We were very pleased to receive my mom, Maggie, and Meghans friend, Juliana, for our first week of spring break. We had a great time tooling around Quito, spending the night at the Pullulahua El Crater hotel/restaurant, going to the Mindo Cloud Forest, and north toward Otovalo and the Mojando Lakes. We spent the night at a lovely hacienda, Casa Mojanda, which had a beautiful view overlooking Otovalo and a traditional Japanese hot tub, i.e., a large barrel.A week is a pretty short amount of time down here since there are a wide variety of mountains, waterfalls, colonial history, and even the jungle only a few hours away from Quito. But we got a lot in during the week and I think our guests may have returned needing another vacation!
Below are some pictures of our various heres and theres including some pictures and video of our visit to the Inti-Nan Solar Museum where you can see (over the span of about 10 feet) the effects of the Equator on water draining as well as ones lack of strength while standing directly on the equatorial line. Its pretty fun to see and feel the effects firsthand.
My Mom and Maggie Over Quito at the Teleferiqo
The Gang Straddling the Equator
Meghan and Juliana do High Five Across Hemispheres
My Mom Trys the Traditional Blow Gun
Maggie Gives it a Try
As Does Juliana....
...And Meghan
Maggie in Front of the Large Center of the World Monument
At the Pullulahua Crater
Getting Ready for Some Zip Line Fun in Mindo
Here Comes Maggie -- Check the Video Below for More Action
Ethan Finds a Friend at One of Mindo's Butterfly Farms
Maggie at the Beautiful Gardens at the Arasha Resort in Mindo
Out the Window of a Restaurant in Mindo -- Hummingbirds are Everywhere
Getting Ready for a Spiritual Experience at the Peguche Waterfall
The Group in the "Spray Zone" of Peguche
Bargain Hunting at the Open Air Market in Otovalo
Everyone Having a Great Lunch in Otovalo
Imbabura Near Lago San Pablo -- Can You See the "Corazon" of Mountain?
Hiking Around the Lovely Mojanda Lakes
They are Striking and Seemingly go on Forever
Juliana and Meghan Promoting Peace while Hiking Above Quito
Our Last Dinner with Our Guests at the Mariscal in Quito
Video Fun -- Click Twice to Play