Reflections of Ecuador

We didn't get to see much of Ecuador outside of the Galapagos and around Quito, a conscious decision since we've visited the country previously. What we have seen we've really enjoyed and it's been interesting to revisit some places nearly 12 years later:

• The people are very friendly and helpful; lots of smiles
• There is crime here but we didn't witness any and the usual common sense rules keep you safe
• The food has been OK, nothing special but lots of fruit and vegetables. Any typical Ecuadorian cuisine is mainly sweet or sweet and sour
• They like their chocolate. Lots of cake shops everywhere filled with many sweet delights too
• Good infrastructure, better than we remembered. The Pan American highway has either been upgraded or in the process of being done
• We've found it very easy to get around on local transport, the buses have understandable routes, are comfortable and very cheap
• It appears less deprived than areas we visited in Peru and Bolivia and seems to have less social unrest played out in riots and strikes (we've seen on the BBC that Potosi is closed due to strikes)
• However it seemed more expensive than Peru and Bolivia as a consequence but we did visit the "honeypots" in the main
• The currency used is the US Dollar so easy to work back prices to sterling
• The Galapagos is very special and unique. Very expensive but one of those "must go" places
• The wine is mainly Chilean, brands we get at home. Beer is mainly light lager; similar to the rest of South America with the 2 top brands being Pilsner and Club
• The land around Quito and north through Otavalo to the Colombian border is very rich, lush and fertile. Hence the variety and volume of fresh fruit and vegetables