Family Fun in Ecuador

My third trip to Ecuador was magical, beautiful, relaxing, and fun. This time my entire family was there to attend a church wedding for Maria Gracia and Derek. We celebrated the wedding and holidays Ecuadorian style, making it memorable and priceless. 

Traveling to Ecuador (Tuesday, 12-23-25 to Wednesday, 12-24-25)

It was a crazy trip to get there. On December 23, 2025, Mark and I picked up my sister Lynn about noon and rendezvoused with Tyler and Becca at Mom and Dad’s house. While we waited for everyone to arrive, I decided to go ahead and start the airport check-in process. That’s when all hell broke loose. We soon realized that I had not matched the airline tickets with passport names. Becca (Rebecca) and Ron (Ronny) were rejected and could not fly without a major change. Stupidly, I looked up a phone number for United airlines on google and either dialed a scam number or they tapped into my phone call to United. Regardless, somehow the guy convinced me to stay on the line with him for over two hours while he tried to change our tickets using multiple credit cards. Thankfully, in the end the call dropped, and we were able to call a real United agent who made the required changes within minutes. Mom called to cancel the bad credit card charges and cancel Dad’s card. All was good, but it was a stressful time. 

We drove two vehicles to St. Louis, cancelling our original dinner reservations since we were now running very late. Instead, we ate at a Mexican place in Jacksonville, Illinois along the foggy drive to our hotel near the airport in St. Louis. The hotel had called me earlier in the day to tell me that they had hot water issues and our three rooms might not have hot water. Oh well, at least she gave us a great rate that included parking and a shuttle to the airport. 

Christmas Eve morning we caught a too early shuttle to the airport, but I felt better and more relaxed just being there. We flew through Houston where we had a four-hour layover. We all had a nice lunch at an Asian placed then walked around before boarding our 5 ½ hour flight to Quito. We got a meal on the airplane and I watched a movie. Customs and immigration were easy in Quito and soon we were with Derek and Maria Gracia (Mari) once again on our way to her family’s country home in Cumbaya. We arrived about 2:00 a.m. and were tired but still had a beverage and talked before retiring to our beds. We slept until about 7:00 a.m., showered, and were ready for Christmas Day in Ecuador.

Christmas Day in Cumbaya (Thursday, 12-25-25)

We had breakfast at the big table with the giant lazy Susan. It was all so good, and it was wonderful to have freshly squeezed orange juice again every day. Derek had us all drink yogurt for probiotics and I think it did help. His theory is to eat local fruits and yogurt when traveling internationally. The caretaker – Romulo – made us delicious eggs each morning and there was always plenty of fresh croissants and coffee. 

Figure 1. Enjoying family time on Christmas Day in Cumbaya.

Before noon, Sylvia, Maria Alejandra (Ale), Pepe, and Rosa came for the day. A cook was up early cooking the suckling pig, turkey, and potatoes in the outdoor woodfired oven. It all smelled wonderful. We sat in the warm sun beneath palm trees at small tables and benches, enjoying champagne and snacks while Ale and Rosa cooked in the kitchen. At 1:00 p.m. we ate a wonderful Christmas dinner at a long table outside that was beautifully decorated with flowers, small baskets full of candy, and Ecuador figurines. Derek and Tyler’s friend Yuta arrived from New York City about 10:00 a.m. in time for dinner. He brought some special cookies that we had with sorbet for dessert. Mari’s Uncle Rickie, Aunt Paula, Cousin Maria Clara and her family came too. They brought us beautiful cashmere shawls. Later we opened stockings. I got a cape and some socks, purse, and a cute coloring book of Quito flowers. They all seemed to like the calendars we made for them featuring Derek and Mari. It was a long day, and I was quite tired so went to bed about 7:00 p.m.

Figure 2. Christmas dinner table.

Figure 3. Christmas Dinner.

Figure 4. Christmas Dinner fun with Derek and Tyler.

Figure 5. Simmons family: Ron, Rhonda, Lynn, and Doris.

Figure 6. Ferree family: Derek, Rhonda, Mark, and Tyler. 

Wedding Rehearsal and Old Town Quito (Friday, 12-26-25)

The next day, Friday, we had breakfast then loaded into our large rental van for a twisty ride through and up the mountain to the church where Derek and Mari were to be married. Derek and Mari’s friend Evans from Monterey, California arrived in the morning, so he and Yuta joined us too. We had a rehearsal there for about an hour. They gave me a scripture to reach in English and showed us how to walk in and where to sit. It is a beautiful, very old Catholic church from the 1600’s. 

Figure 7. Derek and Mari at their wedding rehearsal.

From there we went to old town Quito to the Basilica church. Mom, Lynn, and I stayed down while the rest of them climbed up to the top tower. I did the climb seven years prior on our first visit to Quito, but Mark didn’t do it then. Dad climbed up too. They all really enjoyed it, and this was all new for Becca since it was her first visit to Ecuador. After their climb the van took us to a brewery at San Franscico square. Sylvia and Ale were there holding a table with appetizers. We had beverages then walked to Plaza Grande, in front of the Presidential Palace. The plaza was very pretty with many plants and trees. I loved the giant Norfolk Island Pines there among the many bright green plants. Unfortunately, we had to walk back to the brewery to board our van, which was tiring for some of us.

Figure 8. Becca and Tyler atop the Quito Basilica.

Figure 9. View atop Quito Basilica.

Back at Cumbaya, we had an hour to freshen up for dinner at Casa Damian. It was a dinner for the international wedding guests to get to know each other. Many of their family friends from California were there, including Pepe’s friend Jaime Jarrin, the Spanish voice of the LA Dodgers. We sat with Sylvia, Pepe, Rosa, Jaime, Mom and Dad at one end of a long table. Lynn was at the other end with the California group, and the kids were in the middle. It was a very good traditional Spanish meal. They gave me a veggie risotto, but most of them had paella. Afterwards Tyler, Becca, Evans, and Yuta went to a nightclub in Cumbaya. We went back to the house with Derek and Mari went to stay at her mom’s. 

Maria Gracia and Derek Wedding (Saturday, December 27, 2025)

The wedding was incredible, amazing, and unforgettable. A photographer and videographer came to Cumbaya in the morning. They mostly focused on Derek and his groomsmen: Tyler, Yuta, Mark, and Dad. We took a few family photos too. Everyone looked so great in their formal wedding attire. 

Figure 10. Becca and Tyler prior to wedding.

Figure 11. Rhonda, Ron, Doris, and Lynn prior to wedding.

Figure 12. Rhonda and Mark prior to wedding.

The van came at noon to take us to the church in the Guápulo neighborhood of Quito. The Guápulo Colonial Church and Convent is a historic 17th-century church, considered one of the oldest and most important religious sites in Quito, dedicated to the Virgin of Guadalupe. It is ornate and gorgeous, inside and out. Guests were arriving when we got there. We waited outside until time to go in. They only time I got choked up was when four girls dressed in traditional clothes stood in front of the church to greet the wedding guests. They were so beautiful in their bright, festive dresses and headgear. They greeted everyone that entered the church and gave us bags of candy as we left. They stood in front of two large urns filled with white flowers. All the wedding flowers were white, including many of Ecuador’s famous roses, plus hydrangea, gladiolus, lisianthus, snowdrops, and more. We had corsages with tiny white roses. Inside the church was full of more white flowers with large bouquets at the end of each pew. 

Figure 13. Women in traditional Ecuador clothing greet wedding guests at the Guápulo church.

At 1:00 p.m. Derek and I started walking down the aisle. The others followed with Mark and Sylvia; then Dad, Mom, and Rosa; Yuta and Maho; Tyler and Lore; and finally, Pepe walked Maria Gracia in. Becca and Lynn directed the procession and held personal items before going to their seats. There were a pianist, violinist, and soloist. Ale walked in with the two children holding the rings on pillows that I had crocheted. They did good with that. 

Mari’s cousin’s husband held a phone with Google-meet so our families back in the United States could watch the ceremony. The ceremony was all in Spanish, except the parts that Tyler, Yuta, and I spoke. Ale and I went up together to do our readings. They went well. I didn’t know to bow at the end, but Ale queued me. The service took over an hour. There were music, readings, communion, and vows. It was so pretty in the church with all the gold and figurines behind the alter. We watched from our front row with Sylvia. Afterwards they took lots of pictures before doing the celebratory recessional back out of the church. 

Figure 14. Rhonda's reading during the wedding.

Figure 15. Maria Gracia and Derek Ferree.

From there we went to the reception at the Club La Union. It too was full of white flowers. The staircase banisters were full of flowers and big bouquets were all around the club. Upstairs the dining tables had mirrors down the middle with small vases of flower sprays and candles. It was breathtaking. We had champagne and Hord ‘oeuvres downstairs, then Derek and Mari gave a speech before we went up to eat. They told their story that included their civil union six years ago in California, Mari’s United States citizenship, Derek’s conversion to Catholicism, and the amazing opportunity for a church wedding in Ecuador with their families. The wedding came together quickly within just a few months, thanks to the tireless efforts of Syliva and Ale. It was incredible to witness. Upstairs, we had amazing meals. I had a palm heart appetizer, pasta, and a poached pear dessert. Derek and Mari selected specific courses for each person’s dietary needs. It was all outstanding. Between courses Mark and I walked around and thanked everyone for coming. Everyone was so nice and we worked through the language barrier easily. After dinner we moved downstairs to the bar and a covered, heated outdoor patio for dancing. They had coffee service, charcuterie, and an open bar. They served the wedding cake there too, though most of it and the charcuterie went back to Cumbaya for the after party. 

Figure 16. Rhonda and Lynn at the wedding reception.

Figure 17. Reception flowers.

Figure 18. Becca and Tyler at wedding reception dinner.

Figure 19. Wedding cake.

We were tired when we got back to the house. A group of younger guests rode in our van with us to the house. It quickly became a party bus with loud music, laughter, and drinks passed around. Derek sat on the floor. Cumbaya was decorated when we arrived. Florists used flowers from the church there, including the two big urns at the flagpole area with a Maria Gracia and Derek banner. Below the banner were tables and garment racks with MD merch (Maria Gracia & Derek merchandise) for all guests to take. I loved the fountain filled with flowers flowing from tier to tier. Above the concrete outdoor table in the two domes were two large masses of hanging flowers. We had more food when we got back too, empanadas and tamales. At 11:00 p.m. a man with a guitar and a woman singer came to perform. Mark was already in bed, but the rest of us watched them for a while. I went to bed about midnight, but the younger group stayed up until 2:00 or 3:00 a.m. Typically an Ecuador wedding lasts all night, so they did well. A couple of them were hungover the next day, but overall, we all did well. Yuta had to fly home that morning and Evans on Monday morning. The rest of us stayed to enjoy more of Ecuador and the wedding afterglow.

Figure 20. Cumbaya decorations after the wedding.

Figure 21. Wedding flowers at Cumbaya.

Figure 22. Wedding decorations at Cumbaya. Wedding merch was displayed on tables. 

Sunday, we sat around Cumbaya all day and recuperated from the wedding festivities. In the afternoon, Syliva, Ale, Rosa, and Pepe came. We ate leftover empanadas and had some drinks. Later they made traditional Ecuador potato soup, which is always good. They had some other traditional foods and a fish ceviche too. I tried it all and ate more sorbet and wedding cake too. 

Figure 23. Post wedding day festivities at Cumbaya.

I felt a little nauseous while eating the cake but hoped it would go away. It didn’t and kept getting worse in the night. I ended up losing the next day due to some stomach issue. I was in bed all day Monday while the others went shopping in Otavalo and Cotacachi. I’d been there a couple times before, so wasn’t too disappointed. They all got home after 8:00 p.m. with many shopping stories. I started feeling a bit better just before Mark arrived. He spent the day riding motorcycles with Roberto (Lore’s father) and had a great time. The next day I took it easy with food but felt much better. 

Figure 24. Mark rides motorcycles with Roberto in Ecuador.

Mitad del Mundo - Equator (Tuesday, 12-30-25)

Tuesday, 12-30-25, we went to Mitad del Mundo. We started at the newer place that is directly at the equator. We had an English-speaking guide who was very informative and interactive. He showed us how the old cultures lived, made shrunken heads, buried the dead, and about the animals. Then we did the activities standing on the equator: balancing an egg, walking a line, water draining, and pulling down our arms. After the tour we had coffee in the café and bought a few gifts. Mom said it was the best coffee yet and cheap too. From there we went to El Hornero and had pizza. Dad got spaghetti and ate it all right down, saying, “It was outstanding.” I like Ecuador pizza with the big corn on it. 

Figure 25. Becca and Tyler at the equator.

Figure 26. Family clan at the equator.

Figure 27. Tyler balances an egg at the equator.

We went to the Temple of the Sun Museum next, and everyone really liked it there. Artist Ortega Maila built the entire place. Derek and Mari interpreted for us while our guide took us to several rooms to learn and experience the Andean culture and cosmic energy practices. I especially liked the aromatherapy and meditation room. I bought some oils and a bird whistle. I liked the bamboo oil best and felt it did help balance the chakras. I also bought a Tree-of-Life figurine with colored crystals. Upstairs we saw more art and, on the roof, had an incredible view of the mountains. Green rolling pastures flowed out from us with a few houses, a horse, and a cow tucked into the towering Ande’s peaks all around. Above we saw the clouds covering the nearby summits and soon a cloud engulfed us at the museum. We went into another room, and a lady gave us samples of coco tea (cocaine plant tea) for altitude sickness. Mom bought Dad some CBD oil and Mari and Derek bought coco tea powder. It does help with altitude symptoms and makes me more mellow. 

Figure 28. Temple of the Sun.

Figure 29. Doris balances an egg at the Temple of the Sun.

Figure 30. Mari and Derek at the Temple of the Sun.

Figure 31. Lynn at the Temple of the Sun.

Figure 32. Mark and Rhonda at the Temple of the Sun.

Figure 33. Ron and Doris at the Temple of the Sun.

From there we went back to the original Mitad del Mundo since Becca had never been there. We didn’t go in the tower. Instead, we went through the chocolate experiences and bought some coffee beans at the Guayasamin Cafe. I got earrings there took, with coffee beans on them. 

Figure 34. Van fun in Ecuador.

The rest of the evening was spent at a dinner at Senora Lynn’s restaurant The Imperium. I had mushroom dishes which were quite good. Mom loved everything, even the duck. Dad kept doing loud “salutes” for Derek and Mari since they were at another table. He said it was his favorite place yet. Lynn sat with the youngsters. It is a fancy, fun place. 

New Years Eve (Wednesday, 12-31-25)

We spent of the morning after breakfast packing for their trip home the next day. Derek, Mari, and I were staying but I still needed to pack a suitcase of my stuff for Mark to take home. I spent much of the afternoon sitting at Cumbaya by the pool with Dad, Mom, and Lynn. The rest of the group went to the mall shopping. New Years Eve is always fun in Ecuador with their many traditions. We each made homemade pizzas that Romulo baked in the outdoor oven. Ale served a homemade Caesar salad and ice cream sandwiches with the pizza. 

Figure 35. Doris, Tyler, and Romulo making pizzas.

Figure 36. Pizza oven.

Figure 37. Pizza fun in Cumbaya.

Figure 38. Pizzas!!

We laughed and laughed through the evening. Ale, Sylvia, Pepe, and Rosa went to town at 6:00 p.m. to get wigs and a set of fake boobs. One Ecuador New Year Eve tradition is The Widows, when men cross-dress in women’s clothes and collect money to mourn the dying “old year” and thus start the new one with humor. Dad wore a red wig, Tyler pink, and Derek brown. Dad and Tyler took turns wearing the boobs. Mom laughed so hard she cried. Dad was a fun and willing participant. 

Figure 39. Ron, Tyler, and Derek as Widows!

Later, we moved inside and had a traditional late night turkey dinner. We played a form of charades that was fun, then we went out to burn away the bad vibes of 2025 and release anything we wanted to let go. We each wrote those things on paper, and they stuffed them into pinata-like characters. Our characters were baby Yoda and a past Ecuadorian president. We burned them in a tray outside in the street, then jumped over it to cleanse and start a fresh new year. We walked up to main street to see the “widows” and “tax collectors.” Tax collectors are young kids who work with the widows to block traffic with ropes and chains so the widows can collect money. Mom went in the car with Sylvia, Pepe, and Rosa to see several widows in towns and give them coins. We walked around a block. Later we all ate 12 grapes for 12 wishes. We then carried “suitcases” around the yard to attract travel in 2026. Finally, we tried to go to bed for a few hours of sleep before the group had to leave for the airport and their long travel day back to Illinois. 

Figure 40. Burning away 2025's bad vibes.

Relaxation at Cumbaya (Thursday, 1-1-26 to Saturday, 1-3-26)

Mark and the others left at 5:00 a.m. It was so hard to leave Mark knowing I wouldn’t see him again for a few weeks. I was worried about my Galapagos travel arrangements, though it all worked out perfect in the end (my New Years wishes worked!). After my family left, I tried to sleep but couldn’t. I had breakfast with Derek and Mari, then moved all my stuff from the upstairs master bedroom to the smaller downstairs room. It was good to talk to Derek and Mari. 

I enjoyed many Ecuador moments in paradise. I drank chamomile tea and listed to soft music while soaking in the bright sun rays shining through the bedroom window. Outside I felt tall palm trees, picturesque sprawling old avocados, and distant Norfolk Island pines sending me calming vibes as they gently whispered for me to relax. As I walked outside to sit and read, bird sounds hit me and I immediately felt a calming effect upon seeing the bright yellow Saffron finches. 

In the afternoon, the family came back to Cumbaya, and we all went to the Scala Mall for lunch. Most places were closed for New Years, so we ended up at a Sports Bar where I had a soy burger, fries, and a diet Coke. They were all good. Sylvia drove us around Cumbaya and showed us the town and where she does yoga. Back at Cumbaya, Derek and I did laundry and watched a movie. I went to bed at 9:00 p.m. just in time to watch Mark on our Ring camera as he drove into our driveway in Illinois. He was exhausted too after a long, challenging, travel day. 

Friday (1-2-26) morning, Sylvia and Ale picked Derek and me up at 10:00 a.m. and we drove right to Ronda Street in old town Quito. It was totally empty with every establishment closed. We were mostly the only one there, so stopped a few times to get out and take pictures. 

After parking, we went into a monastery store, Monasterio de la Immaculada Concepcin where I bought a rose water arthritis salve that they make there. We had to order through a revolving door-shelf unit and never did see the nuns. We went into a modern art museum with weird art, then into a church. Iglesia de el Sagrario was built in the 1700’s. Like many others it had a lot of gold decorations. Sylvia and Ale bought candles outside, but they didn’t have a candle alter. Instead, a man took us to a back office and brought out some holy water to sprinkle on them all. I held one and he splashed the water at me. They planned to burn them later at home. It was a gorgeous day in Quito. The sun shone brightly and it felt warm. There were very few clouds in the sky. Many times, the streets opened to views of the angel on the hill (Virgin of El Panecillo) or the Basillica (Basílica del Voto Nacional). There were less people in the city, and it was nice to be out and about without worrying about others. 

Figure 41. Iglesia de el Sagrario.

We had lunch with the whole family at a good restaurant near their Quito homes. Mari had to work that week but joined us for lunch. Derek and I had potato soup. The snacks were good too and included plantain chips with pumpkin spice dip, salsa, and ground peanuts. Mari went back to work at Sylvias, and we all went to a Moshi shoe store. We were in the small shop with shoes all around us for an hour. Later Mari joined us too. Derek bought two pair of shoes (one was custom made later), Pepe bought two, and Mari one. I tried on some, but they didn’t work for me. 

Figure 42. Derek with Shoes!

Derek and Mari had a wedding gift massage, so we took them there, then we went to the Scala Mall shopping. Sylvia helped me buy white Lotto tennis shoes at Kuy sports (Senora Lynn’s store). Then we looked all over for me a new swimsuit. Ale had a friend pull out some in my size at the Lemaler Ecuador boutique. It was perfect and beautiful. I bought the sarong too and it might be the best swimsuit I’ve ever had. We picked up Derek and Mari then went for supper at a very nice Italian place called Lucias. We sat in the greenhouse area with plants all around us. I had pesto pasta, which I loved. All of it was great. 

Figure 43. Lucias restaurant.

Saturday, 1-3-26, Mari’s friend Lore came to Cumbaya to take some pictures of Derek and Mari for a wedding present. While they did that I sat by the pool, enjoying the sun and a slight breeze. It was another gorgeous Ecuador day. I canceled Dad’s cell phone since we think it was pickpocketed the day he climbed the Basilica. When it came up missing, I monitored it and it never had any extra activity, so I simply cancelled it. Later we all went to Quito and had lunch with a cousin and the family at another very nice Spanish restaurant.

Banos Waterfalls (Sunday, 1-4-26)

Derek and I had a magnificent day in Banos together, at the gateway to the Amazon. This was my favorite day of my entire time in Ecuador, including my yoga teacher training (YTT) later in the Galapagos Islands. I loved spending the day with Derek in an amazing place full of lush plants and waterfalls. It was quite a long day, but I thought it all worked out perfectly. We got up early and met our paid driver, Freddy, at Cumbaya at 6:00 a.m. It was a three-hour drive to Banos, and traffic was light at that hour. 

The road to Banos is called “Route of the Waterfalls” and it certainly was that. Our first waterfall stop was the Agoyan waterfall. It had two large drops and one smaller one into the Pastaza River. We viewed it from above along the roadside. There were chickens running around. I turned on my Merlin bird app and got a new life lister – a palm tanager. 

Figure 44. Agoyan waterfalls.

We didn’t go far and Freddy pulled over again at another waterfall. This time we paid $2.00 each to ride a cable car across the river ravine to the other side with a perfect view of another tall waterfall. The car went fast and was powered by a large car engine. It was all rather rustic but worked great. It was a quick ride over and back. 

Figure 45. Waterfall we rode cable car to see.

Figure 46. Cable car ride to see the waterfall.

Our driver seemed to know the area well. Next, we went to the largest waterfall in Ecuador at 200 feet. El Pailon del Diablo (The Devils Cauldron) was very impressive. We paid a small fee to get in then walked down a paved path to a suspension bridge. From there stairs led to a perfect view of the falls. Along the way we awed at the colorful blooming bromeliads in fuchsia pink and purple. Trees bloomed and fruited too. So many pretty, lush plants. The Andes Mountains stood proud all around in various shades of green, with occasional silver leaved trees here and there. The waterfall starts high on the cliff and pours over the steep walls, falling, falling, falling with great force into the turbulent pool below. It truly is a devils cauldron. We walked to another area that took us right by the top of the falls. We could hear people screaming with glee as they got soaked behind the falls. They were on another path across the river that we couldn’t get to. We were pleased with our dry route though. We went all the way down. I liked the way the stairs and viewpoints blended into the natural space. The climb back out was more difficult but, as Derek said, “Just as we were out of breath, it leveled out.” We walked back up and stopped at the top for cokes from a vendor, then looked for Freddy. 

Figure 47. Bromeliad on trail to Devils Cauldron Waterfall.

Figure 48. Derek on the suspension bridge at Devils Cauldron Waterfall.

Figure 49. Devils Cauldron Waterfall.

Figure 50. Derek and Rhonda at Devils Cauldron Waterfall.

Figure 51. Devils Cauldron Waterfall.

Next, he drove us above Banos to several tourist spots. First was a tree house stop with several swings over the hillsides. It was a beautiful and colorful place with many flowers, including hydrangeas, Shasta daisy, red-hot poker, and more. We pretended to lasso a horse statue, had fun swinging, and climbed the tree house for a glorious view of the forest and the Amazon beyond. Near the parking lot were animal sculpture seats. I liked the owl. I turned on my Merlin bird app and found more birds. 

Figure 52. Derek lassos a horse at the Banos Treehouse.

Figure 53. Rhonda swings over the jungle at Banos Treehouse.

Figure 54. Derek swings over the jungle at Banos Treehouse.

Figure 55. Banos Treehouse.

Our next stop was directly above the town of Banos. We put on booties and walked onto a glass overhang that hovered over the town’s valley. The town tucked into the Andes with another waterfall on one side near some hot spring pools. There was also a tall tower where we climbed stairs up several stories for an even better view. In the distance we saw large birds flying and wondered if they were the Andean condor, one of the world’s largest flying birds, though I think they were smaller vultures. 

Figure 56. Derek on the extreme glass bridge over Banos.

Figure 57. View of extreme glass bridge over Banos from staircase.

Our final stop before lunch was the giant hands and heart. It was all geared more for kids but impressive and colorful all the same. We had lunch at a rooftop restaurant in Banos. The nachos, pizza, and beer were too much food but tasted great. Afterwards we walked to the town’s waterfall, bought some local taffy that they pulled in several shops, and looked at some local vendor displays. The drive back to Cumbaya took much longer due to traffic. It rained and there were several accidents. Still, it is a beautiful ride through the Ecuador countryside. We got back about 7:00 p.m. 

Figure 58. Hands and Heart over Banos.

Quito Botanical Gardens and More (Monday, 1-5-26)

Monday was my final day in Quito. Romulo made us a good breakfast, and I knew I’d miss those. Marco picked us up at 10:30 a.m. and drove us to the Botanical Garden in Quito. For about an hour we walked around the lush gardens that highlighted various ecoregions of Ecuador. Two big orchid houses were especially impressive. Derek was amazed by the Dracula orchid. They also had a carnivorous plant house with many types of pitcher plants, sundews, and Venus flytraps. I loved it all and could have spent much more time there. 

Figure 59. Quito Botanical Garden.

Figure 60. Pitcher plants at Quito Botanical Garden.

Figure 61. Dracula Orchid description at Quito Botanical Garden.

Figure 62. Derek in orchid house at Quito Botanical Garden.

We had lunch in Rosa’s kitchen with Sylvia and Mari. Rosa made white bean ceviche with all the typical Ecuador toppings. Afterwards they served a warm corn pudding-milk with cheese empanadas. It was all very good. We went to Sylvias to print entry papers for my trip to Galapagos then Derek and I visited a couple of the many bars and brewery’s on that street. Sylvia and Mari joined us at a coffee bar, and we shared a grilled cheese, then she took us back to Cumbaya. 

The next morning, I got up early to meet my driver for a ride to the airport. I choked up to leave Derek. It had been great spending a few extra days with him and the family. I was nervous, but ready for my 21-day YTT adventure in the Galapagos (read my Magical Galapagos YTT). I found magic in the Galapagos, though all of Ecuador is magical. We experienced a magical wedding, fascinating historical sites, and mystical waterfalls. Next time we hope to do more motorcycling, nature adventures, and explore more of the wonders that are Ecuador! 

Figure 63. View of Andes Mountains in Ecuador.