Images from Quito, Ecuador
on Nov 20, 2009 in - Ecuador I had heard some negative things about Quito - that it was dangerous, over-populated and dirty. As a result I made a decision not to go. But the universe forced me that way and actually I was pleasantly surprised and really enjoyed my time there. Her...

Is it safe to travel to Colombia?
on Nov 18, 2009 in - Colombia I've been in Colombia for around two weeks now and I am happy to say it is one of my favorite countries in South America. However, unfortunately the department of foreign affairs of many countries is actively discouraging travel to this beautiful cou...

Little witches in Colombia
on Nov 14, 2009 in - Colombia While I was in Cali (Colombia) I went to San Cipriano for a couple of days. It's a sleepy village deep in the forest where the majority (if not all) of the inhabitants are of African descent.[Below] It's a 2-3 hour bus journey from Cali. After gettin...

Life around La Merced
on Nov 11, 2009 in - Ecuador Photography La Merced is a church in the centre of Quito - the capital city of Ecuador. I went there without expecting anything in particular but instead I found a hive of life buzzing all around it. Here are a few images of what I saw.[Above and below] Friar Ca...

Halloween in Colombia
on Nov 8, 2009 in Couchsurfing - Colombia Festivals Parties and Fiestas On Halloween 2009 I found myself in Cali, Colombia. Stefy, my wonderful host, had organised that we attend the Couchsurfing Halloween party... where a costume was obligatory.I had never dressed up for Halloween before - except for that one time when...

How to confront & build rapport with an iguana
on Nov 6, 2009 in - Ecuador Miscellaneous I came face to face with many iguanas while I was in Ecuador... literally. But I managed to learn a simple 3-step procedure to become the best of friends with them - except for that one iguana who was just a jerk.[Above] Step 1 - Establish eye contac...

The sea lions of Galápagos
on Nov 4, 2009 in Animals - Galapagos Islands My best experience on the Galapagos Islands was swimming with four baby sea lions off the coast on the island of Rabida. They swam with my group for about 100 metres along the coast: swimming up to my face and pausing there while they examined my fea...

Sea lions on drugs
on Nov 2, 2009 in Miscellaneous - Galapagos Islands [Pleased be advised: the following images may be shocking and disturbing to some people. Parental guidance IS recommended.]While I was on the Galapagos Islands I witnessed, first-hand, the problem with cocaine addiction. Many sea lions have taken a l...

The mysterious fruits of Colombia
on Oct 30, 2009 in Food - Colombia I'm still so excited after my visit to that wonderful supermarket across the street from my host's apartment in Cali. Arelis, the supervisor, guided us around and explained the names and uses of all these mysterious delectables. Names such as: guanab...

Having fun with Colombian fruit
on Oct 28, 2009 in - Colombia I had the most marvellous day on Monday. Across the street from where I am staying there is the most wonderful, fresh fruit supermarket. It is an explosion of color in the form of the strangest fruits that I have ever seen.[Below] The first thing tha...