Galapagos Trip - 1

Hi, Ruthe and I had the pleasure of traveling with Celebrity Cruises to the Galapagos Islands via Quito, Ecuador with our daughter Ellen (in white), her husband Bill, and our grandsons Scott (left) and Ryan (center).  I think you will agree as the photos unfold over the next few days that it was a great trip.  The photos in this and the following posts were taken by my wife Ruthe, my son in law Bill and myself.

We left Dulles on August 8 and after a change of planes in Panama City arrived in Quito.  We asked the company representative who met us to take a photograph of the six of us before we left the airport.

We spent August 9 touring Quito.  Our first stop was the National Basilica of the Vow.

While Ellen and her family went into the church I took a short walk.  I photographed a couple of street scenes, including the one above.

This is a closeup of the statue which represents the Woman of the Apocalypse.

Quito is built on some pretty steep hills at about 10,000 feet.

This building is both a monastery, with space reserved for the resident monks, and a museum open to the public.

This is one of the parrots that live in the public courtyard shown below.

The photo above and the four below are typical street scenes.

Ice cream is a popular treat.

This is a view of the public square outside the Government House and

this is one of only two views inside available to the general public.

I find buses in foreign countries, except for the parts of Europe I have visited, to be really interesting (above and 2 below).

Here is a part of the square which abuts the National Theater.

On the outskirts of Quito is a monument marking the equator.

Here Ruthe straddles the yellow line marking the equator.

Dad Bill photographed Scott with the globe on top of the monument firmly in his grasp while

Ryan manages the lift one handed.

Finally a view from the top of the monument.

Thanks for looking.