Ecuador
Ask most people where Ecuador is and they will struggle to pinpoint it beyond being in South America but pointing out that the name is Spanish for equator will help you a bit. Sitting on the west coast of the continent between Peru to the south and Colombia to the north it straddles the Andes and has Incan history, volcanoes and the Galapagos islands to recommend it. Plus a `little red caboose` wood burning steam train that was still chugging between the coast and the capital Quito 2,850 metres altitude up in the Andes when I was there carrying mostly cargo and backpackers and low pay locals but has now had a fully refurbishments and a new lease of life taking tourists from the coast all the way up into the Andes.
Earthquakes are regular ocurrences and I experienced a couple whilst I was there - one waking me up in the middle of the night. I didn`t know what it was at first - just felt `odd` and somewhat nauseous but the locals explained what it was next day. I was based in Guayaquil where our factory was located but was able to spend a couple of days in Quito on the way home as that was where the homeward flight departed from. The local markets in Quito need to be experienced. Guayaquil gave me some unique experiences. Local cemeteries often `bury` the departed above ground (see my picture below). Bamboo is a popular means of erecting building scaffolding which is `interesting` to say the least! And there are white `tik` birds and vultures/condors in profusion.
During my middle weekend I joined my local colleague at a finca (farmhouse) that he was building and we spent much of the time either pony riding or beer drinking surrounded by a profusion of bright irridiscent blue Morpho butterflies. The ponys were straight out of Thelwell but somehow I didn`t suffer much pain afterwards - apart from the local mosquitoes. This was the first place that I ever ate banana crisps which are now readily aavailable in the UK - they were being pioneered in Ecuador as bananas are a major crop locally. And then there`s the Galapagos! My greatest regret is that I didn`t have time to visit but they are high up one my bucket list - as they should be on yours
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