12 Rules you can’t ignore when going to Galapagos

Compartir

The Galapagos Islands are one of the few places in the world that remain relatively untouched by human exploitation. The preservation of the environment is everybody's responsibility. You can help, by following some simple rules which will help to maintain the archipelago's fragile ecosystem intact. The future depends on you. 

1. Because of its unique nature, the plants, animals and rocks should stay on site so that there is no change.  Nothing must be taken away from the Islands, except photos. 

2. Please avoid the introduction of foreign organisms such as animals, seeds, plants and insects as they cause serious problems. 

3. Galapagos animals should not be touched or petted for your safety because they can quickly lose their tameness and change their behavior.

4. The endemic and native fauna of Galapagos has its natural form for feeding.  Therefore, do not give them any type of food because it could harm them.

5. The Galapagos marine birds leave their nests if you disturb or follow them.  They will leave their eggs or chicks alone on the ground or leave them exposed to the sun.  Therefore you may watch the birds at a distance of no less than two meters.

6. Visitors’ sites at the Galapagos National Park are marked to guarantee your safety.  You cannot leave the paths.

7. Garbage of any type interferes with natural processes and takes away the enchantment of the unique Islands scenery. Do not dispose garbage at visitors sites, in the ocean or near the Islands.

8. Please avoid purchasing souvenirs made of flora and fauna of the Islands, like black coral, marine tortoise shells, sea lion teeth or shells. This goes against the principles of conservation.

9. Avoid writing names and phrases of any type on rocks, walls, etc. It is a sign of bad manners and rudeness and damages the scenery.

10. Fire or smoking within Park areas is not allowed as a fire could start with a match or a cigarette that is not put out completely and can cause uncontrollable bushfires, death and destruction.

11. Fishing on board of tourist ships is not permitted.  Please collaborate with the National Park Service by reporting any transgression to the management of the Galapagos National Park.

12. If you want to camp in the authorized sites or do commercial fishing you have to request a permit from the Galapagos National Park Director. Please contact The Galapagos National Park at any of their technical offices located in the inhabited Islands (San Cristobal, Santa Cruz, Isabela or Floreana).

The Galapagos National Park thanks you for respecting these rules.

Source: Galapagos National Park.
Photo: lightmatter

The Volcanoes Land: Passing Through Giants

Compartir

When traveling to Ecuador, make sure you include in your plans a 325km (201mi) road called “The Volcanoes Avenue”. This road goes through some of the world’s highest volcanic peaks, many of which are still active. Named by the legendary explorer Alexander Von Humboldt in 1802, this unique natural corridor is formed by eleven volcanoes that emerged on the sides of the Ecuadorian central highlands. It has become one of Ecuador’s main sightseeing destinations, attracting thousands of tourists each year.

Already at the beginning of the trip the landscape variety is overwhelming: one gets surrounded by immense patchwork of fields and enormous pine forest plateaus. The first part of the route goes through the magnificent volcanoes of Pasochoa, Corazon and Illiniza, finally getting to the Rumiñahui volcano, where visitors have the opportunity to climb to the crater either by trekking or on horseback. Once at the top, an astonishing view of the mighty, 5900-meter (19356ft)-high Cotopaxi volcano will take your breath away!

Back on the road, you go through a landscape of low-hanging clouds until reaching the Cotopaxi National Park, Ecuador’s most famous park and home of the highest active volcano in the world: the Cotopaxi, nominated for the World’s New Seven Wonders of Nature. Contrary to the Chimborazo Volcano, where you must have more climbing experience, Cotopaxi offers a great climbing opportunity for reasonably in shape novices. There is a good gravel road which winds up the ash-strewn side to a parking area located 4600m (2 miles) away. From here, the physically fit can carefully walk a further distance of 200m (0.12mi) to a refuge from which you can get incredible views – if the altitude and the weather allow!

The route then passes through Baños (baths), a scenic little town named like that after the five natural thermal baths found here. Baños is located in the Tungurahua province, nestled in a valley at the foot of the 5023m (16479ft)-high Tungurahua volcano.

Our Final Destination is Riobamba. This city has quite a unique location. On a clear day, it is possible to see the peaks of five volcanoes: Chimborazo (6310m/20702ft), Altar (5319m/17450ft), Sangay (5230m/17158), Tungurahua (5023m/16479ft) and Carihuairazo (5020m/16469ft) – a magnificent view! Chimborazo, the highest volcano in Ecuador and the furthest point from the center of the Earth (and once thought to be the highest mountain on Earth) is located approx. 50km (31 miles) away from Riobamba.

To better enjoy the environmental beauty of this eco route, activities such as horseback riding, canopy, climbing, trekking and bird watching are offered to visitor, but just the fact to be standing next to these magnificent formations, volcanoes that are higher than you could imagine, will give you a feeling of eternal peace and an unforgivable memory.

Photo: Kilobug

Panama Hats: a world famous Ecuadorian handcraft

Compartir

The toquilla Straw hat, better known as “Panama Hat”, has its origins in the Ecuadorian counties of Montecristi  and Jipijapa, both located in the Manabi province. No one knows exactly how long these hats have been woven in Ecuador, but it was certainly some centuries before the Spanish Conquest. The chroniclers of those times narrate that natives wore over their heads a hand split, strange attire similar to vampires’ wings, made from the fibers of a plant that grew wild in a sector of the Ecuadorian coastal region.

There is much more information you might ignore about the Panama hats, so we’ve made a quick list of the 5 most relevant facts about them:

1.       Its original name is “Toquilla Straw Hat”, named after the palm tree straws they are made from.

2.       The “Panama Hat” trade name was created in the mid-1800s by American gold miners who stumbled upon these hats in the Panama markets. Once in the United Estates, the hat quickly became fashionable, and from that day on, it has been misleadingly known as “Panama hat”.

3.       The botanical name of the palm tree used to produce the Panama hat was created in Europe, at the end of the 18th century. Botanist called the palm “carludovica palmata” (from the Latin roots carolus: Carlos; and luduvica: Luisa) in honor to the king Carlos IV and the queen Luisa, who wore the hat as several renowned members of the European royalty did.

4.       The hat reached its popularity during the 18th and 19th century, when it was used by renowned people like Napoleon III and Edward VII. In the 1920s, gangsters adopted the wide brim models still known as the “Al Capone style”, while women preferred the smaller-brim models in a variety of colors to match their dresses. Nowadays the hat is still used by Hollywood starts like Jeff Goldblum and Peter Falk, as well as by some members of the royalty.

5.       The Panama hat is catalogued as one of the world’s three finest hats. A Panama hat of truly fine quality –a "superfino"– can hold water, and when folded for storage, it can pass through a wedding ring.

In Ecuador, this hat has an average cost of $25 to $50, but can fetch more than five times this price depending on the style and the quality. Whether you buy it in Ecuador or internationally, a toquilla Straw Hat represents a stylish accessory that can be worn all year long, in any climate.

Photo: Alex Proimos

Huaorani and Achuar: Ethnic Groups from the Ecuadorian Amazon

Compartir

When thinking about the Spanish conquerors’ arrival to the Kingdom of Quito, Ecuador, it is impossible not to imagine how astonished would they have felt by looking at the various social settlements and realizing how different could their culture and customs be, regardless of being separated by very short distances.

This diversity is still found today in Ecuador, a multiethnic and thus multicultural nation that is nowadays home to fourteen ethnic groups, living in more than sixteen communities. Among these indigenous groups we can find the Huaorani and the Achuar, both communities that have stood out as nature’s guardians.

The Huaorani have a population of 4.000 people, located inside the Ecuadorian Amazon basin, in the provinces of Orellana, Pastaza and Napo, which comprised in a 6,125km² (3805sq.mi) area considered by the Ecuador government, since 1990, an untouchable indigenous reserve, thanks to its support and conservation of ethnical customs and beliefs policy. Their reserve overlaps with the Yasuní National Park, one of the most biologically diverse places on Earth, something that provides them some measure of environmental protection and, at the same time, makes them its primary defenders, given their belief of respecting everything that exists.

The Huaorani people are known for taking the decision to live in complete isolation, away from the contemporary world. The forest is their home, and they consider the outside world to be unsafe. Among their beliefs is found that of afterlife. According to them, a person who dies walks a trail to the next life guarded by large python. Those who cannot escape the snake fail to enter the spirits’ domain and return to Earth to become animals. Another Huaorani belief is that deer’s eyes are similar to those of humans, and therefore they shall not hunt and eat them.

Some Good Reasons to Study Spanish in Ecuador

Compartir

Just like it happens with the English language, Spanish can present some variations according to the country where it is spoken. The pronunciation, the expressions, as well as the meaning of the words are elements that may change from one country to another. Because of this, Spanish may be easier to learn in certain countries rather than others.

Given these facts, the question arising in your mind now might be “Which is the best country to learn Spanish?” …The answer is Ecuador. Because Ecuadorians are known for their exceptionally clear pronunciation and use of Spanish diction, the Spanish you’ll be learning from an Ecuador native will allow you to be understood in any other Spanish-speaking country. Ecuadorian Spanish is considered one of the easiest to understand in the Spanish-speaking world.

If learning Spanish the easy way isn’t enough, here are some other excellent reasons to make this beautiful South American country the best choice to pursue your language goal:

1.       The Warmth of the People: Ecuadorians are friendly, kind-hearted persons. They enjoy having contact with people from other countries, so you may find them approaching you for conversation on their own initiative. In Ecuador, everyone is a friend.

2.       The Excellent Spanish Language and Culture Schools:  Ecuador has a big number of Spanish language and culture schools where you can learn fast, getting the individual attention you need from the best professional teachers. The students are shown fantastic ways to put learning into practice, and encouraged to speak Spanish while out in the community to be totally immersed in the language.

3.       The Magnificent Surroundings: When you decide to take a break from studying, you won’t get bored. In Ecuador, there’s plenty to see and do. Apart from its towering volcanic peaks, pristine cloud forests and the unique Galapagos Islands, Ecuador is also a home for vibrant indigenous cultures, a place rich in Historic Colonial architecture, Incan archaeological sites and colorful local markets that remain largely unaffected by modernity. Ecuador is a country of diversity and contrasts. It is the only place where you can travel through tropical coasts, mountains and cloud forests within a few hours.

4.       The Travel Easiness: Of all Andean countries, Ecuador is certainly the one in which traveling is easier. Distances are short, infrastructures are acceptable, prices are quite accessible and the spring-like climate goes all year round.

Whether your choice is the captivating city of Quito; or you rather stay at Cuenca, in the heart of Ecuador’s culture; or if you love the beach and decide to take a Spanish and a surf course at the same time in places such as Montañita or Manta… no matter where you choose to study, Ecuador could lead you to the most worthwhile and memorable learning experience of your life.

Photo:  ElGringoLoco