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ECUADORLINE |
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ECUADORLINE |
NEWSLETTER August 2005 |
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| Dear friends of Ecuador, |
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More quality of life in Quito's Old City The
colonial Old City in Quito has undergone a radical change during the last
few years. Significantly involved in the restructuring is the „Empresa de
Desarollo del Centro Histórico“ (ECH), a development company for
urban regeneration. Founded in 1994 with the intention to protect and beware
the historical heritage. The ECH instigates and realizes projects for the
reconstruction of the heart of Quito. Not only architectural aspects come
to the fore, but also social structures as well as cultural and historical
backgrounds. “Principal object is to integrate the needs of a modern society
in an existing surrounding and at the same time the conservation of the
characteristic attributes”, so Philipp Höppner, architect of the German
development cooperation, in an interview about the objectives and tasks
of the ECH. The aim is the assembly of all existent resources for developing
a harmonious townscape. Contemporaneous, the ECH is contact point for investors
and will exist until most of the projects are realised and the development
processes are shut off. 
Two years ago, the situation in the old town was quite unsafe and dangerous.
On the streets there was no getting through, by reason of the informal chandlers,
who made a living from market stands. Only a few tourists were visiting
the impressing churches and places. Especially for these traders, shopping
malls were built, which now can be found on every corner. The streets became
accessible, storefronts were painted and houses renovated. So the ambiance
on the streets changed for the better. Also the general safety was ameliorated,
firstly because of the armed presence of the police, but also by the clearer
situation on the streets. Furthermore, the infrastructure of the city centre
was improved. This was possible by creating parking sites. It is a real
simple act, but no Ecuadorian would go to the old town and pass his time
there, if there were no parking places. It is just the point that not only
tourists come to the city centre, but also the Ecuadorians themselves. If
they are interested in their capital, they come back one day and this is
the most important point. In the next few years, sidewalk cafes, bars and
restaurants, as well as sundry cultural happenings are planned, which bring
life back to the Centro Histórico.  The
work of the ECH is very complex and caught in a crossfire of influences.
It is important, that the thinking occurs in long dated, reasoned development
processes. Short time planned projects and campaigns haven’t any sense.
Only by working for a longer period of time a natural ambience can be evolved
in the city of Quito. In the next future the Old City will be marked by
a harmonious balance of tourists and locals, culture and consummation, monuments
and modern buildings. As touristy success of the „Empresa de Desarollo del Centro Histórico“, Philipp Höppner instances the Hotel Patio Andaluz, which is a progenitor for other projects. The hotel opened in 2003 and since then it offers all amenities in a comfortable ambience. Financed by borrow founds of the ECH, the Hotel Patio Andaluz was vested in private ownership by and by. Read more about the work of the ECH and visit their homepage or contact us for more information. Make your own image of the Ecuadorian capital and stay in the gorgeous Hotel Patio Andaluz. |
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New kind of tourism – ecotourism Continuing
with our new series about the different forms of tourism, this time we would
like to present you ecotourism. In Spanish “ecoturismo“ also means to go
on excursion in the natural environment. But besides this, ecotourism is
“responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and
sustains the well being of local people”, according to the Ecotourism Society.
Negative environmental impacts and socio-cultural changes are supposed to
be minimized by means of a responsible and environmental manner. This is
how the financing of biological reserves can be guaranteed in many cases.
The main aim is the use of resources without exploiting them. We can see the significance of this new way of sustainable tourism, due to the fact that the year of 2002 was declared as the “International year of Ecotourism” by the United Nations. Until today, possible positive effects are still being averted because of financial interests and the great demand for tourists. In Ecuador, ecotourism is a promising source of capital for the economical improvement of the many-sided country. However critics point out that areas that have been opened up for ecotourism always can become followed by mass tourism. 
There is also danger to many plants and animals that could be damaged by
eco-tourists in other regions. Furthermore the native people are afraid
of being interfered in their voice. Therefore the aware interest in new
cultures remains very important. Not only scientists but also NGOs say that
an ecological and responsible tourism is necessary. A non-polluting attitude
on the vacation spot is indispensable in order to preserve the unique natural
and cultural treasures of Ecuador for following generations. A special eco-touristy stay offers you the Nature Reserve Maquipucuna in the heart of the cloud forests. Like in paradise you might feel if you are keen on nature and also interested in ecotourism projects in the area. The nonprofit organization Maquipucuna Foundation has been working in sustainable use of its natural resources since 1988. Besides their research work and environmental training programs the participation of local communities is one of the main aims. Here you find further descriptions of the Maquipucuna Lodge. Would you also like to know more about ecotourism and other forms of tourism in Ecuador? Please ask us at any time, if you need help with planning your next trip to Ecuador. Economical federation of the Andean states The
Community of the Andes (Comunidad Andina, CAN) is the third biggest economical
federation of countries on the American continent after the NAFTA (North
American Free Trade Agreement whose members are the USA, Canada and Mexico)
and Mercosur (Mercado Común del Sur, Brasilia, Argentina, Paraguay,
Uruguay). Member of the CAN are the countries Ecuador, Bolivia, Colombia,
Peru and Venezuela. The process of development began in 1969 and resulted
in the foundation of the Comunidad Andina in 1997. Basic idea of the CAN
was the economical and social integration of those countries with the political
aim to create a common foreign policy. One of the most important economical aims is the fortification of the internal market until the end of 2005. To reach this, the introduction of common duties is necessary, which up to now only exists in rudiments and in the realisation of a corporate agricultural policy. Furthermore, approximate laws, like competition, protection of capital spending and double taxation are requested, as well as compliance with some convergence criteria (like the stability and increase pact of the EU). Not only trade goods should deal freely, but also the people of those states. Talking about the foreign relations, the CAN is planning a free trade agreement with the EU. This can only be realised, if the cooperation between the Andean states becomes stronger and safer. Because of the different conflicts between those countries, a free trade agreement with the EU seems to be very inconceivable in the next time. Giving and Taking – cultural exchange in Ecuador At
the beginning, most language students don’t really see the difference
between Chinese and Spanish! But after just a few Spanish lessons there
is a marked improvement in the student’s ability to communicate in
Spanish and it’s obvious that there is something different for sure.
In one-to-one lessons or in small groups the progress of learning is easy
and fun! Different activities, excursions and of course Salsa lessons are
the most common and shared experiences which are offered to students by
many language schools in Ecuador.
Visitors from foreign countries still are called “gringos“ in South America. "Gringo" comes from the phrase "green go home!" which Mexican people would say to green-uniformed North--American soldiers during times of war where they thought they should be out of their land. Today the term gringo stands for all foreigners in general. Although mostly used in a friendly purpose, local people rarely differ between Europeans, North-Americans or Asians. This example shows that the close contact between different cultures helps to promote mutual understanding. Therefore a cultural exchange is suited for abolishing prejudices and the fear of contact. Both sides develop an improved understanding and learn that the distinction is not too big. In host families the young visitors get to know the family life, the habits and point of views in the Ecuadorian everyday life. Also the host parents benefit from this cultural interaction because every occupant brings new stories and impressions from their home countries. In many cases, friendships develop that can last a lifetime. If you are interested in a language holiday in Quito or Manta, the APF Language School comes with our highest recommendation. APF will provide you with a top-quality Spanish education, and make all of the arrangements for your stay with a local Ecuadorian family. |
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COAST: Whales are coming – Whale watching in Ecuador Whales
have a special allurement on people and so it is not astonishing that the
attendance during the months from June until September is very high on the
Ecuadorian coast. During those months, whales are coming to the Ecuadorian
waters to have their procreation. Over the years, the number of visitors became larger and larger. With the increase of tourists, also the quantity of boats for whale watching has got more. Now the demand for national and international control is coming up. Organizers have to protect the big game in addition to the pure observation. Biologists are demanding for an unitary accolade for “whale kindly” boats. It is expected, that over nine million people worldwide are joining whale watching tours every year. Due to the whales, about one billion US – Dollars are realized annually. Knowing these dates, whale watching is more profitable than whaling. Thus, the touristy proposal contributes to the protection of the animals, if some rules are adhered. 
While whale watching, the tourists have to wait for the right point of time.
Whales have a perfect respiration system; some kinds of whales can stay
under water up to two hours. They only reach the water surface for ten minutes
and during this time you can participate in an expressing show. Now they
have their active time and offer acrobatic leaps outside the water. If you are interested in this unique spectacle, you have the possibility to pass your time in the Hotel Cabañas Balandra in Manta. This time we also have a special offer for you in the Hosteria LaBarquita which is about 15 kilometres away from Puerto Lopez. Please write us, if you need more information about the whales or the accommodation facilities. RAINFOREST: Hot air and brewing lava – the volcano Reventador is back! The
volcano Reventador that is getting active on and off is back. In the western
part of the city of Lago Agrio in the province of Sucumbíos, the
3562 meter high fire-breathing mountain is situated in the northern rainforest
of Ecuador. Within the last few weeks around 50 meter of hot lava flow ran
towards south every day. According to scientist there is no danger for surrounding
settlements and the flora and fauna in the area. Only the main road from
Baeza to Coca is threatened. If the stream of lava continues flowing, the
close situated pipeline and also two kilometer long street could be captured
by the red-hot flood. In the meanwhile five main lava rivers have been built which are cleaving continuously. The latest of the hot streams was formed this June, in April 2005 the other one was made up and the other three were shaped in 2004 and 2002. After the last big explosion in November 2002, the volcano seemed to calm down. But even experts can not predict how the volcano´ s future looks like, although the technical equipment in order to observe the bumpy fire-eater has been improved a lot within the last years. Regular research reports document the process of chemical reactions. Since May 2005, the composition of the magma has changed a lot. The more gas is inside of the magma the  more
explosive a volcanic eruption gets. If the released gases can not escape,
the gas pressure increases constantly. Due to the decreasing external pressure
the explosive force in the volcano rises until the magma explodes and the
rock breaks because of the high pressure. On the basis of the continuing eruptions there is put more effort in the awareness training in schools and also in medical supply in order to be prepared for a possible but improbable case of emergency in the close situated towns of El Reventador, La Libertad and San Rafael. The people in this region have been living with this threat for many decades, but they also complain about not receiving enough information about the situation from the government. Soon, the meeting of public authorities and some oil companies, working in the area, is supposed to be the first step to clarify the status quo and further measures. Almighty hot is not only the volcano Reventador in the Ecuadorian rainforest! There is more to see! Enjoy some tropical, adventurous days in one of our lodges (Kapawi Eco Lodge, Sacha Lodge, Casa del Suizo Lodge and the Yuturi Lodge) and discover the jungle life during a walk through the forest. We are happy to make bookings for you whenever you want! HIGHLANDS: The return of the lama to the páramo One
of the very special ecosystems of Ecuador offers the famous Páramo,
drawing through the Andes on an altitude of approximately 3,500 meter, with
more or less 12,500 km² forest area. If you are a friend of flora and
fauna, you will enjoy an experience of special character, when leaning back
in this impressive landscape. Besides countless bird species you can discover
different kind of plants which can be found only in this region. It is also
an excellent spot for trekking tours and other outdoor activities such as
mountain biking, horse riding or rock climbing.
The private company Tierra del Volcán not only commits itself to the the Páramo but also to eco- and adventure tourism. In teamwork with public authorities and the communities nearby Tierra del Volcán works in the Cotopaxi National Park in order to support the highland area in an ecological way. Besides environmental protection and sustainable development the organization focuses on environmental education and awareness training to inform the people in the communities about a better protection of their rich ecosystem and also about topics like reforestation or waste management.
If you are interested in the work of Tierra del Volcán and the natural treasures of the Páramo, please also consider their homepage! For further questions, please ask us! We also would like to recommend you some nice places to stay: Relax at the beautiful Hacienda El Porvenir or in the charming Hosteria Cuello de Luna and enjoy an unforgettable time. GALÁPAGOS: Prayers on Galápagos – the first settlers on San Cristóbal A
paradise for man and beast, inviting and mysterious in the same time. Far
away from every sin, you find heavenly peace and pleasant calmness on San
Cristóbal and the surrounding islands. This can also be found in
the little church, which belongs to the community of El Progreso on the
fifth biggest island of the archipelago. In 1869, the first settlers came
here and founded the village, in which more or less 500 people live today.
But it has not been only idyllic on this spot. A scary story is hidden behind
the scene which stays unforgettable until today. In the middle of the 19th century the island was used as a prison camp, because any attempt of escape due to the distance to the mainland seemed to be impossible. Working on sugar and coffee plantations the prisoners had to suffer under very hard conditions on the fields. After many years of cruelty and tortures one of the convicts murdered the tyrant Manuel Cobos during a revolt with a machete. His grave lies under a tree in El Progreso until today, the little church has been built after his epoch. Luckily the settlers could proof though the colonization of San Cristóbal in the following years that there is also a “human side” on the archipelago which is so rich in biodiversity.  Today
the dozy area around El Progreso is being used mainly for farming. Not far
away we find the capital of Galápagos, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. With
a population size of 8,000 people it is the second biggest town of the archipelago
after the city of Puerto Ayora. Also the tourist streams haven´ t reached
this spot and the easygoing and relaxed way of living is obvious. More oases
of silence can be offered by flora and fauna on San Crisóbal. On
the beach of Los Marinos for example countless seals enjoy the sunny day
without doing anything. A walkway leads to the Cerro de las Tijeretas, a
hill with several lookout points. Here you discover a beautiful view over
the island. Frigate birds nest here and fly in circles over the changing
vegetation. The young birds, being beginners in flying, learn how to make
it right. “Having a flight over the lovely scenery could make it perfect”,
might be what you think on such a heavenly place together with the wish
that time would pause for a moment. Do you feel like spending some days in paradise? More information about our recommendations on Galápagos you find here. |
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Tena – The gate to the jungle (by Gilles Schneider, Germany) You
leave from the terminal in Quito and about six hours later, you arrive in
Tena. The last bus departs at 6 p.m. in Quito if you want to travel over
night. For naturally being a bit late, it seemed as if we miss our bus. But we were lucky because the ticket seller offered us to follow the bus by taxi which he would pay. So we grabbed our belongings, entered the taxi and started the chase for the bus. It worked out, but it was a bit embarrassing to approve the picture of a typical “gringo”: having lot of money for following the bus in a taxi. But well, we were in the bus and that was the only thing that mattered. The journey is long and the closer you get to Tena the worse become the streets which can be problematical if you’re trying to sleep. If you catch the bus at 6 p.m., you arrive in Tena not until midnight. But even at this time of day the air is comfortable warm and not as humid as you would expect. If you already had chosen a hostal during the transport, you can catch a camionetta at the terminal and let yourself cart there. Normally you pay $ 1 – 1.5. We can recommend the Hostal Limoncocha 
which is lead by a German. It is clean and the price is between $ 4 – 6
apiece. The hostal also offers jungle- and rafting tours. Therefore, the hostal has its own guides which have all a license and the tours are cheaper than the ones you can book at the agencies in the city. The city is parted by the Tena river and both parts have their own flair. Along the river there are various cafes and restaurants situated. After we got a general idea of the city and the different offers on our first day, we booked a rafting tour for the second. This is a full-time tour which includes transport, the guides, lunch and equipment and it gives you a good impression of the indigenes life. The fee for the tour is US$ 40, so it was US$ 15 cheaper as the tours offered by the agencies in the city. The rafting tour was pure excitement. You become wet all over, but it’s really fun to go through the rapids which go up to white water class III. If you plan to go on a jungle tour, you should book it in Tena in order to save a lot of money. Nearly all of the guides in the agencies speak English and, of course, Spanish. |
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..., that the capital of Galápagos is called Puerto Baquerizo Moreno and has a population size of 8,000 habitants? ..., that the name “gringo” lasts from the demand „green go home!“ when Mexican people tried to run off North American invaders? …that the whales have different dialects which vary in several click sounds? Near to the Galápagos Islands, five clicks mean something like “Hello”. |
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ecuadorlineis a tourist information service about Ecuador. Many tourist enterprises support and finance our promotion and information job. Our main objective is to benefit the sponsor companies as well as the country itself.Our services: - Callcenter in Germany and delivery of information material free of charge - Route planning for individual travellers - Help with reservations - Information about hotels, lodges, haciendas, and cruises through Galápagos Islands - Suggestions for trips in Ecuador and useful links on our web site - Organisation of press trips - Photo archives Your suggestions to improve our Newsletter are welcomed. We also thank you for your comments about our web page. |
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| With best wishes from Quito, |
Top topic
A
new project of the communities deals with the resettlement of lamas and
the allied alpakas and vikunas. These useful animals originate from the
Páramo area, therefore they don´ t cause any damage to the
ecosystem. Having certain hooves, the highland habitants are equipped
with a special kind of plating on their feet which doesn’t destroy
the ground. In addition to that, their teeth are only able to cut short
grass without injuring any roots. Another bonus for the resettlement of
the lamas& co. to the Páramo is the cotton which is a huge
profit for the Ecuadorian textile market. 