Hey, Northern Hemisphere and Mindo

Once again we headed north of Quito to a magical cloud forest called Mindo. Along the way we passed La Mitad del Mundo. A very large complex celebrates the equator, although they missed the mark by 240m to the South.

We found the weather in Mindo quite enjoyable compared to Baños because each morning was beautiful and dry.  Getting here turned out rather easy. Multiple people and our guidebook said we had to take a city bus across Quito from the South terminal to the North. This transfer takes over an hour without traffic. We were looking for a map in the tourist info area of the south terminal to plan our trip across the sprawling city of Quito and the guy posted there told us there is now a direct bus from the south terminal to Mindo(actually several each day).

The two hour bus dropped us off on the side of the road in the rain. Another enterprising man offered a ride into town (7km) in his truck for a price of 1.50 for both of us. The town is tiny and quaint. One ATM, one pharmacy, one bakery etc.

While technically a cloud forest, the area in all appearances resembles everything I remember of the Amazon jungle. The accommodations though, are much more developed with wonderful ecolodges. We chose La Casa de Cecilia located three blocks outside of the town. There are multiple buildings with a tree fort feeling, inviting hammocks, and garden terraces next to the river.

Our first day we hiked 7km up hill to the sky tram. Surprisingly Rob showed little of this fear of heights while it zoomed us across the canopy of a spectacular forest below. We hiked down into the forest for an hour passing multiple beautiful waterfalls with big pools to swim in. We waited until our return trip to get in at the nambillo falls. Sadly we found the fall was closed to bathers due to a stair collapse, but that failed to stop us.  We scaled the wall using ropes like cliffhanger and made it to the top of the falls.

The area was abandoned, but you could tell that several others had recently camped there. It was once an impressive facility with multiple pools, a waterslide that plunges into the river, a couple of cabanas, and beach type area. We jumped right in. 

Hey, Quito

We arrived in Quito later than expected. Actually we planned on stopping at a town north of the city, but due to the time we pressed onward to the capital city. Contrary to our normal precise planning we had no reservations. The main station in Quito was much more basic than we were used to in Colombia with its entirely open air design with tin corrugated roofs above the platforms. The bus station stalls were almost entirely closed, except one offering computers. We hastily made a reservation and jumped in a cab.

We disliked our initial hostel in the historical part of the city due to the outdoor bathroom facilities located on a different floor entirely. We moved to the vibrant Mariscal area which we found much more comfortable at the Posada el Maple hostel.

La Mariscal teems with hostels nightlife and restaurants. According to our new friend Alejandro, the area was formally the worst and most dangerous part of the city. Chaplin  restaurant became our favorite hangout because of the cheep beer and of course Alejandro the owner. Spirited games of Foosball and a game we tough them brought laughter throughout the night.

Beer pong was a hit. We improvised ping pong balls using bottle caps. 

The convent and museum of San Francisco was a complete surprise from its unassuming facade and the treasures within. It is one of Quito's most historic churches, remaining and withstanding earthquakes and eruptions since the 16th century. Religious artwork in the Quiton Baroque style was just as impressive as the wildly ornate frames surrounding them. 

Then we got to the chapel. Holy crap.

123 years ago an impressive basilica was constructed. Admittance to the European style cathedral cost a mere 2 dollars, which was a bargain for the fun of climbing around its innards and towers. Of course it took some coaxing to get Rob to join me for the towers due to his loathing of heights, but time and again I would scamper up a level find something cool and run back to convince him to go up just a bit more.

The cathedral allows you into the choir beneath the enormous stained glass rosette to view down the nave. From there you climb higher above the trusses of the sanctuary to find a long wooden path running along the attic to a lone ladder at the far end. The ladder leads to two more incredibly steep ones on the exterior of the spire far above the pulpit. The view was impressive, but quite unnerving due to the height.

The bell towers were an equally enjoyable adventure. The clocks were comically not set to the right time, and they didn't even match themselves. Inside the towers you'll find a tourist trap style store and s coffee shop with million dollar views.