Quito is an enormous city with over 2.6 million inhabitants. In spite of all the warnings about security and taxi drivers, we found people to be very friendly. And as in most large cities, if you take normal precautions, it's as safe as any other huge metropolitan area.
The central square of the old part of Quito.
Atop El Panecillo hill is the statue of the winged Virgin.
Baked bananas are very popular.
For lunch we found a small and friendly place to enjoy local food. Tasty and cheap.
The town's main square, Plaza Flores, is quite serene and verdant.
The best waterfall is Pailon deal Diablo.
Barbecued cuy is a delicacy - Guinea pig. We didn't partake.
The local market is a bustling place with vendors selling fruits, vegetables and meat.
We ate at one of the restaurant vendors and had a delicious tripe soup and a beer.
Quito's main cathedral was started in the mid-1500's.
Tom and I hiked up to the top.
Baños
Baños is a small resort town south of Quito known for its many waterfalls and hot springs. We took a 3 1/2 hour bus ride from Quito to get there.
We went to one of the local hot springs and for a $3 entrance fee plus the mandatory purchase of a hair cap, we enjoyed the basic yet warm springs of water heated by volcanic activity. The water was a bit rusty looking but felt clean and hot. Other pools were kept at a lower temperature.
On a local tour, we encountered a suspension bridge and an opportunity to zip line, neither of which we chose to do.
One of the many waterfalls.
Baños has lots of sugar cane products including taffy. It seems like every vendor sells the taffy and sugar cane juice.
Our bus back to Quito.
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