so polluted! |