Baños de Agua Santa EcuadorBaños de Agua Santa is located in a valley with waterfalls and hot springs next to the Tungurahua volcano with a height of 5,016 meters, only 180 km from Quito and 35 km from Ambato. The city is surrounded by beautiful rivers including the spectacular Rio Pastaza that serves as the setting for adventure sports.Baños de Agua Santa, a paradise, is the gateway to the Ecuadorian Amazon, with lush vegetation worthy of admiration of all who visit this beautiful town.

Baños has an altitude of 1,826 meters and has an average temperature of 20 ° C. The city invites you to relax in thermal pools and spas, adventure for the whole family or extreme sports such as rafting, climbing, canyoning, trekking or jump swing.

Baños has incredible attractions, the principal, the Tungurahua volcano, the majesty of this mountain encouraged mountaineering enthusiasts of all countries to conquer its summit, now the volcano is in eruption process which is reason for visiting many tourists who are attracted by the beautiful spectacle, especially at night.

Few cities have the grace to have unique landscapes of unique beauty, which combines the 4 natural elements fire in the belly of the volcano Tungurahua, wind currents blowing from the Amazon, Water, breathtaking waterfalls, rivers and hot springs and earth, of the most generous Bathrooms have made a powerhouse ecotourism destination and ideal for rest and relaxation.

The hot water pools, is another attraction of the city, and for those who enjoy adventure, a tour of the Falls Road, will enjoy the natural beauty, in which water is the undisputed star . More than 60 are the waterfalls that you can visit, among them include that of Agnes Mary of Pailón del Diablo or Mantle of the Bride, which are three of the most visited in the area.

Main tourist attractions in Baños de Agua Santa

Basilica de la Reina del Rosario de Agua SantaThose who visit Baños de Agua Santa, can not leave without visiting the Basilica de la Reina del Rosario de Agua Santa, no doubt for all the inhabitants of Baños, is the most important architectural infrastructure of the county, this artistic work defied time and history and it was in 1944 when construction was finally completed. The Virgen de Agua Santa is attributed many miracles, his devotees have witnessed through hundreds of offerings found inside the Sanctuary.

El Pailon del Diablo waterfallThe Pailón del Diablos is a huge waterfall, located 30 minutes from the town of Baños, on the road to Puyo (Pastaza), in Rio Verde. Considered one of the biggest attractions in the area, his name is similar to the formation of a pan and also when viewed from the suspension bridge can be seen in the rock face of the devil.

Manto de la Novia waterfallIn the Manto de la Novia will find the harmonious sound of nature, lush vegetation and crystal clear water that gives this beautiful waterfall. Located 12 km from Baños, before Green River is the ideal place to take a break and get away from the routine of the city. It is the only waterfall in the country located in the urban area and can be seen from anywhere in the city, next to this are the thermas of the Virgin.

Machay waterfallThe Machay is the most remote waterfall of the route of the cascades and it can reached by bus or bicycle that you can rent in town. The Cascade, 45 meters high, is reached by descending some stairs and following a path with a diverse flora and fauna.

Quito EcuadorBesides its amazing landscapes, Quito is known for its treasures of colonial churches, paintings, sculptures and carvings. The Spanish Colonial Period extends from the XVI to the XVIII Century. Ecuadorian colonial art combines the European Renaissance and Baroque styles with the indigenous and mestizo influences. With the arrival of the Spaniards, the Roman Catholic Church became the center of the religious instruction and the largest patron of the arts. As part of the acculturation of the indigenous people, the Spanish established painting and sculpture schools where Spanish artists trained the indigenous population in the arts. As a result the Quitenian School, became famous in Latin America for its talented artists, including Bernardo de Legarda and the indigenous artists Caspicara and Pampite. Miguel de Santiago, Javier de Goribar , Manuel Samaniego and Padre Bedon were other outstanding representatives of this art school. Scholars consider their contributions to colonial art as some of the most valuable in America. Thus, the UNESCO declared Quito a “World Cultural Heritage Site” in 1978.However, the history of Quito stretches far beyond the arrival of Spaniards. Before the Spanish Sebastian de Benalcázar conquered the city in 1534, the Incas conquered it in the XV century. At the time when the

Incas came, they found an organized civilization: the Shyris Futhermore, recent discoveries have uncovered archeological sites that date back to 1500 BC. These archeological remains are aligned with the summer solstice and the winter equinox, demonstrating that the native people have an impressive knowledge of the course of the sun. These cultures are believed to have migrated from Ecuadorian Coast.

Quisat-to, the original name of the city, means “middle of the Earth” in the ancient “tsafiqui” language. Quito is the only site on the planet where the Equator crosses over highlands. On the rest of the Earth’s surfaces crosses through jungle or ocean. Therefore, the pre-Inca cultures could develop their astronomical knowledge aided by the clear landmarks surrounding the city: the Pichincha volcano (15.000 ft) to the west, the Antisana (18,700ft) to the east, and the peak of the snow-capped Cayambe (18,725 ft) to the northeast, almost precisely on the Equator. The city itself emerges over 9,184 it above sea level; it is the second highest capital in the world. Thus, Quito could be considered the best natural astronomical observatory.

Quito extends along the Eastern side of the Pichincha volcano. The city is long and thin, with a length of aprox. 22 miles and a width of 2-3 miles. The temperature in the city varies along the day, in the early morning and a night it can be at 10ºC, and at noon it can reach up to 25ºC. The geographical conditions of the zone give place to a number of ecosystems, thus. Quito’s surroundings offer a diversity of landscapes, each with unique flora and fauna.

La MariscalLa Mariscal can be considered the entertainment district of Quito, where you find a variety of restaurants, bars, cafes, internet cafes, Spanish schools and a large range of hosting options. Plaza El Quinde (Reina Victoria and Foch) is one of the most popular meeting points for both Ecuadorians and tourists. Every Wednesday night at 20h30 live music presentations take place at this charming Plaza.

The Mercado Artesanal (handicraft market) offers a variety of handicrafts from all over the country for excellent prices, displayed in more than 100 colorful stands. If you are not able to visit the Otavalo indigenous market at the Imbabura province, this market in Quito is a must. It is located at Jorge Washingto St. between Reina Victoria and Juan Leon Mera.

Guayaquil EcuadorGuayaquil, officially Santiago de Guayaquil, is the largest and the most populous city in Ecuador, and the capital of Guayas province. Located on the Pacific coast, it has a tropical climate, and is known as the “Pacific Pearl”. It is the main port of Ecuador, thus, it is of great economic importance to the country. The city was named after an Indigenous Chief, “Guayas”, and his wife “Quil”. Both of them chose to die before surrendering themselves to the Spaniards.Francisco de Orellana founded Guayaquil on the skirts of the Santa Ana Hill on July 25th, 1534. On the top of this hill you can see observe canons that were used to defend the city from pirate attacks. Few houses preserve their original architecture, with defense walls facing the river. Many of these houses were built at different levels on the hill, very common for the Spaniards and Portuguese. The surroundings of the city offer archeological sites of the pre-Hispanic cultures of Valdivia, Machalilla, Chorrera, Guangala and

Manteña. The gulf of Guayaquil, the river, the monuments, museums, parks, and its exhilarating nightlife are part of this city.

Guayaquil is located on the western bank of the Guayas River, which flows into the Pacific Ocean at the Gulf of Guayaquil. Because of its location, the city is the center of Ecuador's business and manufacturing industries.

Main tourist attractions in Guayaquil

The Malecón 2000:  Spanning 2 1/2 km.  along Rio Guayas, the grand-scale urban regeneration project known as the Malecon 2000 is the Guayaquil’s main attraction.  It will be a symbolic centre of the city, a mix of green areas and shopping. The tall ship Guayas has its home base here.The Palacio Municipal: Considered to be the architectural jewel of Guayaquil, it is located in front of the Malecón and holds the political offices of city and provincial officials. Built in a neoclassical style, it is considered one of the most important architectural works in the country.  Next to City Hall is the Governor's Office Building, built in 1924 totally refurbished and maintained with the original facade.Las Peñas:  Is a neighbourhood in the northeast corner of the city centre; is the artistic centre of the city. Many of the area's 400-year-old houses have been converted into art galleries and several notable artists have studios in the area. The colonial architecture has not been restored per se, but it has been well looked after, and the elegantly decaying wooden houses are interesting to see.Historic Park: A natural habitat of mangrove trees, the fresh waters of the Daule River, and the tropical climate of the place are the perfect setting to bring the past back to life in this 20 acre park. In a one day visit one can encounter the fauna and flora of the region in the "wildlife zone", the history, cultural manifestations and rural life in the "traditions zone", and the "urban architectonic zone", which holds original pieces from Guayaquil’s antique architecture destroyed by some fires in the XIXth century, to bring back to life what the city once was.Parque Centenario:  This is Guayaquil’s largest plaza, covering four city blocks and featuring several monuments. The most important monument is the great central column topped by Liberty and surrounded by the founding father of the country – a monument to patriotism.City Cementery: This dazzling white cemetery contains hundreds of tombs, monuments and huge mausoleums. A walk, lined with palm trees, leads to the impressive grave of President Vicente Rocafuerte.Parque Seminario:  With the alternate aliases of Parque de Las Iguanas or Iguana Park, this attractions is commonly known by what it contains-loads of iguanas.  Some up to 1 ½ long, the scaled reptiles pace the walkways climb the tress, gobble vegetation and bananas kindly provided by fascinated children, and pose for the cameras.

Cuenca EcuadorWhen it comes to colonial charm, Cuenca arguably reigns supreme in Ecuador. Its narrow cobblestone streets and whitewashed red-tiled buildings, handsome plazas and domed churches, and its setting above the grassy banks of the Río Tomebamba, where women still wash and dry clothes in the sun, all add up to a city that’s definitely one of Ecuador’s highlights.

Ecuador’s third-largest city, Cuenca has a strong intellectual tradition, boasting three major universities and several smaller ones. With its large student population and popularity with foreigners, the city also has a modern edge, with international restaurants art galleries, cool cafes and welcoming bars all tucked into its colonial architecture. Cuenca’s location in one of the country’s most traditional regions also bestows the city with a very strong indigenous presence.

Cuenca is an important crafts outlet and stands at the center of the panama hat trade, so the shopping is excellent. It’s also a good base for visiting nearby Parque Nacional Cajas, local hot springs, villages and markets, and the Inca ruins of Ingapirca. Try not to miss the place, and allow yourself at least a couple days for some leisurely exploration.

Main tourist attractions in Cuenca

Cuenca ChurchesFour blocks east of Museo de las Conceptas, is where colonial Cuenca’s boundary used to lie, marked by the Church and Plaza of San Blas. Originally built in the late 16th century, the small colonial church has since been replaced by an early 20th – century building. The modern church is one of the city’s largest and is the only one in Cuenca built in the form of a Latin cross.

The republican Church of San Cenáculo, looks very bare in contrast to the opulent churches of Quito. After San Cenáculo, head north for one block and continue into the center along Gran Colombia, the main handicraft and shopping street in Cuenca. Soon, you pass the Church of Santo Domingo on your left, which has some fine carve wooden doors and colonial paintings inside. Although it looks older, the church was built in the early 20th century. In the next few blocks, you pass several stores selling a variety of handicrafts. The Calderon Park is only few blocks to the south.

Inca RuinsWalking down Calle Larga along the river you come to some small Inca ruins beside the Tomebamba river. There are some fine niches and walls, but most of the stonework was destroyed to build colonial buildings. There are a few explanatory signs in Spanish. On the Calle Larga side of the ruins is a small museum, which costs a few cents to visit.

Cajas National ParkOnly 19 miles from Cuenca rests one of the most beautiful national parks in Ecuador, Cajas National Park. Ranging from 9,000 to 13,000 ft, there are ample opportunities for camping, fishing and hiking. There are over 230 glacial lagoons an substantial flora - Only 19 miles from Cuenca rests one of the most beautiful national parks in Ecuador.

ChordelegThis town has many stores selling crafts – it is known as a jewelry center throughout Ecuador. If you’re shopping for souvenirs or gifts, you can choose from gold and silver filigree jewelry, as well as a small selection of wood carvings, pottery, textiles, panama hats and embroidered clothing.

Salinas EcuadorSalinas is located at the westernmost tip of the Santa Elena province, at 141 Kilometers (88 miles) from Guayaquil city, and it is certainly a great place to see and enjoy. Salinas is called this way because salt is extracted from the region.

The city was discovered on 1520, many men were acquiring this event. Francisco Pizarro, a Spanish conquistador was who discovered Salinas but this city was own for Spanish. After Simon Bolivar and Antonio Jose de Sucre fight by independence of Ecuador. Finally on April 27, 1830 Bolivar relinquished his power, the countries separated.

Salinas is a relatively small town. The beach is divided almost perfectly in half by a jetty where you'll find the docks of the Salinas Yacht Club. The sandy half-moon bay on the north side, where the abundance of action takes place, is Salinas Beach. To the south is Chipipe Beach, quieter and more family oriented.

The weather in Salinas has great temperatures all year round. It has an average temperature of 24º C (80º F), known for its beaches and weather all year round. The best time to hit the beaches is from December to May.

Salinas is well know for the sport fishing and whales observation, also you can enjoy along the Spondylus Route, fill with kilometers of beaches and a very pleasant climate the whole year. After enjoying Sandy Moon Bay, you can also explore Chipipe which is the second main beach in Salinas.

On the Malecon, you can visit the the Naval Archeological Musen. This small museum displays the vast archeological richness of the pre-Hispanic Cultures that inhabited this region. The museum also displays a representation of the antique "balsas" made of the wood of the same name, with great cotton sails that impressed the Spaniards because the traveled long distances. There you also can view coins from te Spanish conquest, and some pieces from the "Lady Captain! galleon that sank in 1664.

The boardwalk found in Salinas is a venue that proffers fun and entertainment during the day times and night times. In the evenings, open markets function in both the areas of the beach where the visitor can hope to find coral jewelry, handicrafts, specialized shell crafts, and dyed clothing art that are multicolored and thus enabling a lovely shopping spree.

Gastronomical delights that are a regular feature of the various restaurants along this coast and also in Salina have to be sampled to appreciate and savor the delicious tasty dishes.

Every year on the beach in Salinas, organize international regattas and world championships fishing. For the practice of this activity, Salinas is a place chosen for competition in the international arena because its waters are abundant in all kinds of fish like billfish coveted black, blue, striped, swordfish, tuna, dorado, among others.

ChipipeThe Chipipe Beach is also a significant crowd puller, which is found adjacent to the harbor and is known for the exciting waves that aid body boarding or the Mori Boogi boarding amid a pleasant environment.

Recognized worldwide for its clear waters and transparent, and peaceful are the delight of the little ones, who in the immensity of the sea have a place to play without risk of being washed ashore.

Chipipe Beach is part of the life zone tropical dry forest along the beach are coconut palms. On the beach you can see crabs, shells, pelicans, blue footed boobies and the flight of seagulls.

Loja EcuadorThis city is the capital of the Province of the same name, and is situated some 270 miles S.S.W. of Quito, in the valley of Cuxibamba. Loja was founded by the Spanish captain Alonso de Mercadillo on December 8, 1548, meaning it’s one of the oldest towns in Ecuador. Although few of its original buildings survive, the city has some lovely 18th century architecture.

Loja is crossed by two rivers: Malacatos and Zamora, which give a unique personality to the city. It is one of the cleanest and safest cities in Ecuador.

The city has old streets, plazas, churches and monasteries of the colonial era, such as the Cathedral and the Santo Domingo, San Francisco and San Sebastian churches.

Most of the people in Loja are extremely religious. It is common to find religious processions at the Main Plaza, or sometimes even popular bands and fireworks.

Loja has a great past that important fact for Ecuador and the Americas. Here is the big raids organized exploration of the Amazon in search of gold, was planned advanced Bolivarian independence movement, as well as great feats of political and social history of the country.

The city has two universities, a music conservatory and a law school.

Loja is a city that serves as a model for other cities in Ecuador, here you can do all kinds of tourism, from the urban, cultural, religious, adventure, ecotourism, gastronomy to health, one of the most important Tourism is its beauty Jipiro Recreational Park.

Main tourist attractions in Loja

Jipiro Recreational ParkEl Parque Recreacional Jipiro has an area of more than 10 hectares, which were donated by the Marist Brothers. The park contains a mosaic of mirrors and cultures that has been identified as a place where culture is represented and the most outstanding architecture in the world.

In Jipiro Park can be seen as exploiting human creativity flora, fauna and architecture of several civilizations, to provide a welcoming park with boating lake, swans, ducks, stage events, boats, bars, restaurants, tennis and spaces camping.

Lojanidad Archeological MuseumLocated on the grounds of the Universidad Tecnica Particular de Loja, this museum was created to rescue and promote culture and Ecuador Loja. On November 9, 2004 opened its doors to the public, its rooms can see a collection of tools and utensils of 1600 original pieces of Ecuadorian archeology in correlation with the element of "Lojanidad" very typical of the city and province of Loja.

Podocarpus National ParkEcuador's southernmost, the national park encompasses the best of the country's, various climates and presents them in all their glory to its visitors. In the high zone, layer upon layer of rolling mist flows through the deep forest, and kilometers of ridge-side paths traverse the vibrant ecosystem. Meanwhile butterflies, leafcutter ants, and all manner of the other animal and plant life crowd the trails in the low zone, a primary tropical rainforest along Bombuscaro River.

The San Francisco Cloud Forest in the northeaster part of the park protects an important community of grand, old Podocarpus trees. The park contains an abundance of water, with numerous falls and places to swim.

Machala Ecuador

The capital of the province of El Oro, Machala, is also known as the "World Capital of Bananas", located south of Ecuador, is one of the most important development centers of the country. Has a unique landscape for the enjoyment of the thousands of visitors who see a tourist Machala for its beautiful parks, streets and friendly people machaleño.

Each year in Machala, is performed International Banana Festival during the third week of September, here will elect the Queen of Banana, among participants who come from different Latin American countries.

Machala relies its economy mainly on agriculture. Its main products are: bananas, coffee and cocoa. The banana industry is particularly export-oriented, and plays an important role in the economy of the city. Bananas are shipped from the nearby Puerto Bolivar, mainly to North America. geographical position of Machala, near Guayaquil also makes it an important transportation center. Many travelers to the south or the north of Peru to Guayaquil funnel through the city.

Machala offers its visitors many attractions: The Island Jambelí with its sunny beaches surrounded by mangroves, the Isla del Amor, an ecological island inhabited by sea birds that come there to nest (pelicans, frigate birds, egrets, gray herons) Santa Clara Island, a haven for seabirds (blue-footed boobies, frigates, pelicans) where you can also enjoy the wonderful spectacle of passing whales and dolphins in the months of June to October.

On the main road to Machala, southeast of the city, stands the statue of El Bananero, a man carrying a large branch of bananas. This is Machala's most telling monument.

Main tourist attractions in Machala

Juan Montalvo ParkJuan Montalvo Central Park offers visitors a beautiful view adorned with three pools, framed by an elegant church surrounded by impressive buildings, including City Hall. The park is becoming a place of recreation for children, youth and adults seeking a time for leisure and admire the natural beauty that surrounds it.

Puerto BolivarLocated 7 km from Machala city, Puerto Bolivar is quite an attractive place to spend a few hours. Not only will you be able to see the shrimp and banana trade in action, but there are numerous harbor restaurants where you will be able to enjoy good food while you look out at the protective and natural mangrove swamps surrounding the harbor.

Jambeli IslandJambeli is located 35 minutes by boat from Puerto Bolivar, travel becomes a thrilling adventure, watching the beautiful landscape, variety of birds and mangroves in the area. Jambelí is the open sea beach of the archipelago's largest and most populous, has several restaurants, lodging, recreation and water sports. You can also visit the marine museum Geo-Mer.

Isla del AmorLocated five minutes by boat from Puerto Bolivar visit is a great experience for nature lovers and ideal for an ornithologist, and it has a great variety of birds, hence its name, the birds nest and breed in this island.

Bosque Petrificado de PuyangoPuyango Petrified Forest is a Natural Reserve, located along the river Puyango, which divides the provinces of El Oro and Loja, 111 km from the city of Machala and 225 km from the city of Loja. Its main attraction is fossilized tree trunks that have an approximate age of 100 million years and is the largest collection of petrified wood in the world, the largest specimen is 2 m in diameter and 15 m long.

first weekIndependent work practiceVerb Tense Exercise 2Simple Present / Present ContinuousCorrect! Well done.Your score is 99%.A Trekking Journal

November 12, 1997

Today (be) is the second day of my trek around Mount Annapurna. I am exhausted and

my legs (shake) are shaking; I just hope I am able to complete the trek. My feet (kill, really)are really killing me and my toes (bleed) are bleeding, but I (want, still) still want to continue.

Nepal is a fascinating country, but I have a great deal to learn. Everything (be) is so different, and I (try) am trying to adapt to the new way of life here. I (learn) am learninga little bit of the language to make communication easier; unfortunately, I (learn, not) don't learn foreign languages quickly. Although I (understand, not) don't understand much yet, I believe that I (improve, gradually) am gradually improving.

I (travel, currently) am currently traveling with Liam, a student from Leeds University in England. He (be) is a nice guy, but impatient. He (walk, always) always walks ahead of me and (complain) complaining that I am too slow. I (do) am doing my best to keep up with him, but he is younger and stronger than I am. Maybe, I am just feeling sorry for myself because I am getting old.

Right now, Liam (sit) is sitting with the owner of the inn. They (discuss) are discussingthe differences between life in England and life in Nepal. I (know, not) don't know the real name of the owner, but everybody (call, just) just calls him Tam. Tam (speak) speaksEnglish very well and he (try) is trying to teach Liam some words in Nepali. Every time Tam (say) says a new word, Liam (try) tries to repeat it. Unfortunately, Liam (seem, also)also seems to have difficulty learning foreign languages. I just hope we don't get lost and have to ask for directions.

Verb Tense Exercise 7Present Perfect / Present Perfect ContinuousCorrect! Well done.Your score is 100%.Robin: I think the waiter (forget) has forgotten us. We (wait) have been waiting here for over half an hour and nobody (take) has taken our order yet. 

Michele: I think you're right. He (walk) has walked by us at least twenty times. He probably thinks we (order, already) have already ordered. 

Robin: Look at that couple over there, they (be, only) have only been here for five or ten minutes and they already have their food. 

Michele: He must realize we (order, not) haven't ordered yet! We (sit) have been sittinghere for over half an hour staring at him. 

Robin: I don't know if he (notice, even) has even noticed us. He (run) has been runningfrom table to table taking orders and serving food. 

Michele: That's true, and he (look, not) hasn't looked in our direction once.

Verb Tense Exercise 18Will / Be Going To

Correct! Well done.Your score is 87%.

1.      A: Why are you holding a piece of paper? B: I (write) am going to write a letter to my friends back home in Texas. 

2. A: I'm about to fall asleep. I need to wake up! B: I (get) will get you a cup of coffee. That will wake you up. 

3. A: I can't hear the television! B: I (turn) will turn it up so you can hear it. 

4. We are so excited about our trip next month to France. We (visit) are going to visitParis, Nice and Grenoble.

5. Sarah (come) is going to come to the party. Oliver (be) will be there as well. 

6. Ted: It is so hot in here! Sarah: I (turn) will turn the air-conditioning on. 

7. I think he (be) will be the next President of the United States. 

8. After I graduate, I (attend) am going to attend medical school and become a doctor. I have wanted to be a doctor all my life.

9. A: Excuse me, I need to talk to someone about our hotel room. I am afraid it is simply too small for four people. B: That man at the service counter (help) will help you. 

10. As soon as the weather clears up, we (walk) are going to walk down to the beach and go swimming.Publicado por vanessa en 10:16 No hay comentarios: Enviar por correo electrónicoEscribe un blogCompartir con TwitterCompartir con FacebookCompartir en Pinterest

profile28/07/2011English level 6    teacher: Javier SalazarProfile: Vanessa VillamilI am Vanessa, I am studying audiovisual communication in the Sabana University, I am in third semester, I have 21 years old not so old not so old I am in the middle, I speak Spanish and a little bit English, I don’t like very much the languages so if is not necessary learn other languages I don’t learn it, I am happily single, I born in Bogota July 3 in 1990, I am in Bogota all my life.I love practice tennis it is my favorite sport but I have other sport that are volleyball, but is not formal, tennis makes me crazy, the other thing that I like is the drums I really love it, is my favorite instrument, I love the kids channel like “Disney XD” or “Disney channel” and “nickelodeon” and other channels like “History” or “animal planet”, this is the reason that I study audiovisual communication.

I have one brother and I live with my mom only because my brother has a job in Miami so it is difficult to travel there, in this moment I don’t know in what thing I like to specialize but I am thinking about in technology like animation or something like that.