Day 25 - Guayaquil to Bogata - start of journey home

We had a long lay in this morning (well longer than any other on this holiday) and then a leisurely breakfast.  We went for another walk along the Malecon 2000 (River Front) and things are a lot quieter today than they were yesterday.

There are very few cars about.  The streets that were very busy yesterday now have far few cars on them and these seem to be mainly buses and taxis.  We were continually flashed or tooted at by drivers in an attempt to get a bit of business.  Even shopping centres and most other shops are now closed.

University Square

The pedestrian crossings along the main road are paintings of something nearby.  This one depicts the River Guayas

The pedestrian crossings along the main road are paintings of something nearby.  This one depicts the gardens in Malecon 2000

This was a very busy road yesterday.  Today we could easily cross away from the traffic lights.




We walked to the end of the Malecon 2000 hoping that it would lead to a riverside path outside of the path but it didn't.  We took some photos of an area called Las Penas which is an area with renovated colourful wooden houses.  We also took some photos of Cerro Santa Ana, a regenerated area that was once a slum area and the most dangerous place in Ecuador but is now a safe area.  It is built on a hill with a lighthouse on top.  We didn't climb the 444 steps to the top as it was too hot and humid.

Cerro Santa Ana

Cerro Santa Ana

Las Penas


We walked back to the hotel and noticed that the Cathedral doors were open so we went in and took a look.  There were a few people in there so we had a look around and took some photos.  It is a modern church, built of concrete and was completed in 1948.

Guayaquil Cathedral

Guayaquil Cathedral

Stained Glass Window at Guayaquil Cathedral




We returned to the hotel, finished packing and checked out of the hotel and sat in the lounge area until our airport pick up at 2.00.

The Seminario Park from the hotel breakfast room.  Spot the iguanas!

We had to be sprayed with disinfectant before they would let us into the minibus to the airport.  At the airport we had to prove we were flying before we were let into the airport.  I only had an email from the travel company with the flight details on but fortunately they accepted this and let us through.  Check in was easy with no waiting and we got through immigration and security very quickly as well.  There were very few shops open and only one café but there were also only 2 flights.  Ours to Bogota and another to Miami.

In Bogota things were very well organised.  It is very busy and all seems to be normal.  We have been talking to an Irish couple who came to Colombia first intending to move to Ecuador but they were not allowed in.  They are now trying to get back via Miami.  They booked a flight but were refused check in because they were told they could not get out of the USA.  They had a worrying day but have now been told they can go on that flight but have to wait in Miami 3 days before they can get a flight to Heathrow and then another to Dublin.  They had tried to get on our flight but it is apparently full.  We are certainly very lucky and our Travel Company (Llama Travel) have certainly looked after us very well.

Our flight is showing on time so hopefully it will stay that way.


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