South of America

A new continent to explore. Argentina, Uruguay, Ecuador, Panama, Costa Rica, Mexico, Honduras, Belize, and wherever else works in. Read more

Follow Insights Calendar Share

Footprints
Photos

South of America Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 39
Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at 12:52 PM
☁️ 73 °F
Altitude: 8,205 ft
Ecuador Discoteca Yoko -2.906375, -78.997332°54’23” S 78°59’50” W
Pumapunga (puma paw)
November 14, 2023 in Ecuador ⋅ ☁️ 73 °F
At Ingapirca on Sunday I saw the ruins of a Canari village that the Inca had built over the top of. Today I saw the ruins of a Canari village that the Inca didn’t build on but more modern Ecuadorians did. And they built a College of all things.
Nice part of this museum and ruins was that it was a 15 minute walk from my apartment, downside is that the area was in its two hour “No Power” block, so inside was pretty dark.
The outside ruins were really well preserved.Read more
1 like
South of America Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 40
Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at 2:53 PM
☁️ 63 °F
Altitude: 8,799 ft
Ecuador Baños -2.922033, -79.0634172°55’19” S 79°3’48” W
Piedra de Agua
November 15, 2023 in Ecuador ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F
The most relaxing day of the trip. My neighbor/ friends and I went to a spa. Now, I love a nice spa that includes options. A place that has some combination of: multiple pools, mud, salt, coffee rubs, stone massage, poolside drinks, steam sauna, coed, and a restaurant. Up until finding this place I’d never dreamt that all of that could be in one place. And… on top of everything, they put most of it in caves!! We started in a cave with a red mud tub, then blue mud, then a cold dip (not me, that’s just too much) then a sauna box, then a salt rub, then a coffee rub (rinsing out my bathing suit have me a caffeine rush). Then outside we soaked in the Japanese pool sipping champagne and munching fruit. TI had a stone massage in a cave and a steam sauna. We wrapped up with a shower and dinner.
We were there almost 6 hours.
The price???
All total $130.00. Including the dinner.
For $30.00 you can have access to the outdoor pool, and an outdoor mud bath but the private cave option with the massage was something I couldn’t pass up.
If you can’t find me better start searching at Piedra de Aqua, Banos, Ecuador. This kind of spa experience won’t break my budget.Read more
3 likes
South of America Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 42
Friday, November 17, 2023 at 3:14 PM
☁️ 70 °F
Altitude: 8,356 ft
Ecuador Universidad de Cuenca -2.899347, -79.0074832°53’58” S 79°0’27” W
Mercado 10 de Augusto
November 17, 2023 in Ecuador ⋅ ☁️ 70 °F
Long walk today. D&J joined me and we walked to San Sebastián Parque about 2 km for lunch. We had Mexican that actually resembled Mexican. Then walked back with a stop at 10 de Augusto Mercado. Two floors of stalls. First floor half meat (beef, pork and chicken), other half vegetables and fruits. Second floor cooked food (like a food court). So many vegetables I’d never seen. About 8 kinds of potatoes, several types of bananas and plantains, tree tomatoes, berries and grains, yuca ( that “D” assures me was not yam after one year she mistaken it for yams and boiled it for thanksgiving), There were also women practicing natural cures that involved beating you with branches and cleansing the aurora (I wasn’t keen on that type of healing plus I don’t feel sick and didn’t want to push my luck). A total of almost 5k of effort.Read more
3 likes
South of America Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 43
Saturday, November 18, 2023 at 12:32 PM
☁️ 72 °F
Altitude: 8,373 ft
Ecuador Parque Calderón -2.895033, -79.0077292°53’42” S 79°0’28” W
CanadianRestaurant eh?
November 18, 2023 in Ecuador ⋅ ☁️ 72 °F
You know you’re in a City of expats when there is a Canadian restaurant. Even in Canada, short of Tim Hortins, I didn’t know Canada even had restaurants specific to them. But here we are in Cuenca , Ecuador eating Canadian food. The menu had Poutain (the only Canadian speciality I had ever heard of) along with what I would classify as American food. Pasta, stew, hamburger, chicken etc and of course the “special of the day”. Now the daily special here is always an awesome deal and almost all restaurants have one. Note that this daily special was almost twice the cost of most other restaurant’s daily specials.
A cream of pea soup or beet and apple salad starter. Mac and cheese, pork with potatoes, or beef stew for the main, chocolate or pineapple tort for desert, and a drink. For $7.50. Total!
I topped of my day with a trip on the electric tram that was 1.00. Expensive for tourists but locals can get a pass and it’s about .35.
Beautiful weather and a nice day all around.Read more
2 likes
South of America Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 44
Sunday, November 19, 2023 at 7:04 PM
☁️ 59 °F
Altitude: 8,301 ft
Ecuador Bar Discoteca Julián Matadero -2.901033, -79.0030032°54’4” S 79°0’11” W
Travellers Gut
November 19, 2023 in Ecuador ⋅ ☁️ 59 °F
It started yesterday after the Canadian lunch and continued most of today. I guess it is to be expected after so long in countries with less than perfect drinking water. There are so many ways to get bad water in your gut. Simple things like drinking the water are obvious, less obvious is ice and washing vegetables, brushing my teeth, even drying the dishes after washing them.Read more
TravelerUgh…bt, dt 🙃
11/19/23ReplyTranslate
TravelerA day or two of staying close to home, watching YouTube videos might be good for more than just you gut.
11/20/23Reply
TravelerAnd eating at home where I know the water is safe, And I get about 2 hours between the bathroom so I can’t get far.
11/20/23Reply
3 more comments
0 likes
South of America Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 46
Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at 10:25 AM
☁️ 64 °F
Altitude: 8,320 ft
Ecuador Parque Calderón -2.897529, -79.0040212°53’51” S 79°0’14” W
Where’s Tree Guy?
November 21, 2023 in Ecuador ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F
Better than where’s Waldo…. parque Calderon.
0 likes
South of America Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 46
Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at 11:20 AM
☁️ 68 °F
Altitude: 8,711 ft
Ecuador Turi -2.92232, -79.0100782°55’20” S 79°0’36” W
Hop On - dont hop off-
November 21, 2023 in Ecuador ⋅ ☁️ 68 °F
I’m feeling better today and I got the hop on bus. This has worked for me in the past and again it was good. I saw some of the city that I haven’t seen before, and went high up to the top of the city for a view. About 2 hours total. I will hop on again later today and meet D&J at the top at a restaurant.Read more
1 like
South of America Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 46
Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at 1:38 PM
☁️ 75 °F
Altitude: 8,301 ft
Ecuador Bar Discoteca Julián Matadero -2.901058, -79.0029812°54’4” S 79°0’11” W
Curing Gut Symptoms
November 21, 2023 in Ecuador ⋅ ☁️ 75 °F
Step one- Google symptoms
Step Two- confirm it isn’t fatal
Step three- stay home and follow the Banana, Rice, Applesauce, toast diet (BRAT).
Step four- give up and go to pharmacy.
Step five- get over the counter ciprofloxacino 10 pills for $7.50. Same as my US doctor charged me $15.00 for two pills.
Step six- take said pills and feel better.
Step seven- swear to be more careful with water and never be without those pills.Read more
TravelerIf you are cured in two days, consider that a fantastic blessing.
11/21/23Reply
TravelerSo true…. I’m about 85% but enough to get out today for a little tour
11/21/23Reply
TravelerGlad you're feeling better
11/26/23Reply
2 likes
South of America Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 47
Wednesday, November 22, 2023 at 6:35 PM
☁️ 59 °F
Altitude: 8,304 ft
Ecuador Bar Discoteca Julián Matadero -2.90043, -79.0021972°54’2” S 79°0’8” W
Chinese in Ecuador
November 22, 2023 in Ecuador ⋅ ☁️ 59 °F
Across from my apartment is a Chinese restaurant. Similar to Panda Express but everything is made fresh to order at about 1/3 the cost. More importantly I was able place my entire order in Spanish pay, answer here or to go, and get my change. I’m getting better and better with my language skills and dinner was $4.75 to boot.Read more
TravelerSubway. New Years Day. Lol
11/24/23Reply
TravelerBut I wasn’t near as hungry as that day…
11/24/23Reply
TravelerYou go girl
11/26/23Reply
2 likes
South of America Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 49
Friday, November 24, 2023 at 9:06 AM
☁️ 54 °F
Altitude: 9,278 ft
Ecuador Río Guillán -2.778578, -79.392572°46’43” S 79°23’33” W
On My way De La Playa - Montanita
November 24, 2023 in Ecuador ⋅ ☁️ 54 °F
I made it to the bus station, got my ticket and boarded a bus… I’m pretty sure it is the right one. Now a four hour ride to the second largest city in Ecuador Guayguil. I’m on schedule…
We stopped part way. It’s been a curvy road but the scenery is nice.Read more
TravelerOh, I'd be so sick then
11/26/23Reply
1 like
South of America Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 49
Friday, November 24, 2023 at 10:01 AM
☁️ 72 °F
Altitude: 2,034 ft
Ecuador Cordillera de Suya -2.628828, -79.4521552°37’44” S 79°27’8” W
Other Side of the Andes
November 24, 2023 in Ecuador ⋅ ☁️ 72 °F
Wow! What an environmental change on the other side of the Andes. I got a tiny glimpse Amazon Rainforest. Hotter and wetter and very tropical .
1 like
South of America Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 49
Friday, November 24, 2023 at 11:42 AM
☁️ 88 °F
Altitude: 46 ft
Ecuador Guayacanes -2.113705, -79.8841322°6’49” S 79°53’3” W
Travel Guide
November 24, 2023 in Ecuador ⋅ ☁️ 88 °F
I arrived in Guaygil at 11:32. This bus station is 3 stories tall. Bus pulled in on level 1. I go in to the station and started hunting for the place to purchase my next ticket. I kid you not there are 93 bus companies here. First identify the store front number of the company who sells the ticket you want. Walk forever to find it. Buy the ticket and have the guy tell you that the 11:00 bus was delayed and will leave in 5 minutes from gate 102, which is “up”.
Pay $6.55 for the ticket and locate the stairs up, then realize that up is gates 50-74. Go up again, find the gate, step on the bus and it pulls out. My entire stay in the bus terminal was less than 15 minutes!! No lunch for me!!!Read more
0 likes
South of America Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 49
Friday, November 24, 2023 at 1:12 PM
☀️ 90 °F
Altitude: 226 ft
Ecuador Buenos Aires -2.348608, -80.5118632°20’55” S 80°30’43” W
Environment is warmer
November 24, 2023 in Ecuador ⋅ ☀️ 90 °F
Heading North out of Guayaquil and the scenery is changing. The foliage is really looking dry and the plants are tall cactus. In the hours since starting my journey I’ve gone through some incredible landscape and environments. Unexpected.Read more
0 likes
South of America Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 49
Friday, November 24, 2023 at 5:14 PM
☁️ 77 °F
Altitude: 39 ft
Ecuador Montañita -1.825125, -80.7539221°49’30” S 80°45’14” W
1
The north facing Pacific Coast
November 24, 2023 in Ecuador ⋅ ☁️ 77 °F
It’s been 7 1/2 hours since leaving Cuenca and I see the ocean. The coast of Ecuador here is the Pacific Ocean, the same ocean that I see from my house in Pacifica, but this area is far south and far east of my house.Read more
TravelerThese are really great photos. I especially like the sun over the beach. Well done!
11/27/23Reply
TravelerThank you the weather was so rainy on the third day I was lucky to have caught the sun
11/27/23Reply
Traveler Should be a postcard!
11/28/23Reply
0 likes
South of America Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 49
Friday, November 24, 2023 at 5:16 PM
☁️ 77 °F
Altitude: 39 ft
Ecuador Montañita -1.825128, -80.7539061°49’30” S 80°45’14” W
Waves
November 24, 2023 in Ecuador ⋅ ☁️ 77 °F
The waves of the ocean look the same, no matter what country your feet are in, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t see for yourself.
TravelerLooks so relaxing
11/26/23Reply
2 likes
South of America Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 50
Saturday, November 25, 2023 at 3:12 PM
⛅ 81 °F
Altitude: 46 ft
Ecuador Montañita -1.821453, -80.7548621°49’17” S 80°45’18” W
One Block “Off” the Beach
November 25, 2023 in Ecuador ⋅ ⛅ 81 °F
The coast highway runs about two blocks away from the beach. Today I took a walk in those couple of blocks, the space directly behind my Hotel.
It’s a mix of Hostals (small hotels) and local housing.
TravelerOddly, reminds me of Guam, circa 1970. Rural, underveloped on one hand yet in other areas, developed and current amenities
11/26/23Reply
TravelerI agree with you and to find both developed and undeveloped within 100 yards of each other is really surprising.
11/27/23Reply
1 like
South of America Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 51
Sunday, November 26, 2023 at 2:50 PM
☁️ 79 °F
Altitude: 39 ft
Ecuador Montañita -1.825133, -80.7539451°49’30” S 80°45’14” W
2
2 2
Heading Home to Cuenca
November 26, 2023 in Ecuador ⋅ ☁️ 79 °F
The beach has turned rainy and humid and just now I noticed the tide has come in. It hasn’t stopped the surfers and the beach goers who are still sitting under umbrellas and taking lessons. Even the beach vendors are still out riding tricycle and walking back and forth selling sun glasses, shave ice, coconuts, and ice cream. I have a feeling that this place is the same every day of the year. People come, play on the sand, and like me, leave without a sun tan.
I’ve got a 7 hour nonstop bus ride to get started. It will be long but I will be able to skip the Guyaguil 3-story bus station and ticket mess. The next time I see the pacific I will be in Panama City.Read more
TravelerHope you get a cushy seat on the bus!....
11/28/23Reply
Traveler What were the fireworks for?
11/28/23Reply
TravelerI think it was closing time at the nearby club.
11/28/23Reply
5 more comments
4 likes
South of America Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 54
Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at 7:53 AM
⛅ 55 °F
Altitude: 8,301 ft
Ecuador Bar Discoteca Julián Matadero -2.901116, -79.0029982°54’4” S 79°0’11” W
Altitude sickness + cough = kick my butt
November 29, 2023 in Ecuador ⋅ ⛅ 55 °F
Since returning to Cuenca on Sunday night I suffered from altitude sickness (AMS). When I thought about going to Montanita I didn’t consider the return elevation change from sea level to 8,400 feet. I didn’t consider it as I didn’t have AMS when I came here the first time. Well…. Turns out I didn’t have it because I had come from Quito (9,350) and prior to my arrival in Quito I took the proper AMS medication. Lesson 1.
Lesson 2. If you get AMS things are a little wobbly. Like when you get a sinus infection and then you stand up and there is a moment of dizzy? So that’s what I noticed first and I was really short of breath.
Woke up Monday morning and started a cough. Runny nose, headache, cough, sneeze, dizzy and tired from the AMS, cough, sleep, runny nose. Basically Monday was a blur. Tuesday, the cough remained, as did the AMS. I tried to eat meat and veggies (the food that increases red blood cells) but after a couple of bites it hit hard in my tummy.
It’s Wednesday the 29th, I leave for Panama City tomorrow at 5:45 am. Nothing is packed, and the apartment is a mess. Baby steps to get it done!Read more
TravelerAh yes, attitude sickness, I suffer with that too 😉
11/29/23Reply
TravelerIt’s really not great. I’m hopeful that passing through Quito tomorrow for 5 hour layover won’t do me in.
11/29/23Reply
TravelerOh no. That sounds miserable
11/29/23Reply
0 likes
South of America Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 54
Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at 4:57 PM
☁️ 66 °F
Altitude: 8,301 ft
Ecuador Bar Discoteca Julián Matadero -2.901155, -79.0029442°54’4” S 79°0’11” W
Leaving Cuenca
November 29, 2023 in Ecuador ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F
Despite getting sick… twice I have really enjoyed Cuenca. I’ve met great people who share the same interests in life and exportation. They also share a belief that sometimes it is their presence that can make a difference in someone’s life.
I will come back ( taking the elevation medication in advance) and explore again the vibe here is very nice.
For now I am packed and off to the 4th county of this trip and the 23rd country I’ve visited.Read more
TravelerStay safe
11/29/23Reply
2 likes
South of America Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 55
Thursday, November 30, 2023 at 6:58 AM
⛅ 52 °F
Altitude: 8,327 ft
Ecuador Cuenca / Mariscal Lamar -2.889979, -78.9873732°53’24” S 78°59’15” W
Cuenca and already called out
November 30, 2023 in Ecuador ⋅ ⛅ 52 °F
For whatever reason Avianca airlines has 15 as a magic number. 15 or more computer items (or solid items) in your luggage and you get called out for extra screening. I don’t think I have anymore items in my luggage than any other time (even when arriving on Avianca 3 weeks ago) but for whatever reason they counted and I was over. The screening was simple and they guy saw everything in my bag (a jar of coffee, a container of creamer, mouse, computer camera, power brick, laundry soap, a small docking station,) 15 individual things that a person on the road for 55 days might need. All together they looked odd on a scan. I think they saw me and my random things and let me go. We’ll see what happens in Quito. Oh and there are 4 gates at this airport so maybe they are bored.Read more
TravelerWow and you didn't even have a corkscrew
12/2/23Reply
TravelerHave you been called out for that one?
12/3/23Reply
0 likes
South of America Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 55
Thursday, November 30, 2023 at 8:10 AM
⛅ 57 °F
Altitude: 7,792 ft
Ecuador Mariscal Sucre International Airport -0.125487, -78.3593040°7’32” S 78°21’33” W
Over the Andes
November 30, 2023 in Ecuador ⋅ ⛅ 57 °F
When flying over the United States cities and towns are connected by roads and highways. It obvious how people get there and how goods and services get out. Flying over the Andes it is not at all obvious why villages are located where they are and how people get to them. If there are roads they aren’t obvious and the interconnection between places is really not obvious. It’s a unique view and then out of the clouds there’s this single mountain of snow. Ecuador is full of unexpected ecosystems. Oh and I would swear that since leaving Cuenca the plane is on a slow incline up….. I hope my elevation pills have taken effect.Read more
2 likes
South of America Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 55
Thursday, November 30, 2023 at 12:23 PM
⛅ 72 °F
Altitude: 7,799 ft
Ecuador Mariscal Sucre International Airport -0.124072, -78.3603060°7’27” S 78°21’37” W
Quito Airport— Thanks for the Lounges
November 30, 2023 in Ecuador ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F
My Priority Pass Lounge Access wins the day on this trip, yet again. After arriving in Quito 5 hours before my connecting flight I thought I was stuck. My transferring airline from Avianca to Copa wasn’t open to accept my luggage till 11:00 am and it was just 8:30! Well heck.
But a look at my lounge access and I’ll be darned if there wasn’t a lounge on the “land” side of the terminal. This one was called Layover, and was specifically for people who needed a place to sleep or chill for multiple hours. I jumped in there for 2 hours.
Copa agents opened and I checked in for my flight to Panamá City. Crossing “air side” and surprise! Another lounge that I have access to. I chilled out there for another 2 hours. I ate lunch (a sandwich guy made my sandwich exactly the way I wanted), ate chips, had a coke, drank water, had an OJ ( still working on my cold) and charged my phone. Although the priority pass lounge access hasn’t done much for me in the States, it’s highly recommended in South America!
Boarding now for my 5th county, Panamá.Read more
TravelerYou'll have to tell me more about lounge passes and how to acquire them when you get home
12/2/23Reply
TravelerHappily. We can chat, but you should be able to check out Priority Pass and see airports with lounges and costs. I get mine “free” from credit cards. The most lounges are NOT in the states.
12/2/23Reply
1 like
South of America Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 56
Friday, December 1, 2023 at 12:00 PM
⛅ 90 °F
Altitude: 69 ft
Panama Puerto Panamá 8.95188, -79.5346458°57’7” N 79°32’5” W
Panama canal museum
December 1, 2023 in Panama ⋅ ⛅ 90 °F
Adventures are all about learning and seeing new things. Panamá certainly provides learning, and it even ties into my genealogy.
The Panamá canal museum was today’s adventure choice. Yes, I love a museum, but also it was 82 at 10:00, with 75% humidity so anywhere with AC had my interest.
Admittedly my understanding of the creation, history and technology of the construction of canal itself is limited, so almost (a big almost inserted here) everything was new to me. What wasn’t new was my understanding of a small time in Canal history when my great, great, great-grandfather Samual Allen Dick crossed the isthmus (west to east) on a train after his 10 year adventure in the gold fields of California. My genealogy friends especially Julian Clark, and Adel Welty, will hopefully recall how we uncovered his ship, and passenger manifest, and today I stood near where Samuel had been. It was great!
As for the actual canal history I took some photos from the museum and you can read about its creation on your own.Read more
TravelerDuring my AF days I was temporarily based in Panama, flying diplomatic resupply missions to Buenos Aires, Chile, Uraguay, Paraguay. The canal zone was as you deadcibe, hot & humid. Lots of histoty there.
12/1/23Reply
TravelerYes particularly in the old town. It looks historic and you can feel both old and new in the same place
12/2/23Reply
TravelerInteresting
12/2/23Reply
2 likes
South of America Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 56
Friday, December 1, 2023 at 2:29 PM
⛅ 90 °F
Altitude: 56 ft
Panama Puerto Panamá 8.953863, -79.5357218°57’14” N 79°32’9” W
My Famous Neighbor in Panama
December 1, 2023 in Panama ⋅ ⛅ 90 °F
Location, Location, LOCATION! Knock, knock… is el Presidente home? Sorry, his Palace is on the next street.. ha ha. But true! Really true! when I pick a place to stay I can really pick ‘em. Normally I choose because it’s walkable to stores, transport, safety, history, culture and…. In the international press? It really wasn’t my intention to have a chosen a place in the international news and it was unknown to me when I made the reservation months ago but here we are in San Felipe (original Casco Viejo) the original village of Panamá City and a UNESCO heritage site, and currently home to me and to the internationally despised Panamanian President Laurentino Cortizo. We haven’t met yet, obviously he’s been busy with a huge mining issue so he has been neglected in his Welcome Wagon duties, but I’m sure he would pop around the corner if he could. From my balcony you can see his security people keeping him (and by default) the entire neighborhood safe.Read more
Traveler.....not sure if that is good or bad.....
12/4/23Reply
1 like
South of America Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 57
Saturday, December 2, 2023 at 9:36 AM
☀️ 86 °F
Altitude: 39 ft
Panama Puerto Panamá 8.957655, -79.5396588°57’28” N 79°32’23” W
2
Other Panama City
December 2, 2023 in Panama ⋅ ☀️ 86 °F
Panama City is also a place where people live and work and go about their lives. This meat and vegetable market was a colorful find.
Traveler are the tomatoes supposed to make it look appetizing....?
12/4/23Reply
Traveler Those are chicken ovaries.
12/5/23Reply
0 likes