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Our Lady of the Rosary gone extensive cleanup and beautification and today is recog- nized as a model for urban regeneration. Local authorities showed great creativity in reversing the blight by harnessing the skills of local graffiti artists. These artists were given the respon- sibility and funding to decorate and maintain selected public spaces. The resulting artwork has become a must-see compo- nent of any city cultural tour. Among Guayaquil’s many attractions is Santa Anna Hill with its charming and colorful houses. After climbing 444 steps, visitors have access to many intriguing restaurants, shops and art galleries. Following an interesting afternoon of sightseeing, our group headed north along the Ecuadorian coastline some 125 miles to Bahia de Caraquez where we spent a few days enjoying fasci- nating activities such as a canoe trip through a tropical rainfor- est, a visit to Chirije, an ancient seaport from 500 BC - 500 AD and one of the most important archaeological sites of coastal Ecuador, and a boat excursion to view the whales who annual- ly swim to the region all the way from Antarctica. While in Bahia de Caraquez, we stayed at the very fine CasaGrande Oceanfront Guesthouse http://www.chirije.com/casa- grande.html where we enjoyed excellent local delicacies pre- pared and served family style. Our next stop was the capital city of Quito. Although the city straddles the equator and is only 200 miles from the tropical coastline, the high altitude of the Andes created a dramatically cooler environment where jackets and sweaters were a must, especially in the evenings. It was amazing to experience such a wide range of climates in close proximity within one country. At an elevation of 9,350 ft., amidst a volcanic region of the Andes Mountains, the historically rich and beautiful Quito is the second highest capital city in the world. Many of its elegant mansions and ornate churches date back several centuries. The city has 40 churches and chapels, 16 convents and monasteries with their respective cloisters. A city tour on our first day in Quito took our group to Santo Domingo, a beautiful Dominican cathedral that was erected in the 16th century. Within the church there is a separate chapel dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary. Both the chapel and the cathedral are fine- ly decorated with elaborate and beautiful alter pieces, golden figures, statues and paintings. Quito is a cosmopolitan city that offers a range of hotel accommodations that can meet the most discriminating requirements. Our tour group enjoyed three days of excellent accommodations at the JW Marriott Quito http://www.mar- riott.com/hotels/travel/uiodt-jw-marriott-hotel-quito, an 11- floor luxury hotel featuring spacious rooms with scenic views of the city. The Marriott offers 241 rooms, 16 suites, 16 meeting rooms and 109,000 sq ft. of meeting space. Quito also features an impressive array of guesthouses and villas. One of the most desirable of these is the exotic Hacienda Rumiloma http://haciendarumiloma.com/html/en/hacienda- .html, a magical oasis of rustic luxury overlooking Quito, Ecuador. This charming hacienda is situated in nearly one hun- dred acres of primary and secondary Andean forest on the side of the Volcano Pichincha. Our group had an opportunity to enjoy the Ecuadorian-style fusion cuisine featured at the Rumiloma’s outstanding restaurant. Because the Quito is located high in the Andes, no visit to the city is complete without enjoying a Teleferico cable car excur- sion. This literally breathtaking ride high into the thin mountain air gives every visitor a spectacular view of the city and its sur- roundings including more than 14 peaks of the Andes that is called the Volcanoes Avenue. The Teleferico reaches 4,050 meters on the summit of Cruz Loma. Visiting Ecuador for TravelMart Latin America 2008 was a truly memorable experience. The Middle of the World offers a wide array of climates, activities and experiences that is rarely found within a single country. Ecuador is a truly outstanding destination whether for business or leisure. Direct questions or comments to Bill Herbert at wgh8089@earthlink.net, or through Black Meetings and Tourism Magazine Continued on page 21 Black Meetings & Tourism July/August 2010: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 19