The Crepeau Family: Feliz Navidad 2015: Ecuador

As some of you may know, Phil's parents are on sabbatical in Ecuador. So Christmas 2015 was definitely filled with Latin flare.

We had so much planned and hardly enough time to do it. We landed in Quito super late, so we immediately drove to the hotel. Let me tell you, waking up the next day to this view (especially when it was snowing back home), not bad.

Welcome to Quito

We had a traditional breakfast too. Which I highly recommend. The juice and hot chocolate were my absolute favorite parts.

Breakfast Food=Happiness

After fueling up, it was time to explore. And what a beautiful city! We got to see the Mitad del Mundo monument, so many gorgeous churches, El Panecillo, and walk around this gorgeous city. South America has my heart, so I was loving every second of it.

The Center of the Earth

This is How Ecuador Does Benches

Too Cool for School

Kissing Over the Equator

All Decorated for Christmas

Prepare for Llama Overload

We Named Him Choncho

Mitad del Mundo

El Panecillo

Overlooking the City

Those Cathedrals Though

Contraband Picture Inside the Cathedral

Stained Glass Love

Later that evening, we caught a flight from Quito down to Guayaquil, where my in-laws are living. Hotter, more humid, but so gorgeous!

Orchid Love

Airport Flowers

And these were just at the airport. Since it was so late when we landed, we headed straight home, ordered dinner, and all crashed.

Waking up and sitting on the porch the next day was wonderful. This is the little plaza outside my in-laws' apartment. I mean...

Mini-Paradise

Christmas Eve was fantastic. Since we were headed to Peru the day after Christmas, we only had that day to get to know Guayaquil. We took a walk on the Malecón (the boardwalk overlooking the Guayas River), hung out at the Iguana Park, visited the Catedral Metropolitana de Guayaquil, and perused local shops.

Striking a ~~Bargain~~ Pose

Nativities Everywhere!

Mini Dinosaurs

Catedral Metropolitana de Guayaquil

Beautiful Architecture

From the Outside

That night, we were invited to the local ward party. In true Latin American fashion, the party didn't start until 10 PM. And we ate, and ate, and ate, and ate. I have to say, this was one of the highlights of Ecuador for me. It reminded me so much of my mission and the amazing members in Brasil. There was also a beautiful devotional on the true meaning of Christmas. I felt so blessed to know that, even halfway around the world, I was surrounded by people who also celebrated the birth of our Savior.

Christmas Eve Feast

Christmas Eve Devo

Guayaquil Temple

Needless to say, we arrived exhausted (around 1 in the morning) and slept well until Christmas morning. Christmas was a low-key affair, which is what we all needed after traveling and several days of exploring. I have to say though, our llama tree was fantastic.