Ursula, that tiny Pleurothallis cordata is so beautiful!!! swoon.......................

Talk about orchid overload! What an amazing trip! Thank you for sharing with us!!!!

Thank you so much, and I am now setting out to learn Spanish so I can go and see the orchids in the wild.

I thank all of you reading along with me!

Pleurothallis is a cutie, I agree.

Elaine, our guide spoke English nicely.....

Just wonderful, Ursula. I am especially intrested because I spent a lot of time in Quito and the surrounding area back during my working days and your photos bring back many memories. If I remember correctly, Quito is the second highest capital city in the world at 9,500 feet above sea level. ( La Paz, Bolivia, is the highest). It is always cool there in spite of latitude. I think I could live in Ecuador. Thanks so much for sharing.

I'm so happy to hear from our friend Janice!

Jim

Hi Jim!

Glad to "see" you, as well!

Can't wait to see the photos of your trip!!!

I will go over to the thread and take a stroll through your beautiful gardens .....

PS How did that Vanda do?

I am happy my trip report brings you two together again here on the forum!

Thanks Jim @hawkarica! I am glad you enjoyed it!
I m curious, how were the roads at the time you lived there? And did you see Jesuit church in Quito? We were not allowed to take pictures inside, but this one was jaw-droppingly amazing with everything covered in Gold. We have seen some fancy churches in South America - mostly clad in Silver, but this one was the richest we have ever seen.
And - you would have loved Omar's Garden! This fellow really loved Palms and it showed!

Wow, what an expedition!

Yes, it was!
We are still reminiscing about it!

Well that was just a fabulous virtual tour. Thank you Ursula. I have been to Ecuador but I did not take photos in those days. I always believed memory was the best camera. Now I have forgotten why.

Glen, I am so happy you enjoyed this!! Klaus and I still talk about this trip!! We learned so much and had fun!

Ursula, I just went through this trip again and enjoyed it just as much as the first time. To think I lived down there for 8 years and never cared a wit about orchids. Live and learn.

Jim

Jim, now you would surely see it with a different eye!

Ursula, thanks so much for suggesting I go back to this thread (I don't know how I missed it the first time round)

The Sobralia growing in their native habitat is just amazing! And now I realize why I wouldn't be able to grow them with success.
Seeing ALL of the orchids in their native habitat is breathtaking!

The "arm chair" tour was really fun, and a great learning experience!
So much!

I certainly would never do those Sobralias justice!

I just enjoyed going through this again! It has been a long time. My Sobralias do fine here, in part sun. We do get a lot of moisture at night through much of the year, but at this time through Nov. days will be 80s and above, most likely. Of course these are hybrids. 92 today and more tomorrow.

Very neat Ursula !! Love this thread...What a beautiful place..The wife and I are finally getting to the stage in life where we can start doing some traveling..This looks like my kind of place !! Jungle,Flowers and Trout sounds like a win win to me !!!

I am glad you enjoyed it! We thought it was awesome, we saw a lot and learned a lot!