Santiago: A charming Island inside the “Encantadas”

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Nearby the Santa Cruz (Indefatigable) Island is found the Santiago (James) Island, located at the center of the whole Galapagos archipelago. With a size of 590 km² (366mi), this attractive place offers tourists the most charming spots to enjoy different activities.

Armed with an adventurous spirit, you will witness beautiful natural sceneries existing only in places such as the following:

•     James Bay (Puerto Egas): Located in the west side of the island, this place has a beach of black sand in which large colonies of sea lieons rest by the crystalline waters of the sea, which are perfect for swimming, snorkeling or scuba diving. Magnificent sharks, as well as a great variety of colorful little fish can be observed going deep down these waters. Behind the beach, there is a path that leads to the surroundings of the wide crater of the Pan de Azúcar volcano.

•    Buccaneer Cove (Caleta Bucanero): Found north of Puerto Egas, this place is home of a beautiful beach of brown sand and natural landscapes of large, high cliffs in which you can observe numerous species of seabirds, as if all the birds of the island had a meeting right in that spot. Long time ago, this place was used as a safe refuge for whalers, pirates and sailors.

•    Espumilla Beach: Located to the southeast of the island, this beach has quite exuberant vegetation compared to other regions of the island, which makes it the favorite nesting spot for sea turtles. If you get luck, you can witness this Nature’s unforgettable spectacle. Very close to the coast, going inside the island just a little, there is a large area of mangrove swamps, home of an endemic bird very hard to find: the Galapagos Hawk, who only a few people will get the opportunity to observe. Nearby the swamps is also a lake in where beautiful white and pink flamingoes live together with a variety of small birds.

•    Sullivan Bay: Found to the east of the island, this place has a peculiar beach of white sand in which the large colonies of fur seals can be observed. This seal species has a very sweet appearance due to the two types of fur it has, one longer than the other. Leaving the beach behind, you will find a 1.5 km (1 mile) path in which soon you will find yourself surrounded by wonderful lava fields. A place where long ago there was nothing but fire is now the home of one marvelous creature: the black marine iguana.

With places like these, Santiago is one of the most diverse and charming islands of the Galapagos. It is a central point where the most beautiful beaches of different colors, the most fascinating aquatic life, abundant vegetation and many other interesting species have gathered together. The island’s privileged location is a great starting point for visitors, since it will encourage them to keep on discovering this unique and impressive archipelago.

Photo: Villamette University

Cultural Tourism in Quito: The 4 Immortals

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They were great artists, they have become immortal, and they are Ecuadorian. They are people that managed to capture the images in their minds with great clarity, transforming their thoughts into unforgettable artworks, known all around the world. Here is a short chronological review of four of the greatest Ecuadorian artists:

1.    Caspicara, sculptor. Quito 1723-1796

His birth name was Manuel Chili, but he later changed it to Caspicara, which means “wooden face” in Quechua, his native language. His finely detailed works had a contrast between serenity and dramatic themes, reflected in astonishing religious images. He was one of the creators of the Escuela Quiteña de Arte (Quito school of art), which remains active.

His works can be visited at:
•    The San Francisco Church, at the Convent’s Museum
•    The Nuestra Señora de los Dolores Chapel, also known as the Cantuña Chapel
•    The Quito Cathedral, also known as the “Iglesia la Catedral”
•    The Quito School of Art


2.    Bernardo de Legarda, sculptor. Quito, late 17th Century -1773

His most famous work is known as the “Inmaculada”, which is one of the most representative artistic images of Ecuadorian art. It is not only beloved by Ecuadorians: its beauty made it object to several imitations throughout all South America. Legarda’s work inspired the Spanish artist Agustín de la Herrán Matorras to create the majestic, large-scale replica of the famous “Virgen del Panecillo”, that can be seen by anyone visiting Quito’s historical downtown.

Legarda’s works can be found at the following places:
•    The San Francisco Church, where the “Inmaculada” is found at the High Altar
•    The Santa Clara Monastery
•    The Concepción Convent

3.    Miguel de Santiago, painter. Quito, 1630-1706

He has been the subject for many legends that try to explain why he stayed inside the San Agustin Convent for such a long period of time. What is true is the majesty of the works he created in there, such as the series of paintings devoted to the life of San Agustin or the greatly portrayed chapters of the “Christian Doctrine”. All of these make an immortal legacy of this painter from Quito to whom the origins of the baroque art in Quito are attributed.

His works can be seen at:
•    The Miguel de Santiago Museum, located inside the San Agustin Convent.
•    The Guápulo Church

4.    Oswaldo Guayasamín, sculptor and painter. Quito, 1919-1999

Guayasamín is undoubtedly the most widely known Ecuadorian artist. His works are a legacy not only for his country, but to the whole world. His paintings go deep into the soul; in his own words, his art “is made for hurting, scratching and beating into the heart of the people”. Observing his work, his completely unique style can’t be denied.

There are several places where his works can be seen, but his most representative collections are found in:
•    The Hombre Chapel: his biggest artistic project and a sanctuary for most of his works
•    The Guayasamín Museum


The love and dedication of these four artists was reflected in works of art that became patrimonial treasures for humanity. Treasures whose excellent conservation has made it possible nowadays for us to be amazed and rejoiced in each detail and structure brought to the world by these wonderful creators.

Photo: Enciclopedia del Ecuador

Five New Volcanoes Discovered in Ecuador

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It was difficult for researchers to believe that finding one day some little fragments of volcanic glass –obsidian– would consequently be one of the greatest geological discoveries in Ecuador, something that would reaffirm to the world the reason why this land is known as the “Volcanic Land”. Two American volcano experts, Minard Hall and Patricia Mothes, have announced this way the discovery of five new volcanoes found inside the Ecuadorian Amazon.

Located inside the province of Napo, 75km (46mi) away from Quito, the recently discovered volcanoes have a height range that goes from 2800 to 3700m (9186 to 12139 feet). They got named “El Dorado”, “Domos de Huevo de Chivo”, “Lava Baeza”, “Centro Cosanga” and “Centro Pamayacu”, and this last one is believed to be potentially active. The age of the volcanoes is estimated to be around 2 000 and 20 000 years old.

The amazing expedition inspired the volcanoes’ discoverers so much that they don’t rule out the possibility of the existence of more volcanoes, which might be located close to the Cordillera Real Andina (Royal Andean Mountain Range). More than 50 volcanoes have been identified in Ecuador at present, and 20 of them are considered active by the Global Volcanism Program. Many of them can be visited through the touristic corridor known as the “Volcanoes Avenue”.

The recent discovery has been proudly announced to the rest of the world. Due to their understanding of the cosmos, Ecuadorians feel admiration and respect for these impressive giants, and they are often considered to be the guardians and protectors of their territory.

Discover the Romantic Legend of the Lake and the Tree

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Only five minutes away from the city of Otavalo are found two attractive touristic spots: the San Pablo Lake, found southeast of the city; and the Lechero Tree, located at the top of a nearby famous hill called “Rey Loma”, where an indigenous fortress was built.  These two magical places are the main characters of a fascinating legend:

The story tells that North of Ecuador in the Andean mountain range, in a region now known as the Imbabura province, there was a time of great drought during which nothing would grow at the fields. According to the indigenous tradition of those times, it was necessary for a young maiden to be sacrificed in order to calm down the rage of the Imbabura volcano, who was believed to be the cause of such bad season.

A beautiful indigene girl called “Nina Pacha” (which means “Light Source”) was chosen for the sacrifice. Nina Pacha was in love with a young man called Guatalquí, who was ready to do anything to save the life of his beloved one. It was impossible to escape from the village, since it was very well surveyed, so the lovers decided to get help from a powerful wizard. He told them that the only way to leave the village and escape from the sacrifice would be having Nina Pacha cut one of her two beautiful long braids. Both lovers had to hold on to one end of the braid without letting go, as a proof of their union and their love’s strength. The wizard added that they could not look at each other’s face nor back to the village until reaching the top of the nearby mountain, otherwise she would become a lake and he would become a tree.

The lovers began their escape following the instructions from the wizard. With a lot of effort, the couple was finally approaching the peak of the mountain, but they were not alone: they were being chased by a crowd of angry villagers. When the two lovers were about to get caught, Nina Pacha could not help looking back, and Guatalquí did the same involuntarily. At that moment, the sky cleared and the Imbabura volcano awoke from his sleep. The beautiful Nina Pacha became a big lake at the feet of the volcano; and at the same time a lightning struck the young man, who vanished leaving behind a leafy tree known nowadays as the “Lechero”. At the end, the shocked villagers witnessed a hard rain falling over the fields …the drought was over.

It is said that from that moment on, the lake and its guardian tree became a place of prayer and rituals related to the crops. The tree and the lake are very close to one another, and you can have a whole sight of the lake from the top of the hill where the tree is at, as if the young Guatalquí kept surveying his beloved Nina Pacha, staying together forever like they couldn’t before.

Nowadays, it is believed that when you visit the Lechero tree for the first time, you can make a wish while hugging him tightly. As long as it is a positive wish, the tree will make it come true.

Photo: Ecuador a la Carte

June, 2011: The World’s First Ecological Airport Will Be Built in the Galapagos

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The world’s first and only ecological airport will be built in the Galapagos Archipelago, at the Baltra Island. With a cost of 21 million USD, the airport will have a surface of 9000 m² –approximately the size of a professional soccer stadium–. This unprecedented engineering wonder planned to be finished by June, 2011 will highly contribute to the preservation of the species of the area.

This pioneering and historical work has got its ecological quality due to all the building procedures that will be put in practice for its construction: the airport will rigorously respect the international environmental standards using modern and efficient technologies never seen before in other airports. It will be a construction that harmonizes with its surroundings, made fully out of wood and stone. The power it will require will be only solar and wind power, complemented by natural lightning and air flow sources. Its water consumption will be highly controlled and the water will be recycled to optimize the use of the island’s limited resources. Altogether, this airport will set an example for the world to follow in coexisting with nature with a new generation of ecological buildings.

This airport would be good news for anyone, anywhere. Its construction gives hope and confidence that the human kind may one day live once again in harmony with nature. Undoubtedly, this is a reason to celebrate for the island and the region’s wildlife!

Photo: Gobierno Municipal de Santa Cruz