February 4, 2013 Guayaquil, Ecuador

February 4, 2013 Guayaquil, Ecuador 5:00a to 7:00p

Many people will do overland tours here to either the Galapagos Islands or Machu Picchu. Since we recently visited the Galapagos via Celebrity Xpedition for 7 days with extended visits to Quito, Mindo Cloud Forest and Otavalo and then an 8 day land tour to Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu we didn’t schedule one on this trip.

Today, we had no organized tour and took the ship’s shuttle to the famous Guayaquil Waterfront, called Malecon 2000, which has been transformed into the prettiest and most visited area of Guayaquil. This area has revived the traditional values of Ecuador, while returning the eyes of the people to the river. This new 2.5 km waterfront walk along the shore of the mighty Guayas River is home to entertainment, culture as well as  nature.

 Moorish Clock Tower

 La Rotonda Monument

 steps to the top of the hill

 444 steps to Santa Ana Hill

 views from the top



Sites along the way:

The northern section boasts several plazas, water fountains, an antique Ecuadorian train, spaces for aerobics, skating and games for children, a superb Archaeological and Contemporary Art Museum, an ultra modern IMAX theater. A Fortress, complete with cannons, which served to defend Guayaquil against pirate attacks, is also available to explore.

The central area of the waterfront walk is home the historic Civic Plaza with its sculptures, La Rotonda Monument and the Moorish Clock Tower. The Guayaquil Yacht Club and the Naval Yacht club can also be found here.

The ultramodern Bahia Malecon Shopping Center is located in the southern part of the walk. Strollers can stop and enjoy the terraces, restaurants and a spectacular view of the river. The Old South Market, now completely renovated features the magnificent Crystal Palace, a perfect venue for cultural, social and even official events.

All museums are closed on Monday so we leisurely walked the length of the Malecon. Many locals were enjoying the park, families played with their children and young lovers displayed their affection openly. Guys stealing kisses and girls pretending not to enjoy it.

At the far end of the Malecon was Santa Ana Hill, the oldest neighborhood of Guayaquil, Las Peñas which has been beautifully restored with bright colored wooden constructions housing many are galleries. We climbed the 444 steps to the top of the hill where there was a lighthouse that we also climbed and were rewarded with beautiful views and a nice breeze. There was also a lovely chapel. 

The sights and sounds were amazing. There was a school and the children were loud and laughing. Beautiful colored buildings up the hill.  

We enjoyed a nice lunch at one of the food courts there and I had pork with rice & beans, patacones and vegetables. Greg had chicken with the same sides. YUM!

 

We left the Malecon to walk towards the city center where there were parks, cathedrals and government buildings.

The Simón Bolívar Park boasts an impressive statue in honor of the Liberator of South America. The park was full of colorful land iguanas roaming freely throughout the park. Locals were feeding them bananas. Since they are also in the trees, there were a couple young children crying because the iguanas peed on them.

 

We then walked back to the Malecon to walk through the Botanical gardens and have some icecream.



Weather was hot and humid as one might expect on the equator. It was overcast with some breeze so we found it very tolerable. (others not so much..) It did rain just a bit just as we were headed back to the shuttle to take us back to the ship.

 

 this boy asked for me to take his picture



 

Dinner had everyone comparing what we did that day.

The evening entertainment was the same comedian with all new material. He did some magic tricks that had everyone laughing AT, I mean WITH, the passengers assisting him.

Tomorrow is another wonderful sea day! Lots of pictures to work on. I think I will skip the Panama Canal since I have an album of photos from the last time on my Picasa Web Albums. I’ll update this years after we return home.