Joel BergsmaUnderwater photographer · Expedition diver

Galapagos00°44'S 90°21'WJun 201238 photos

Quito Drive

Our tour through Quito and surrounding area on June 28, 2012.

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Flying American Airlines from LAX to Miami to Quito.Pululahua Crater - Handicraft shops along entrance, staffed primarily by indigenous EcuadoriansPululahua Crater - The only crater in South América where people live and farm inside the crater. Per Wikipedia, "Reserva Geobotánica Pululahua (Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve) is a protected area around the Pululuhua Volcano in the north of Quito Canton, Pichincha Province, Ecuador. It is 17 km north of Quito."Intinan Museum - Inca artifcats on display in burial chamber exhibit.
Intinan Museum - Inca artifcats on display in burial chamber exhibit.Intinan Museum - displaying a collection of sculptures from throughout the Americas.Intinan Museum - sun dial showing time configured differently because the sun is overhead on the Equator.Intinan Museum - Shrunken head.
Intinan Museum - Rainforest Tarantula.Intinan Museum - Rainforest Tarantula.Intinan Museum Poster illustrating its exhibits.Intinan Museum - LlamaUnderwater photograph by Joel Bergsma
Sites to be seen on a clear day from the top of the El Teleferico.View of Quito far below, stretching along a valley about 22 miles long by 2 - 3 miles wide. The top of the El Teleferico is 4,050 meters high, far above timberline.View of a volcano and farm land west of Quito. The top of the El Teleferico is 4,050 meters high, far above timberline.El Teleferico Tram in Quito. According to getquitoecuador.com, "... the Teleferico ... gives to every visitor a spectacular view of the city and its surroundings including more than 14 peaks of the Andes that is called the Volcanoes Avenue. The Teleferico reaches 4,050 meters on the summit of Cruz Loma."
El Panecillo. The old city of Quito lies below our luncheon restaurant Pim's, near the top of El Panecillo, 3,016 meters above sea level.Our luncheon restaurant Pim's, near the top of El Panecillo, 3,016 meters above sea level. Good food.Our luncheon restaurant Pim's, near the top of El Panecillo, 3,016 meters above sea level.Beautiful view of Quito from our restaurant Pim's, near the top of El Panecillo, 3,016 meters above sea level.
Looking down from Pim's Restaurant toward the Plaza Grande in the old city of Quito. According to the Plaza Grande Hotel's website, "Quito was declared a UNESCO "World Heritage Site" in 1978, thanks to its historic center, which is the largest and best preserved in Latin America. The colonial center of the Franciscan city of Quito is a treasure trove of baroque art and architecture, including buildings, churches, monasteries and narrow streets that reflect Ecuador's unique blend of indigenous and Spanish cultures."El Panecillo. On this mountain, an angel overlooks the City of Quito. Per Wikipedia, "In 1976, the Spanish artist Agustín de la Herrán Matorras was commissioned by the religious order of the Oblates to build a 45-metre-tall aluminum monument of a madonna which was assembled on a high pedestal on the top of Panecillo. It is made of seven thousand pieces of aluminium. ...The virgin stands on top of a globe and is stepping on a snake, which is a classic madonna iconography. Less traditional are the wings. Locals claim that she is the only one in the world with wings like an angel. The monument was inspired by the famous "Virgen de Quito" (Quito's Madonna) also known as "the dancer" sculpted by Bernardo de Legarda in 1734, which now decorates the main altar at the Church of St. Francis. ...According to a bronze placard affixed to the monument, the woman represented by the statue is the Woman of the Apocalypse, as described in the Book of Revelation (Revelation 12:1–18)."Looking from Pim's Restaurant toward the El Teleferico and the city sprawl to the north of the old town.El Panecillo. On this mountain, an angel overlooks the City of Quito. Per Wikipedia, "In 1976, the Spanish artist Agustín de la Herrán Matorras was commissioned by the religious order of the Oblates to build a 45-metre-tall aluminum monument of a madonna which was assembled on a high pedestal on the top of Panecillo. It is made of seven thousand pieces of aluminium. ...The virgin stands on top of a globe and is stepping on a snake, which is a classic madonna iconography. Less traditional are the wings. Locals claim that she is the only one in the world with wings like an angel. The monument was inspired by the famous "Virgen de Quito" (Quito's Madonna) also known as "the dancer" sculpted by Bernardo de Legarda in 1734, which now decorates the main altar at the Church of St. Francis. ...According to a bronze placard affixed to the monument, the woman represented by the statue is the Woman of the Apocalypse, as described in the Book of Revelation (Revelation 12:1–18)."
Church on Plaza de la Independencia (Plaza Grande), beside the Presidential Palace. Winged madonna statue is in the distance on the hilltop.Plaza de la Independencia (Plaza Grande), the city square in old Quito.Presidential Palace in old Quito, adjoining the Plaza de la Independencia (Plaza Grande).Hotel Plaza Grande is housed in a renovated colonial building on the square in old Quito. According to the Plaza Grande Hotel's website, "Quito was declared a UNESCO "World Heritage Site" in 1978, thanks to its historic center, which is the largest and best preserved in Latin America. The colonial center of the Franciscan city of Quito is a treasure trove of baroque art and architecture, including buildings, churches, monasteries and narrow streets that reflect Ecuador's unique blend of indigenous and Spanish cultures."
Presidential Palace on the Plaza de la Independencia (Plaza Grande).Museum on the Plaza de la Independencia (Plaza Grande).Plaza de la Independencia (Plaza Grande). Presidential Palace on left, Hotel Plaza Grande straight ahead."The Church of The Compania of Jesus in Quito has been catalogued by UNESCO among the hundred most important World Heritage Site Monuments in the world," per getquitoecuador.com website. No photos were allowed inside the church.
Church in old Quito.A square before the church in Old Quito.The Pim Restaurant is on the left and the winged Madonna on the right.La Basilica Church. Per Tripadvisor, "Considered the largest church in Quito, this impressive building features fine bronze doors, colorful stained glass windows and a tower with sweeping views of the city."
La Basilica Church. Per Tripadvisor, "Considered the largest church in Quito, this impressive building features fine bronze doors, colorful stained glass windows and a tower with sweeping views of the city."