-
Photo Essay: Backpacker Giving Back for the Holidays
Blog: GoBackpacking - 24 December 2009
I wanted to throw these kids a kick-ass Christmas fiesta that they wouldn't forget.Join Travel Blog Success and learn to build a better travel blog.
-
Faces From Around the World: Ecuador 002
Blog: GoBackpacking - 21 December 2009
The locals in Quilotoa were some of the nicest people I have met so far in Ecuador.Join Travel Blog Success and learn to build a better travel blog.
-
Faces From Around the World: Ecuador
Blog: GoBackpacking - 30 November 2009
Her favorite saying when visiting the USA was "English never...Spanish always!" Join Go Backpacking on Facebook for updates, plus exclusive travel photos and videos. Buy your travel insurance from World Nomads (Lonely Planet's preferred carrier).
-
Mompiche Surf Academy
Blog: DO EPIC SHIT - 20 November 2009
Mompiche Surf Academy is an elite school that accepts only those who excel in wipeouts and self destruction. Potential students should note that balance is not a prerequisite. Those who wish to apply must meet the following strict requirements. Failure to meet these requirements will result in non entry and childish name calling. -Aviator sunglasses -Two working [...]
-
cotopaxi Every morning when I wake up I’m greeted by Cotopaxi -...
Blog: DO EPIC SHIT - 18 November 2009
cotopaxi Every morning when I wake up I’m greeted by Cotopaxi - a stunning 6000 meeter active volcano. For months now I’ve thought about climbing it, but due to the cost of entry ($10 per person) and gear required ($200 and up) it was simply not in the budget. However, last week one of my students mentioned that his father could take a group of volunteers about 1000 meters short of the top without gear and even get us through the gate without having to pay the entrance fee.
-
Cotopaxi
Blog: DO EPIC SHIT - 18 November 2009
Every morning when I wake up I’m greeted by Cotopaxi – a stunning 6000 meeter active volcano. For months now I’ve thought about climbing it, but due to the cost of entry ($10 per person) and gear required ($200 and up) it was simply not in the budget. However, last week one of my students [...]
-
Ecuador and the Amazon Rainforest - Podcast Episode 3
Blog: Heather on her travels - 16 November 2009
In this podcast interview about the rainforests of Ecuador you’ll hear how to enjoy how to enjoy your rainforest experience, as well as the many other diverse areas of of the country, the Avenue of the Volcanoes, the Indian markets, and the beaches of Manabi province where you can see migrating whales. To download Ecuador and the rainforest [...]
-
the bird, the bees and the alpacas? This week, I’ve taken a...
Blog: DO EPIC SHIT - 9 November 2009
the bird, the bees and the alpacas? This week, I’ve taken a page out of the late Steve Irwin’s book and dabbled in the realm of nature cinematography.Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it), I didn’t have to go far, these Alpacas were right outside my front door. As for the women, she is our neighbor and not a big fan of public fornication.
-
Cuenca-stic Times!
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 7 November 2009
By Zal Bilimoria, KF9, Ecuador Over the past four weeks here in Ecuador, I’ve had the opportunity to see much of the country, starting out in Quito working at Fundacion ESPOIR’s administrative office, and now in Portoviejo near the coast to conduct borrower verifications and write journal updates, among other tasks. Since Ecuador is a relatively [...]
-
Balsa Rafts and Beer: Playas, Ecuador
Blog: Jamón, jamón: Alice's Gastronomic Adventures - 7 November 2009
-
My Motorcycle Diary from Guayaquil
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 6 November 2009
By Kimia Raafat, KF9 Ecuador Last week, I blogged about D-MIRO’s influence in the peri-urban zones of Guayaquil. There is no way to describe the dedicated D-MIRO staff members and the lengths they go to reach those marginalized from the traditional financial system. So I opted to film a sample day! Here is “My Motorcycle Diary”: Fun Facts about Ecuador: Ecuador’s currency is [...]
-
mindo makes you dance and jump… 14 meters A ride in a...
Blog: DO EPIC SHIT - 29 October 2009
mindo makes you dance and jump… 14 meters A ride in a police truck, a midnight street party, and a 14 meter plunge into a gorgeous waterfall. Yaaa, I would say last weekend’s trip to Mindo, was pretty successful.
-
the real ecuador
Blog: DO EPIC SHIT - 22 October 2009
Read my bio and you may notice that there is a gap between what you read and what you see so far on this blog. Originally, my intention was to show Ecuador and South America in its true form - “to not sugarcoat the bad or over-glorify the good.” So far, I have neglected to do this. Looking at my posts, I realize that i’ve painted a picture of Ecuador that, like a big budget tourism campaign, reflects all its shining achievements and shies away form the many challenges that affect almost every Ecuadorian. This post is my attempt to rectify ignorance.
-
Last thoughts on Ecuador
Blog: One Year+ of Vagabonding through Latin America - 20 October 2009
Some final observations from my last four months in this country as I prepare to leave Ecuador for Peru:I highly recommend Ecuador to you North Americans looking for a quick (2-3 week) vacation. It’s a small country, so it’s quick and easy to get around, yet offers a ton of variety. Beautiful tropical beaches, interesting [...]
-
Conspiracy Theories and the expats who love them
Blog: One Year+ of Vagabonding through Latin America - 15 October 2009
It seems that I bit off more than I could chew. I started writing this post about two months ago and it’s slowly grown out of control. I became fascinated, and just a little bit obsessed, by all of the conspiracy theories I’ve been hearing around town and the bigger view of what makes people [...]
-
the bull fight Well, you’re all in for a treat this...
Blog: DO EPIC SHIT - 12 October 2009
the bull fight Well, you’re all in for a treat this week.While I travelled home for a wedding, Mari was hard at work wrestling with bulls.Yep, you heard me right… bulls. I could hardly believe she did it, but as you will read, she not only did it… she made my bridge jump look like a 10 year-olds birthday party. ___________________ Dust was flying everywhere.
-
The Wheels on the Bus go Round and Round, and Round…
Blog: Documentariously Challenged - 3 October 2009
As Todd mention, we left Ecuador after the Riobamba bust. Now, we are in Peru. To be specific, on the beach in Huanchaco. It only took 4buses and about 28hrs. We powered through and made it hear late afternoon the day before yesterday. We seemed to catch each connection [...]
-
Riobamba Bust.
Blog: Documentariously Challenged - 30 September 2009
Riobamba was supposed to have the coolest train ride ever. It even has a cool name, Nose of the Devil. Doesn´t that sound like something you want to do? You were even able to ride on the roof. But noooooo, some indigenous people, okay actually it was a lot of indigenous people, decided that they [...]
-
Chilling in Quito
Blog: Documentariously Challenged - 29 September 2009
We’ve made it to Quito for a quick couple days. After checking at a nice, cheap hostel, we ended up in a hostel that, while fine enough as a dorm, had an absolutely terrible kitchen. We actually considered leaving for another place that was a bit cleaner, but then momentum overwhelmed cleanliness. [...]
-
Roosters and Their Owners Often Look Alike
Blog: Documentariously Challenged - 27 September 2009
Taking up from where Erin left us, we left the artisan market and headed back up to the livestock market, which is where we were told the rooster fight was going to take place. Luckily, we were able to find the green tent with the rooster ring. When we arrived, there were just a few [...]
-
Early Morning Rising
Blog: Documentariously Challenged - 27 September 2009
Good morning from Peguche, Ecuador. A small indigenous town right outside Otovalo. We left San Augustin about 4 days ago and headed to Popoyan; 126km, 6hrs. A ridiculously bumpy mountain road. Not the worst so far, but I wouldn’t call it enjoyable. We didn’t do much in Popoyan other then go to the [...]
-
Horse Trekking
Blog: One Year+ of Vagabonding through Latin America - 26 September 2009
I’ve been on three horse trips in the last couple of months while here in Vilcabamba. Here they are combined into this one blog post. 8/25: Gavin (the Kiwi cowboy I wrote about in the last post) convinced me to try a one-day horse trip. He didn’t have to twist very hard, I’ve been curious for a [...]
-
Group Post, Travel Horror Stories. Me first, then you. An Ecuadorian Tale.
Blog: Bearshapedsphere - 23 September 2009
Bearshapedsphere and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad, long-lasting voyage. With an invitation to group post at the end.
-
Vilcabamba, the valley of eternal spring
Blog: One Year+ of Vagabonding through Latin America - 30 August 2009
Hello again! Haven’t written in a while because I’ve spent the past few weeks blissfully hanging out in the tiny outpost of Vilcabamba. It’s a small town (only 6,000 souls in the entire valley) located in the far south of Ecuador. It’s the kind of town where you could lie down in the street for [...]
-
Photos from Loja
Blog: One Year+ of Vagabonding through Latin America - 24 August 2009
UPDATE 10/21/09: Added a few more photos, taken on my way out of Ecuador. Lest you think I’ve fallen off the face of the Earth: I’ve been hanging out for the past two weeks in the lovely little town of Vilcabamba, in the south of Ecuador. It’s tranquil and pretty here with great hikes and walks into [...]
