Date of trip: 2004, November 2010

There are few things more American than a Hershey’s chocolate bar and when I learned there was a town built around Hershey’s chocolate, I had to visit. I expected it to be a fun trip to a kitschy, dated, amusement park but Hershey is so much more than that.

Highlights:

-The Hotel Hershey was built in the 1930s and is a member of the Historic Hotels of America. It’s expensive but it shouldn’t be missed even if you don’t spend the night. There’s a huge full service spa offering chocolate treatments, several excellent restaurants including the stunning Circular Dining Room, and some great gift shops. Outside, the grounds include beautiful gardens and a skating rink!

-Hersheypark was originally created for the employees of the Hershey’s Chocolate Factory but these days it’s a well loved family destination open to the public. It may not be as exciting as some of the bigger theme parks in the country, but it has its fair share of excellent roller coasters, including a wooden one from the 1940s. Other favorites are the old fashioned Carousel and the Kissing Tower, a rotating observation deck with Hershey Kiss windows. The park is most visited in the summer but it’s open for special events throughout the year.

-My favorite place in Hershey is Hershey’s Chocolate World because there are so many fun attractions there. The 3-D show is as cool as anything you’ll see in Disney, a ride shows you how Hershey candies are made and a chocolate tasting teaches you about the different varieties of chocolate that the company produces. There’s a huge store where you can buy clothes, souvenirs and plenty of candy and a food court offers many dining options including delicious Hershey’s baked goods and ice cream specialities.

-The newest attraction in Hershey is The Hershey Story a museum all about Milton Hershey, how he started the company and the legacy he left. Despite his success, it’s amazing to learn how many times Hershey failed during his life. His is truly a story of perseverance. I also loved discovering all the philanthropy efforts supported by the company, especially the Milton Hershey School for underprivileged kids. It made me want to go out and buy a candy bar to support the cause.

When I travel, I love relating places I visit to life today. Whether or not you like Hershey’s chocolate, there’s no arguing it’s place in American and world culture. The great thing about Hershey is that it’s not only historically significant but it’s also fun, luxurious and delicious! It’s perfect for families and couples of all ages and it can be as low key or as decadent as you like. There aren’t too many places that can please everyone, but Hershey is definitely one of them.

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

Hershey Links:
Hershey Official Site
Hotel Hershey
Hersheypark
Hershey’s Chocolate World
The Hershey Story

Date of trip: June 2010

When I realized that Will and I would be flying into Asheville for our trip to visit the Great Smoky Mountains, I knew we had to make a stop at the Biltmore Estate. Built by the Vanderbilts in the late 1800s in the style of a French Chateau, it is the largest privately owned home in the United States.

Highlights:

-The crown jewel of the Biltmore Estate is the Biltmore House. With 250 rooms, its size alone is magnificent. The interior is incredibly well preserved and tells a story, not only about the Vanderbilts, but about life and technology during the period they lived there. The audio tour describes the history of each room and its furnishings. My favorites were the heated indoor pool and the gym, complete with state of the art exercise equipment.

-The grounds at the Biltmore, designed by Central Park creator Frederick Law Olmsted span over 8,000 acres and contain America’s first managed forest. Once you pass the manicured Walled Garden and the Conservatory, filled with a collection of palms and ferns, you easily forget you are walking through something man-made. The Bass Pond is particularly pretty and if you are visiting during the warmer months, you’ll be sure to spot some snapping turtles swimming along the surface.

-It’s a short drive from the house to Antler Hill Village, a newly developed section of the estate that opened earlier this year. Here you can enjoy a wine tasting at the Biltmore Winery, discover early farm life at the Barn, learn more about the Vanderbilts at the Legacy Museum, or just get a bite to eat at one of the Village restaurants.

-To get the full Biltmore experience, you have to spend a night at the beautiful Inn on Biltmore Estate. Overlooking the Smoky Mountains it’s the perfect place to rest after a long day of exploring. It’s also a great location to spot wildlife. We spotted a hawk on the roof and a newborn deer on the back lawn.

Here in the United States, we don’t have elaborate royal apartments or castles but we do have some beautiful houses built by successful entrepreneurs in early days of our country. They are snapshots of the ever evolving American dream. The Biltmore is the finest example of this and that is undoubtedly why it is one of the most visited historic attractions in the country.

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

Biltmore Links:
Biltmore Estate Official Site

Date of trip: May 2010

Although I had been to Maine as a kid, it was only for camping in the remote areas. Will and I really wanted to check out a city, so we were off to Portland for a couple of days.

Highlights:

-All the action in Portland happens in the Old Port. There are quaint shops, bars, restaurants and waterfront activities. Most of Portland’s big hotels are in walking distance so it’s the perfect place to stroll. Don’t miss Beals gourmet ice cream, a local favorite for the past 15 years.

-Whenever I picture Maine, I see lighthouses and there are more than 60 of them along the state’s coastline. The Portland Head Light is the most popular because you can actually go inside of it. There is a museum, gift shop and a lovely trail along the water with plenty of stops for great pictures of the lighthouse from different angles. The area is surrounded by a large park so it’s not unusual to see people enjoying picnics and kite flying on a nice day.

-I definitely have a sweet tooth, so I had to visit Len Libby Candies, a chocolate shop that’s been serving up hand made treats since 1926. It’s also home to Lenny, the world’s only life-sized chocolate moose!

-If you are want to get a closer look at animals native to the state, the Maine Wildlife Park is the perfect place. Just 30 minutes from Portland, the park is home to over 30 different species that can no longer survive in the wild including black bears, moose and bald eagles.

-For the best shopping, make sure you head over to Freeport which is 20 minutes outside of Portland. It has over 200 outlet stores including the gigantic L.L. Bean Flagship Store which is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year!

Although Portland is the largest city in Maine, it still has a small town feel and all the New England charm you would expect to find in the state.

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

Portland Links:
Portland Official Site
Old Port
Portland Head Light
Len Libby Candies
Maine Wildlife Park
Freeport Official Site
L.L. Bean

Date of trip: February 2010

I’ve always been fascinated with Texas. I’ve visited many other states in the south, but I knew Texas was different; different accent, different style, different attitude. It’s also the largest state in the U.S. after Alaska. With only a few days for our trip, deciding what part to visit was a tough decision for Will and me. We settled on San Antonio because it seemed to have so many interesting attractions, especially historical sites.

Highlights:

-In the 18th century, the Catholic church set up a series of mission complexes in San Antonio where Native Americans were fed, protected and educated in exchange for their conversion to Christianity. The first, and the most famous, was the Alamo. Today it is the most well known landmark in Texas because it was the location of a pivotal battle against Mexico for control of the state. On February 23, 1836 the Mexican army made a surprise attack on the Alamo and, though they were far outnumbered, the Americans famously defended the fortress for 13 days. Legend has it that the Colonel drew a line in the sand asking all the men willing to die for their country to step across it and all but one did. Although they were eventually defeated, the Alamo came to symbolize those that would lay down their lives to fight for America and memorialized by the famous phrase “Remember the Alamo”.

-In addition to the Alamo, there were four other missions in San Antonio: Mission San José, Mission Concepción, Mission San Juan and Mission Espada. Some have been better preserved than others, but all are worth visiting since they each offer a different view of early American life in Texas.

-One of the most unique places to visit in the city is the River Walk, a 2 1/2 mile paved pedestrian walkway that winds along the San Antonio River passing restaurants, shops and hotels. If you don’t feel like walking it, there are also boat rides that will take you on a tour or taxi you to various stops.

-Will and I have always loved exploring underground caves, so we were excited to check out the Natural Bridge Caverns. There are a lot of different tours offered, depending on the weather conditions. We took the Discovery Tour which lasts 75 minutes and takes you through the most popular areas. It was pretty spectacular and I really liked seeing the fried egg formations at the end of the tour because I had never seen them anywhere else.

I definitely think San Antonio is an underrated city and was really happy that we stayed there on our first visit to Texas. The people were so friendly and laid back and we never ran out of things to see and do.

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

San Antonio Links:
San Antonio Official Site
The Alamo
San Antonio Missions
River Walk
Natural Bridge Caverns

Date of trip: December 2009

Joshua Tree is one of the lesser known and visited properties in the National Park System. This is most likely because it is in the middle of the desert and there isn’t much close by. The closest big city is Palm Springs at 1 1/2 hours away. Despite it’s low key status, it’s a great park and the highlights can easily be visited in a day.

Highlights:

-The stars of the park are, of course, the joshua trees that dot the landscape. Despite their name, they are actually yucca plants with furry looking “trunks”. Unlike most vegetation, they thrive in dry climates and many of the desert wildlife depend on them for food an water.

-Set on top of the Little San Bernardino Mountains, Key’s View is the most picturesque spot in the park. From here you can see the entire Coachella Valley and the Salton Sea. The weather wasn’t great when we visited but the scenery was worth braving the winds.

-Joshua Tree is very popular with rock climbers because a big part of the park is covered with giant rocks. Even if you don’t have the desire or ability to scale them, they are still awe inspiring to look at. We especially liked Cap Rock, which looks like it’s wearing a baseball cap and Skull Rock, so called because it strongly resembles a skull.

-Driving through the park there are a lot of wide open spaces so it’s a bit of a surprise to come upon the Cholla Cactus Garden, an area covered with multi-colored cholla cactuses. Although they look fluffy, they are, obviously, prickly so you can get close, but watch yourself!

Everyone knows I love national parks and while I adore the grandness of the Grand Canyon and vast diversity of Yellowstone, there is something quite refreshing about a simple park like Joshua Tree. It may not be flashy, but that also makes it much less crowded and the sense of peace and tranquility that comes from being alone in nature is what the parks are really all about.

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

Joshua Tree Links:
Joshua Tree Official Site

Date of trip: December 2009

I first wanted to visit Palm Springs years ago when I read that Elvis Presley had spent his honeymoon there. I figured if it was nice enough for The King, it was surely nice enough for me. Even though it’s located in the desert, it’s anything but desolate and it’s just under a two hour drive from Los Angeles.

Highlights:

-Since Palm Springs is so flat, it tends to get very windy which makes it the perfect location for a wind farm. You can’t miss the huge one located in the San Gorgonio Pass consisting of more than 3,000 windmills. The giant white structures line the ground in neat rows all the way to the horizon and it’s quite a sight.

-A great way to see the city is to ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to the top of Mount San Jacinto. No matter where you stand, you’ll get to see everything because the tram rotates 360 degrees as it moves. In fact, it’s the largest rotating tram in the world! At the top there are restaurants and various activities like hiking or snowshoeing depending on the season.

-Palm Springs has many excellent hiking trails and the most popular are located in the Indian Canyons. The canyons sit on the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation but are open to the public daily for a small admission fee. Will and I hiked Palm Canyon, so called for it’s large palm tree oasis that winds along the ravine at the bottom. It’s so peaceful and was one of the nicest hikes I’ve ever done. We also really enjoyed Tahquitz Canyon which has a 2 mile loop trail that leads you past Tahquitz Falls, a pretty, 60 foot waterfall.

-I didn’t expect to find a world class art museum in the desert, but the Palm Springs Art Museum is just that. It has an excellent collection of American and local art and a great glass studio. It also hosts a variety of impressive special exhibitions.

-If you happen to drive in or out of Palm Springs via Highway 10, be sure you stop in Cabazon to see the famous dinosaurs at the truck stop there. The huge Apatosaurus and Tyrannosaurus Rex statues may be random, but they will definitely make you smile. Nearby, Hadley Fruit Orchards is a great place to stop for some of their famous trail mix or a delicious date shake.

Even though most people think of Palm Springs as a seasonal destination, it’s actually a vibrant city year round. It does get very hot in the summer but there are plenty of pools and fun indoor attractions equipped with air-conditioning. It’s a calm, laid-back city but it’s a city none the less filled with people of all ages and a wide variety of things to do.

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

Palm Springs Links:
Palm Springs Official Site
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Indian Canyons
Tahquitz Canyon
Palm Springs Art Museum
Cabazon Dinosaurs
Hadley Fruit Orchards

Date of trip: November 2009

While Will and I were visiting Portugal, we spent a day in Sintra, 45 minutes from Lisbon via a train that runs every 20 minutes. Unlike Lisbon, the town is full of character and charm and conjures up images of the Moors and Portuguese royalty.

Highlights:

-We started our day at Quinta da Regaleira, an estate reached by a 10 minute walk from the center of town. The mansion itself is impressive, but empty and the main reason to visit is the grounds. Full of ponds, forts and passages, the property is a Gothic playground that you could easily spend hours exploring. Although we were intrigued by the underground caves, we were too chicken to walk through the long, dark tunnels. I definitely think a flashlight would have come in handy here!

-The Palacio Nacional de Sintra served as a home to Portuguese royalty for centuries until the monarchy ended in 1910. The interior design is very interesting with detailed tiles portraying the theme of each room, including the Swan Room and the Magpie Room. Also of note is the sprawling kitchen with its giant, white, conical chimneys that reach up through the roof.

-Anywhere you stand in Sintra, you can see the Castelo dos Mouros sitting high on a hill. The Moorish Castle was built between the 8th and 10th centuries A.D. and getting there is a hike. The best way to reach the base is to buy a round trip bus ticket that includes a stop at the nearby Palacio Nacional de Pena. Once you arrive, be prepared for a climb. I only made it up one side, but the effort was worth it. With the entire town laid out below you, the view is incomparable.

-Not far from the Moorish Castle, on another hill, is the Palacio Nacional de Pena. With round, brightly colored towers and vaulted arches, it looks more like a mosque than a European palace. Inside, the rooms reflect its purpose as a summer residence for the Portuguese royal family until the end of their reign.

Sintra is a wonderful place that should not be overlooked. While I enjoyed my time in Lisbon, it is Sintra that has everything I had hoped to encounter in Portugal: beautiful architecture, a romantic history and lush, sweeping countryside.

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

Sintra Links:
Sintra Official Site

Date of trip: November 2009

Although I didn’t know much about Portugal, Will and I decided to check it out over Thanksgiving when we got a great deal on airfare. Lisbon is very spread out and hilly in some areas, kind of like San Francisco, but the public transportation is cheap and easy to figure out.

Highlights:

-My favorite section of Lisbon was Belem because there is so much to do there. The first thing you notice in Belem is Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, an imposing monastery that stretches more than a block down the street. It contains the royal tombs and is the final resting place of many notable Portuguese. It also has a beautiful two story cloister with a lion fountain in it. Apparently, it is customary to rub the lion’s paw and make a wish. Nearby, the brand new Berardo Museum displays a fantastic collection of modern art and, across the street, sits the truly awesome Monument to the Discoveries, a giant statue of famous explorers setting sail on the River Tagus. A short walk down the road brings you to the Tower of Belem, an old fortress built in the early 1500s which offers unparalleled views of the river and was used to spot approaching ships. From the top, you can see the 25 de Abril Bridge, which resembles and was built by the same company as San Francisco’s Golden Gate, and Cristo Rei, a 246ft monument of Jesus that was modelled after Brazil’s Christ the Redeemer. Back near the tram stop, the National Coach Museum, showcases one of the best collections of ceremonial and travel carriages in the world. Last but not least, a visit to Belem would not be complete without a stop at Pasteis de Belem, a famous cafe that has been serving up the best pasteis de nata, egg tarts, in Lisbon since 1837. The pastries are served warm and are traditionally sprinkled with cinnamon and powdered sugar. If you can’t get a table there’s a take out line where you can get the tarts to go.

-The Baixa District is the downtown area of Lisbon and its streets are lined with shops and restaurants. It’s a really pretty area, especially during the holiday season when it’s covered with bright colored lights. Since the area is situated at the bottom of two big hills, trams are a great way to get around and the Santa Justa Elevator connects Baixa to the Barrio Alto, or old town. The elevator is worth riding for the view alone and, if you’ve purchased a day pass for public transportation, it will cover the fare.

-The Parque de Nacoes, which was built for the Expo ’98 World Exhibition, remains a fun and popular place to visit. It is located at the city’s nicest metro stop, Oriente station. There are many gardens and trails in the park making it a great place to spend a nice day. There’s also a nice aquarium called the Oceanerio, and cable cars that glide overhead giving riders the best view of the Vasco de Gama bridge, one of the longest in the world.

I wouldn’t say I fell in love with Lisbon, but it is a lovely place. I wasn’t crazy about the food and the culture seemed heavily influenced by the English, Spanish and French. At the same time, the city did have a look all its own and strolling down the charming cobble stoned streets while admiring the old tiled buildings was the best part of my visit.

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

Lisbon Links:
Lisbon Official Site
Mosteiro dos Jerónimos
Berardo Museum
Tower of Belem
National Coach Museum
Pasteis de Belem – Portuguese Only
Parque de Nacoes

Date of trip: August 2009

The Galapagos Islands have always seemed to me the most exotic and special place in the world. When naturalist Charles Darwin travelled there in the 1800s he found them to be the best example of his theory of evolution. Although some of the animals on different islands were similar to each other and to those found on mainland South America he realized many came from one species that had ended up on different islands. Isolated and unable to leave, they adapted and evolved into new species with characteristics better suited to life in their new homes. The best examples of this are the finches who often look identical on different islands except for their beaks, which vary in size and length depending on the food source available there.

Tourists can’t go to the Galapagos on their own. They must be accompanied by a licensed naturalist who has gotten approval from the park service for the visit ahead of time. While there are some small hotels, many of the islands are far apart so the majority of visitors travel and sleep on a boat to make the most of their time.

Will and I decided to go on the Celebrity Xpedition. Although the Xpedition has been criticized as the largest boat in the Galapagos, I was very impressed with the staff and their conservation efforts and I was happy with our decision. We spent seven days on the ship taking two excursions on land per day, usually on different islands.

Highlights:

North Seymour Island: Sea lions, some of them with nursing babies, greeted us as we pulled up to North Seymour on our zodiac. They are so cute and will get pretty close to you, but you have to remember that they are wild and respect their space. The rocky terrain provided good nesting and resting areas for many birds including blue footed boobies and bright, red-necked frigate birds. The blue footed boobies are especially fun to watch when they dive for fish. They just crash down into the water like little bombs!

San Cristobal Island: Most foreigners probably don’t expect people to be living in the Galapagos, but there are a lot of little towns. We went to one on San Cristobal and walked along the beach admiring the bright orange Sally Lightfoot crabs on the dark black rocks. We also visited the Centro de Interpretacion, a small museum about 15 minutes from downtown with nice displays detailing the interesting and sometimes brutal history of the Galapagos.

Espanola Island: On Espanola we saw many nesting birds along the cliffs including masked boobies and albatross. We saw more blue footed boobies and even caught a couple doing a mating dance. Nearby, a Galapagos hawk was sitting among a group of iguanas deciding whether or not to have one for dinner.

Floreana Island: Florida usually comes to mind when I think of flamingos but there are several areas with brackish ponds in the Galapagos that make optimal feeding grounds for the birds. We visited a few such places on Floreana Island and it was particularly beautiful because we saw a rainbow stretched over one of them.

Bartolome Island: On Bartolome we hiked up a long wooden staircase to the top of a volcano for stunning views. The landscape was ashy and barren except for some lava cactus sprouting up through the rocks. Although we didn’t see many animals on the island other than birds, we did spot some penguins in the caves nearby and also had a mother and baby humpback whale swim by us in our zodiac.

Fernandina Island: Will couldn’t wait to see a marine iguana and Fernandina is home to a huge colony of them. They are endemic to the Galapagos and are the only iguana in the world that can swim. We watched many of them gliding through the water, making their way onto the lava flows where they sat frozen in the sun for hours. Hundreds of them were soaking up the heat, motionless except for little snorts every few minutes to spit the salt from the water out of their noses.

Santiago Island: Even though most of the animals in the Galapagos are relatively unafraid of people, there are a couple that were hunted in the past and still have some fear. One of those is the fur seal, a type of sea lion with a thick furry coat that the animal was killed for until it was made illegal in 1959. We saw a few of them playing on Santiago and they are really cute and mischievous. We went snorkeling on several of the islands but Santiago was my favorite spot. We counted over 20 sea turtles and even had a penguin swim up to us!

Santa Cruz Island : The most populated island we visited was Santa Cruz where we did some shopping and toured the Charles Darwin Research Station. The station’s main focus is a giant tortoise breeding program and we got to see many of the famous animals, from babies to full size adults. The tortoise is another animal on the islands that has fear of humans because of past hunting. They are timid and shy and some are over 100 years old, making them the oldest animals on the planet. One of the tortoises is called Lonesome George because he is the last of his species. The station has been trying to find another of his kind or get him to mate with a female of a different species but he is uninterested. After decades of solitude, they fear he doesn’t remember how to socialize. Out of the downtown area, we went to some more remote sections of Santa Cruz where we watched two large land iguanas fighting and saw more giant tortoises grazing in the wild.

We were blown away by the number of different animals we came in contact with on this trip. Standing next to a giant tortoise is definitely the ultimate Galapagos experience but for me it was bittersweet. When you look into the eyes of a gentle animal that has been hunted almost to the point of extinction you can’t help but feel guilty. There are so many precious creatures in the Galapagos that are in danger of disappearing and it is heart breaking. Fortunately, the people of the islands have a vested interest in preserving them. Not only do they get a sense of pride from keeping their home beautiful, but it’s also the best way for them to make a living. Tourism is the biggest source of income in the Galapagos. The natives struggle to balance protecting the land with allowing visitors to enjoy it and while it’s likely to be a long battle, they are really trying to make it work.

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

Galapagos Islands Links:
The Charles Darwin Foundation
Celebrity Xpedition

Date of trip: August 2009

Will and I didn’t set out to visit Quito but, when we booked a trip to the Galapagos, our group met up and spent a few nights there. It’s not the most popular and cosmopolitan city in Ecuador, that would be Guayaquil, but it is the capitol and the center for the country’s government and business. It’s a busy place full of traffic and crowds and, at over 9,000 feet above sea level, it’s one of the highest cities in the world. Will and I woke up with altitude headaches the first night but coca tea, plenty of water and some chocolate helped us to get back to sleep and through the next day. Although we felt safe, there was definitely a dodgy feel in the center and shopping areas and we did have to stay alert.

Highlights:

-The Basilica del Voto Nacional sits high on a hill near the old town and is the tallest church in Ecuador. Although its size is impressive, it’s when you get up close that you see what really makes the cathedral special. Like most churches, it’s adorned with many statues but, instead of the usual gargoyles, stone grotesques of animals jump out from the sides of the building. The animals represented are native to Ecuador and include iguanas, turtles, monkeys and jaguars. The cathedral is technically unfinished and locals believe that its completion will mark the end of the world.

-The Plaza de la Independencia is the main square in Quito’s old town. It’s busy and loud with people everywhere and live music. It’s a great place to people watch, but you also have to keep a close watch on your belongings as there are many pickpockets in the area. The plaza is filled with monuments and gardens and surrounded by buildings including the President’s Palace.

-The most popular tourist area in the city is called La Mariscal. It offers plenty of shopping with everything from handmade goods at the handicraft market to items like art and jewelry at more upscale stores. There are also plenty of cafes, restaurants and nightclubs.

-The equator, or imaginary line that cuts through the center of the earth, goes right through Ecuador and, in fact, gave the country its name. A visit to Quito would not be complete without standing on the line and visiting the monument and museum set up where it’s located. Since the word for equator in Spanish is ecuador, the area is called the Mitad del Mundo, the middle of the world.

-Quito is surrounded by volcanoes and some are quite spectacular because they are capped with snow. You can get a glimpse of many of them while driving around or through a plane window when flying in or out of the city.

-A popular day trip from Quito is to Mindo, an area known for its cloud forest. A cloud forest is a rainforest but, when you look at it from a distance, clouds sit over it and cover it. It takes about two hours to get to Mindo but it is a wonderful escape from the city. There is a beautiful botanical garden with waterfalls and an orchid garden and a butterfly sanctuary where the pretty insects often land right on visitors. Our favorite part of our tour through the cloud forest was seeing so many different birds up close. I have never seen so many hummingbirds in my life! In Mindo they buzz around like little bees in the hundreds around hanging feeders in all different sizes and colors. If you stand close to the feeders they zip right past you at impossible speeds. We also saw finches, tanagers and even several toucans.

Like most of South America, Ecuador is a country in transition. All over Quito there are construction projects and the locals seem motivated and anxious to improve their lives and their city. All this growth makes South America one of the most exciting areas to visit. Whenever I am there, I feel like I am watching history unfold and I know that whatever I see during my visit will look completely different in 5-10 years. Quito may still be somewhat gritty, but it is definitely a city in progress.

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

Quito Links:
Quito Official Site