One week ago today we (along with 7 large bags of luggage, 2 bikes and our dog) left Ecuador, and not just for a vacation. It was very difficult and emotional for our whole family. This was first published in April, 2015. The Sunday before, we packed everything and sold off all our belongings. Many…
We recently spent some time in Azogues, a small city not far from Cuenca. It has a population of around 40,000 and, although it’s in a different province, is considered part of the Cuenca Metropolitan area. Visiting Azogues Ecuador Azogues is about a 40-minute drive from Cuenca, it’s the capital of Cañar Province. You’ll pass it on…
Have you ever eaten prickly pear (genus opuntia) cactus fruit? I never knew cactus plants produced edible fruit until we moved to Ecuador. The only cactus plants I had ever seen in Canada were in little pots, growing indoors. When researching this post I found out that some prickly pear cactus do grow in Canada,…
One of the cultural dishes you’ll find on most menus in Ecuador is the seco. Have you tried it? I’ve tried a few different kinds, and I like them all. What’s a Seco? Seco de Pollo, Carne, Chivo… A seco is a stewed meat dish, usually served with rice, a few pieces of avocado, some fried plantain,…
Love it or hate it – House Hunters International is a powerhouse affecting thousands of future expats. In this post, I’ll share some reflections about our HHI experience a few years ago. And I publish a full list of all 14 House Hunter International episodes filmed here in Ecuador. Our House Hunters International Experience It’s been…
The male vermilion flycatcher is a tiny bright red bird. He is a real attention grabber! The first one we saw was in the Galapagos Islands on Isabela Island. We have also seen them in the Yunguilla Valley, just south of Cuenca, Ecuador. (Read more about living in Ecuador) 15 Facts About The Vermilion Flycatcher…
Ecuador is famous for chocolate. In this post, we’ll cover some of the premium chocolate brands in Ecuador (República del Cacao, Pacari), a unique chocolate drink with cheese, and how to correctly taste chocolate. Let’s begin with our full taste review of República del Cacao. República del Cacao: Premium Ecuador Chocolate Imagine our excitement when República…
The Pink Silk (Albizia julibrissin) tree is beautiful! Its blossoms look more like feathers than flowers. The first time I saw this flowering tree I could hardly believe my eyes. It looks like something out of a Dr. Seuss book. Read more about living in Ecuador 11 Interesting Facts About the Pink Silk Tree The…
This is a post by Magali Ipina – a Canadian expat living in Quito, Ecuador. Baños is by far one of our favorite destinations here in Ecuador due to its spectacular setting and amazing natural beauty. Best Things to Do in Baños Gateway to the Amazon rain-forest, it is home to 70 waterfalls, and hundreds…
Floreana is a small isolated island in the Galapagos. It has a very interesting history and is one of the most memorable places we’ve ever visited. The Galapagos Islands are famous for their unique animals. We explored three islands and had unforgettable animal encounters on each of them, but none as breathtaking as on Floreana! Perhaps…