Tag Archives: vacation

October 4, 2017 · 5:35 am

Ecuador — Quito, Changing of the Guard

President Rafael Correa (center, looking toward the camera)

We were fortunate this day to witness the Changing of the Guard at the Carondelet Palace. Carondelet Palace is at the north end of the Plaza de la Independencia, and our group had a good view of the pomp and circumstance from the elevated walkway along the east side of the Cathedral of Quito.

Carondelet Palace

So, without further commentary, here is the changing of the guard with the then president of Ecuador in attendance:

Carondelet Palace

Changing of the Guard

Carondelet Palace

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Tagged as Carondelet Palace, changing of the guard, Ecuador, photography, Quito, R. Doug Wicker, travel, travel photography, vacation

October 2, 2017 · 5:35 am

Ecuador — Arriving Quito

Compañía de Jesús

Our first full day in Quito, and our last day with the tour group, began on February 22, 2016. After this day we would be on our own until our flight a couple of days later. But on this day we had much to see and do. The following images are of the old Central Bank of Ecuador building.

Banco Central de Ecuador

Right next to this beautiful building is La Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús, or the Church of the Society of Jesus.

Compañía de Jesús

In the distance we could see El Panecillo, atop which stands the 148-foot/45-meter Virgen de Quito statue.

Virgen de Quito atop El Panecillo

Other images from our first excursion into Quito:

Quito

Cathedral of Quito

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Filed under Photography, R. Doug Wicker, travel, vacation

Tagged as Ecuador, photography, Quito, R. Doug Wicker, travel, travel photography, vacation

September 29, 2017 · 5:35 am

Ecuador — AmaZOOnico Rescue Center Part 2

AmaZOOnico Choo-Choo Train

Continuing our tour of the AmaZOOnico Rescue Center, here’s a cut little tapir:

AmaZOOnico Rescue Center

And a beautiful ocelot:

AmaZOOnico Rescue Center

Remember Trumpy, the friendly grey-winged trumpeter from Monday? I promised a neat story involving this helpful little guy who thinks he’s part of the AmaZOOnico staff, and who enjoys accompanying the visitors on their tours. Trumpy is so at home with the human staff that he even watches out for them. He trumpets warnings to the unsuspecting whenever he senses a venomous snake nearby, for instance. And on one occasion, when one of the staff was accidently locked in an enclosure, Trumpy went to retrieve help for his hapless fellow staffer. Now that’s cute. Here’s another view of Trumpy the guide: