Ecuador

[hick]

I'll start with this guy in Quito, cuz he's fuckin tightroping at a red light whilst juggling machetes.

check him out:

[hick]

City park - quasi-Shaman hijinks

[hick]

Some spoken word, off the cuff comedy skit stuff going down.

My Spanish is weak.

[hick]

Early morn

[hick]

[hick]

Beavis and Butthead live

[hick]

[hick]

[hick]

It's a nice park, near my accom. but I won't be here long.

Gotta get down to Amazonia



Bus or hitch?

please cast your vote

[naptownmike]

What happens when the light turns green? To the tight rope guy

[hick]

He gets down and waits.

[happynz]

Early morn

"The treasure is going up" so I suppose it means "things are improving". Interesting mix of the conquistador, the indigena, and the zorro (fox). However, going by the fish it looks as if they are at the bottom of the sea, so the only way is up. lol

[Dillinger]

Bus or hitch?

please cast your vote

Hitch and meet some locals/axe murderer, how's your Spanish?

[happynz]

My Spanish is weak.

...is what he said.

[Dillinger]

Stay safe Hick... looks fukkin dangerous

Violent Crime
Violent crime, including assault and armed robbery is common in Ecuador, particularly in the major cities, such as Quito and Guayaquil. There have been reports of violent crime, sometimes involving firearms and other weapons, in tourist areas such as jungle lodges and nature reserves. In Quito, serious assaults have been reported in El Panecillo, La Carolina and El Ejido parks, La Mariscal, Guapulo, the old town and South Quito. Thieves target tourists in areas outside of Quito, including in the downtown, waterfront and market areas of Guayaquil, Cerro Mandango near Vilcabamba Loja and the Antennas of Pichincha as well as in jungle lodges in the Lower Rio Napo and Cuyabeno National Reserve areas.

Petty crime including pickpocketing, bag-snatching and distraction theft is also common in transport hubs, markets and other public areas.

We advise all New Zealanders travelling in Ecuador to be security conscious at all times and avoid travelling alone or at night. You should guard your belongings carefully. No resistance should be given if you are the victim of an armed robbery as this could lead to an escalation in violence.

Violent crime is known to occur on public transport and intercity buses. When travelling by bus, do not store anything under your seat or in the overhead compartments. Avoid travel at night and taking intercity buses with a reputation for making stops along the route as criminals have been known to board buses to rob passengers.

There has been an increase in reports of “express kidnappings” in Ecuador, where criminals abduct a victim for a short period of time and force them to withdraw funds from ATMs to secure their release. To reduce the risk of this occurring we recommend you use ATMs located inside banks during daylight hours.

Express kidnappings, and other forms of robbery and assault, have been known to occur when using unlicensed taxis. We recommend you only use authorised taxis that display their orange license plates and orange and white registration number on the side of the car and on the windshield, and preferably booked through a radio dispatch service or hotel.

There has been an increase in incidents of sexual assault against foreigners in Ecuador, particularly in the city of Montañita. Visitors, particularly women, should take care, travel in groups and ensure you have reputable accommodation with good security.

Some tourists have had their drinks or food spiked with drugs and have subsequently been sexually assaulted or robbed. We recommend you take care not to leave your food or drinks unattended and be wary of strangers who offer you food, drink, chewing gum or cigarettes.

Terrorism
While Ecuador does not have a history of terrorism, it is worthwhile noting that in 2018 there have been a number of bomb explosions and kidnappings in the northern province of Esmeraldas, bordering Colombia.

New Zealanders in Ecuador are advised to keep themselves informed of potential risks to safety and security by monitoring the media and other local information sources. We recommend following any instructions issued by local authorities and exercising vigilance in public places.

Civil Unrest
Protests and demonstrations are common in Ecuador, particularly in major cities, and have on occasion resulted in violence. Local laws expressly prohibit political activity by foreigners and participation in such action may result in arrest. New Zealanders in Ecuador are advised to avoid all demonstrations and protests as even those intended as peaceful have the potential to result in violence.

Landmines
There are unexploded landmines in the Cordillera del Condor region near the Peruvian border. We recommend you remain on well-used roads and paths south of Cuenca, including in the provinces of Zamora-Chinchipe, Morona-Santiago and El Oro.

Seismic Activity
Ecuador is located in an active seismic zone, and is prone to earthquakes with the potential threat of volcanic eruptions and tsunamis. There are several active volcanoes on Ecuador’s mainland, including near Quito, and on the Galapagos Islands. New Zealanders are advised to monitor local information sources and adhere to any restrictions and instructions issued by local authorities relating to earthquake or volcano safety.

General Travel Advice
It is a legal requirement in Ecuador to carry identification at all times.

New Zealanders travelling or living in Ecuador should have a comprehensive travel insurance policy in place that includes provision for medical evacuation by air.

Serious medical cases in the Galapagos Islands will likely require medical evacuation to the Ecuadorian mainland for treatment. Surgical and cardiac services are extremely limited. As there are no air ambulance services based on the islands, the wait time to be evacuated can be 48 hours or more, depending on weather conditions.

[hick]

^Thank goodness I'm not a New Zealander!

[Dillinger]

[Maanaam]

"The treasure is going up" so I suppose it means "things are improving". Interesting mix of the conquistador, the indigena, and the zorro (fox). However, going by the fish it looks as if they are at the bottom of the sea, so the only way is up

What's the significance of the rhinoceros beetle the conquistador is riding?

Hick, I'm sure it's very interesting but it looks very dry and drab. Amazonia will surely be much better.

[hick]

Oh yeah, this is just a pit stop. The South is where it's at.

[NamPikToot]

Oh yeah, this is just a pit stop. The South is where it's at.

Hick, great travels, I love south america, still got a last frontier feel to it in places. Whats the plan, just ecuador or is it a full on tour?

[Luigi]

What happens when the light turns green?

The drivers drive past with the windows up and doors locked, while avoiding eye contact.

[happynz]

What's the significance of the rhinoceros beetle the conquistador is riding?

Beats me. My art critique skills aren't that well developed, but the Spaniard and the beetle are both armoured.

[Neverna]

Quito looks a bit rundown.

[Switch]

Stay safe Hick... looks fukkin dangerous

Sounds just like Thailand.

[hick]

Quito looks a bit rundown.

Of course it does,...they don't even have a flippin currency


It was just one walk (ok, two short ones) mind...

Apparently these spots exist:









https://www.google.com/search?q=quit...iw=414&bih=660