Thursday 29 March 2012 In the morning, before going out to pick up my remaining laundry (jeans), I packed up my main backpack, and went for breakfast under the arches adjacent to the Catedral Nueva. Whilst eating breakfast, I did some people watching, in particular, the shoe shiner guys parked under the arches. One guy spent what seemed an extraordinary time setting up his seat, and then addressed every passerby. It worked, I guess, as one indigena woma...

Wed 28 March 2012 Having done most of the leisurely sightseeing I intended, including going back to try to Iglesa Santo Domingo (and failing: they seem to be either having services or closed, although I always feel a bit disrespectful taking photos or worry that I'll be censured for doing so), I had time to look around the numerous "boutiques" (tiendas: small shops) in Cuenca. None of your massive malls here, at least not in downtown Cuenca that I could see...

Tuesday 27 March 2012 I got up early today to try and walk to the Avenida Espana from which I could either walk to the Terminal Terrestre or get a bus there on the street, according to the guidebook. I found a parade de bus and waited too late for the first two buses to hail them down, having scanned their destinations too late. As there are only two buses to Ingapirca (leaving at 9:00 am and 12:20 pm from the bus terminal, from my guidebook), I was starting ...

Sat 24 March 2012 - to Mon 26 March 2012 Well, today, was going to be the day that I tried to get to the Bosque Protector Cerro Blanco, a 50 square kilometre dry coastal forest, having wildlife of howler monkeys, anteaters, deer and birds. According to my guidebook, if you want to go without making a reservation, weekends are the best, so I saved this day for my visit and got a taxi to the bus terminal. Oh my God! The bus terminal at Guayaquil is a nightmare...

Friday 23 March 2012 Visiting the nearby mercado central, I bought a batido (milkshake) of de mora y fresas (blackberry and strawberries) as well as a pound of frescas for lunch. Then, it was off to sightsee around the famous Malecon 2000 of Guyaquil, this time with the camera. First off, I went to the Parque del Centanario where I finished breakfast off with a packet of "Cheetos" (basically, a packet of Wotsits). I was minding my own business when a gu...