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| Chester's Pizza picture from Trip Advisor |
2.3 km walking
Chester's Pizza
Today was a day of relaxing and rejuvenation. We mostly sat around or walked around the small village around the Quito Suites Hotel. At lunch we walked a few blocks and found a nice location for a pizza dinner. At Chester's Pizza we had a veggie and a special and also a salad.
Chester's also runs a B&B so that may be worth checking out next time. They took us for a quick tour into their BnB establishment. We looked at the lounge and bedrooms. All looked very nice.
Flight From Houston to Quito
The day began with an AirCanada flight from Calgary to Houston.
I don't fly perfectly well so I began with a third of a pill of gravol. One would put me into a super groggy daze for at least 3 hours.
Fortunately for me I arrived in Houston this time without throwing up or passing out. That gives me a few hours to calm down, have something to eat and get ready for the next flight.
Which I did. I also ate at a Chinese fast food place called Panda Express. I thought the food was quite good and was planning to go back there on the return flight but did not see it in the section of airport where we were. I did not even get to use my "one free entre" coupon that I had received.
I traveled back and forth on the connector train between airports just because I could. No charge and I wanted to take some pictures and video of the commute. A bit like going to Toronto and using the connector train there. Totally confusing for new travelers but second nature if you have been there before.
Flight 1035 got off the ground on time. We left the Houston at 5:56 pm and very soon after the sky to the west was just a red sunset. Very shortly the United crew began serving drinks and an hour after that was the meal.
The choice of entrees ran out by row 20 so I had a choice of pasta. Bad choice. This was a pumpkin base pasta with beets, greens of some kind and even the pumpkin seeds. Maybe the seeds were in error. I usually eat everything airlines give me as I cannot predict my next meal. Nope. Not his time. I couldn't do it. Not even after pouring on all the salt and pepper. The salad was a few leaves of baby Romaine lettuce and a quinoa salad. Now I am not a quinoa fan at all but it was actually cooked and had small amounts of veggies and some vinegar. It was the best part of the meal. Well maybe not quite. I asked for another bun and more butter. The crew was good about coming around again and offering more drinks. I should be fairly well hydrated and with my new bladder not knowing how to stretch, the lav visit ought to be frequent. Should be the only time the aisle seat in row 21 pays off.
I don't fly perfectly well so I began with a third of a pill of gravol. One would put me into a super groggy daze for at least 3 hours.
Fortunately for me I arrived in Houston this time without throwing up or passing out. That gives me a few hours to calm down, have something to eat and get ready for the next flight.
Which I did. I also ate at a Chinese fast food place called Panda Express. I thought the food was quite good and was planning to go back there on the return flight but did not see it in the section of airport where we were. I did not even get to use my "one free entre" coupon that I had received.
I traveled back and forth on the connector train between airports just because I could. No charge and I wanted to take some pictures and video of the commute. A bit like going to Toronto and using the connector train there. Totally confusing for new travelers but second nature if you have been there before.
Flight 1035 got off the ground on time. We left the Houston at 5:56 pm and very soon after the sky to the west was just a red sunset. Very shortly the United crew began serving drinks and an hour after that was the meal.
The choice of entrees ran out by row 20 so I had a choice of pasta. Bad choice. This was a pumpkin base pasta with beets, greens of some kind and even the pumpkin seeds. Maybe the seeds were in error. I usually eat everything airlines give me as I cannot predict my next meal. Nope. Not his time. I couldn't do it. Not even after pouring on all the salt and pepper. The salad was a few leaves of baby Romaine lettuce and a quinoa salad. Now I am not a quinoa fan at all but it was actually cooked and had small amounts of veggies and some vinegar. It was the best part of the meal. Well maybe not quite. I asked for another bun and more butter. The crew was good about coming around again and offering more drinks. I should be fairly well hydrated and with my new bladder not knowing how to stretch, the lav visit ought to be frequent. Should be the only time the aisle seat in row 21 pays off.
4.6 km walking today
Rentals are All Completed
I have finally finished booking all the rental properties we need for the trip to Ecuador. Last week I booked a week at a high end apartment along the Salinas malecon. That was through Airbnb.
Today I secured a rental about a block away and on the front street as well. This one does not have a pool, hot tub or laundry facilities so it comes at a much lower price. I will update the information after I return so you can all get in on this location. The owner had allowed it to be booked for a single day in the middle of the month, so that threw off booking it starting on the 12th. This time the booking was through VBRO.
However all worked out as I was able to extend our first location for a few more days until we could move to this one. The original intent was to book the last half the month up the coast a ways. But because I delayed booking the one I wanted was not available by the time I went to book. The owner says it was rented for the whole month, although as of yet the dates still show as being available.
Today I secured a rental about a block away and on the front street as well. This one does not have a pool, hot tub or laundry facilities so it comes at a much lower price. I will update the information after I return so you can all get in on this location. The owner had allowed it to be booked for a single day in the middle of the month, so that threw off booking it starting on the 12th. This time the booking was through VBRO.
However all worked out as I was able to extend our first location for a few more days until we could move to this one. The original intent was to book the last half the month up the coast a ways. But because I delayed booking the one I wanted was not available by the time I went to book. The owner says it was rented for the whole month, although as of yet the dates still show as being available.
.65 km walking
IPhone cannot add pictures to the blog
There was a place up the coast of Ecuador that we were planning to book for several days. I got an email back from the owner that I could not rent it as it had been rented for most of the month including the days we wanted. Lesson here is if you want it you better grab it. She could have cancelled anyway as I see that often for no reason on airbnb.
I am still entering text from my phone. But I cannot get the phone to upload pictures or insert them in the blog. Might be a flash thing.
Update!
Several days into my trip to Ecuador I finally found an app for the iPhone that I purchased. It gives me the ability to add photos to my blog as well as make updates and new blog postings. The only thing I cannot do is change a date. Once I made a new blog posting for a day gone by and I accepted the date given. But then I realized I needed to backdate the blog. So I had to wait til I got home to Blogger to make the correction.
Another problem with this software app is the way it inserts pictures. Things may look good when you are making the page and they do display. However clicking on a picture does not show the large size that you uploaded. You can only see the display size.
If you upload using Blogger it creates a bunch of code that displays a small size thumb. But when you click on a photo it will show it in high resolution in whatever size you uploaded - subject to your monitor size. It will also make a small thumb list of all the photos on the page so you can view all the photos quickly in large size. However if a photo was inserted using the Blog Manager that photo will not be available.
I am still entering text from my phone. But I cannot get the phone to upload pictures or insert them in the blog. Might be a flash thing.
Update!
Several days into my trip to Ecuador I finally found an app for the iPhone that I purchased. It gives me the ability to add photos to my blog as well as make updates and new blog postings. The only thing I cannot do is change a date. Once I made a new blog posting for a day gone by and I accepted the date given. But then I realized I needed to backdate the blog. So I had to wait til I got home to Blogger to make the correction.
If you upload using Blogger it creates a bunch of code that displays a small size thumb. But when you click on a photo it will show it in high resolution in whatever size you uploaded - subject to your monitor size. It will also make a small thumb list of all the photos on the page so you can view all the photos quickly in large size. However if a photo was inserted using the Blog Manager that photo will not be available.
Advice for Renting Airbnb and VRBO
In the past few days I have received responses from more people renting Airbnb and VRBO apartments. You see, I had messaged owners of several of the more interesting locations asking for more information.
Some owners don't fill out all the tick boxes when they list their properties. So if a section called Amenities has absolutely nothing crossed off you cannot learn anything about the property. Adding a description that says I will love their property doesn't help me much either. So I email and ask for things like internet, pool, hot tub, more pictures showing what the view is like and what the balcony looks like. You get the idea.
Some people respond right away and others take a few days. So my problem was that I was not patient enough. If you are going to ask additional questions I guess the advice is to give them all at least 4 days to respond. Next time I will be a bit smarter.
Then you can make your decision. I did receive messages and did correspond with several owners that gave me very favorable additional information. However I had already rented another place and could only turn down the new ones. That does not mean I did not get a great location in the one I picked. I got everything I wanted and will enjoy it. But I will be visiting the addresses of the others and might even meet some of the owners and begin planning for a future trip.
What do I want to see in photos of a potential rental? I don't mind several interior pictures but what is the purpose of 3 photos of each bed from different angles? The shower curtain, the toilet, the sink and the wide angle shot of the bathroom will not convince me to be a renter. What kind of deck chairs do they have and do they look comfortable? What is the view from the deck? How about a view down so I see how nice the street or beach is below the building? Public space pictures, hot tub. Beach or restaurant shots are nice but if they are not the view out the window please identify that.
OK enough. That was too much of a rant today. But from it all I did learn that there are likely several different places that one could be happy. And many of the owners are truly happy to have you in their place. The photos from many show homes not just houses- places where the owners are proud of. These are people who I do want to meet, even if I don't get to stay at their house this year.
Some owners don't fill out all the tick boxes when they list their properties. So if a section called Amenities has absolutely nothing crossed off you cannot learn anything about the property. Adding a description that says I will love their property doesn't help me much either. So I email and ask for things like internet, pool, hot tub, more pictures showing what the view is like and what the balcony looks like. You get the idea.
Some people respond right away and others take a few days. So my problem was that I was not patient enough. If you are going to ask additional questions I guess the advice is to give them all at least 4 days to respond. Next time I will be a bit smarter.
Then you can make your decision. I did receive messages and did correspond with several owners that gave me very favorable additional information. However I had already rented another place and could only turn down the new ones. That does not mean I did not get a great location in the one I picked. I got everything I wanted and will enjoy it. But I will be visiting the addresses of the others and might even meet some of the owners and begin planning for a future trip.
What do I want to see in photos of a potential rental? I don't mind several interior pictures but what is the purpose of 3 photos of each bed from different angles? The shower curtain, the toilet, the sink and the wide angle shot of the bathroom will not convince me to be a renter. What kind of deck chairs do they have and do they look comfortable? What is the view from the deck? How about a view down so I see how nice the street or beach is below the building? Public space pictures, hot tub. Beach or restaurant shots are nice but if they are not the view out the window please identify that.
OK enough. That was too much of a rant today. But from it all I did learn that there are likely several different places that one could be happy. And many of the owners are truly happy to have you in their place. The photos from many show homes not just houses- places where the owners are proud of. These are people who I do want to meet, even if I don't get to stay at their house this year.
Another Apartment Booked
I've booked an apartment on the airbnb site. We wanted a front view of the ocean along with pool, hot tub, laundry, Internet and other luxury fixings. I got us a week right on the malecon. I'll post the name when we get home.
I've also booked with someone else to pick us up at the airport in Guayaquil and deliver us right to the lodgings in Salinas.
The first three days we will be at Big Ralph's Bed and Breakfast. And that is only two blocks from the apartment so the transfer will be quick. It's always good to have someone to chat with when you first arrive, so the bnb will be great for learning about things to do in the next week.
Oh today I am attempting to input using my phone. That's all I will have once we leave. I can tell you this is awkward. Even harder to add a photo that was not in my photo album on the camera.
I've also booked with someone else to pick us up at the airport in Guayaquil and deliver us right to the lodgings in Salinas.
The first three days we will be at Big Ralph's Bed and Breakfast. And that is only two blocks from the apartment so the transfer will be quick. It's always good to have someone to chat with when you first arrive, so the bnb will be great for learning about things to do in the next week.
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| Big Ralph's photo I took in 2013 |
Oh today I am attempting to input using my phone. That's all I will have once we leave. I can tell you this is awkward. Even harder to add a photo that was not in my photo album on the camera.
Rain Gear
It has been raining a lot in Ecuador. Watching the facebook group and the weather reports have not been reassuring for travel to sunny beaches. A couple of days ago I decided I was going to the cheap store to buy an umbrella. Well, it cost three dollars and will be good enough.
I also had one of those very cheap rain ponchos that I paid a couple of dollars for during a rainstorm in Quebec City. The large red maple leaf on the front and back should make me a good target for those that feel the need.
I also had one of those very cheap rain ponchos that I paid a couple of dollars for during a rainstorm in Quebec City. The large red maple leaf on the front and back should make me a good target for those that feel the need.
United Airlines is My Stagecoach
I got my airline tickets today. I have delayed purchasing as long as I dared. Medical reasons delayed the purchase but the worry was that the exact flights I wanted would fill up. Last week the number of tickets left on one leg was only two.
All is well with the flights - and the doc says with me too. We'll see in May.
So with an outbound flight at about 8 in the morning, that will mean an early rise for my wife to drive me to the big city to be sure I have at least 2 hours entry time into US customs before the flight. I know the sign above the entry says don't even come in more than 2 hours before the flight.
I think there is more than a four hour layover in Houston and then off again for another five plus hour flight to Quito.
All is well with the flights - and the doc says with me too. We'll see in May.
So with an outbound flight at about 8 in the morning, that will mean an early rise for my wife to drive me to the big city to be sure I have at least 2 hours entry time into US customs before the flight. I know the sign above the entry says don't even come in more than 2 hours before the flight.
I think there is more than a four hour layover in Houston and then off again for another five plus hour flight to Quito.
Airport is Nowhere Close to Quito
The first time I flew to Quito the airport was in the middle of the city. I guess when they built the airport back in the 1600s the Spanish were not thinking the city would grow up around it.
At any rate the planes did drop in to the valley and land. The takeoff was also a rush to as they did not spend too much time flying in the valley - just get up there into the sky and get going.
If you want to see a video of landing at the old Quito airport you can watch my video on YouTube. The flight in the video is not on an international carrier, just LAN Airlines on a return from Guayaquil.
The next time I flew in the new airport was so new it had only been in operation for a few weeks. It took more than an hour by taxi to go to the historic area of Quito- and a lot more money than before too! Furthermore if you get off the plane at midnight and you are dead tired, and then add that to a taxi driver that thinks he is the roller coaster driver king of the world, you can be quite sick by the time you reach your hotel. Just saying. So, this time I will be staying a few nights at almost the closest point to the airport. The Quito Airport Suites is operated by Dom and situated in the town of Tababela. If you are an Ecuador blog reader you likely have run across his writings. He is going to pick me up at the airport and in less than 10 minutes I hope to be very close to climbing into bed for at least a portion of a night's sleep. I've actually got three nights booked there and plan on taking a couple of day trips from his website while waiting to fly south.
The next time I flew in the new airport was so new it had only been in operation for a few weeks. It took more than an hour by taxi to go to the historic area of Quito- and a lot more money than before too! Furthermore if you get off the plane at midnight and you are dead tired, and then add that to a taxi driver that thinks he is the roller coaster driver king of the world, you can be quite sick by the time you reach your hotel. Just saying. So, this time I will be staying a few nights at almost the closest point to the airport. The Quito Airport Suites is operated by Dom and situated in the town of Tababela. If you are an Ecuador blog reader you likely have run across his writings. He is going to pick me up at the airport and in less than 10 minutes I hope to be very close to climbing into bed for at least a portion of a night's sleep. I've actually got three nights booked there and plan on taking a couple of day trips from his website while waiting to fly south.
That's it for now, and I'll write more about the hotel when I am there.
Fly the First Leg
We got the air tickets purchased for the first leg of the journey inside Ecuador. From Quito to Guayaquil there are a few airline companies that will sell you tickets. We picked Avianca based on time and dollars.
We did not want to get up too early in the morning but we also did not want to be arriving in Salinas after dark. So the 10:15 flight looked about right. Any earlier would have been about 8 am I think.
Could have saved a few bucks buying the return but right now we have not booked the living space as we are still awaiting some prices at places. We have a line on a condo on the east end of the San Lorenzo and also prices on some days up the coast a ways. If we go up the coast we will want to book a few days at Big Ralph's so we can spend a weekend in the beach town before heading northward for quiet and relaxation. So all that chatter means that we need to wait to make the decision on when to return to the highlands of Quito.
A few dollars by taxi will take us from the airport to the bus station and then to the crowded lineups to purchase bus tickets to take us to the station in Ballenita.
We did not want to get up too early in the morning but we also did not want to be arriving in Salinas after dark. So the 10:15 flight looked about right. Any earlier would have been about 8 am I think.
Could have saved a few bucks buying the return but right now we have not booked the living space as we are still awaiting some prices at places. We have a line on a condo on the east end of the San Lorenzo and also prices on some days up the coast a ways. If we go up the coast we will want to book a few days at Big Ralph's so we can spend a weekend in the beach town before heading northward for quiet and relaxation. So all that chatter means that we need to wait to make the decision on when to return to the highlands of Quito.
A few dollars by taxi will take us from the airport to the bus station and then to the crowded lineups to purchase bus tickets to take us to the station in Ballenita.
Let's get going to Ecuador!
I have been to Ecuador twice before. 2012 and 2013. I have been wanting to go again for a long time and finally it is happening. The video-blog is located on the main site at ecuadorsun.com. You can go there and view all the videos you wish.
The desire was to go back to Ecuador in the spring of 2016 but two major medical issues had literally popped up in the fall and cancelled any thought of world travel.
So more than a year has passed and the opportunity strikes again to travel. There is a small medical window of time between chemo treatments so here I go.
The plan is to fly on February 27th and come back on March 30.
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| You know your are in the right place if the header looks like this. |
The desire was to go back to Ecuador in the spring of 2016 but two major medical issues had literally popped up in the fall and cancelled any thought of world travel.
So more than a year has passed and the opportunity strikes again to travel. There is a small medical window of time between chemo treatments so here I go.
The plan is to fly on February 27th and come back on March 30.
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