TRAINS, (BOATS AND PLANES) BUT MOSTLY TREN CRUCERO

The Ice Merchant at Urbina

Back from my cloud forest fun ( 9 types of hummingbirds, two ocelots, a a couple of Tamari's, butterflies, orchids, bromeliads and much more), I am back in Quito for one night. 

Next day off through the Avenue of the Volcanoes (27 in total) for a ride along the spine of the Andes to a small rail station in Urbina, Ecuador, at an elevation of about 13,000 ft.

Tren Crucero is the dream that became reality for Ecuador's President, Rafael Correa.  Years ago, like most South American countries, trains were the main transportation system to get from one city to the next.  In the early 21st century, roads and cars took over, leaving the trains for transport of cargo and goods.  With the influx of airports and planes, the old trains struggled to survive.  They became almost obsolete in the late 1900's and by this century, trains were used by tourists for excursions from one point to another.  They were not very pretty and  served a definite purpose.

Here in Ecuador, a little train existed called the Chiva Express where you could even ride on the top of the rail car for an exciting ride down the side of a cliff called the Devil's Nose.  That was lots of tourist fun until there were some bad accidents and the government decided that it would shut down this not so lucrative adventure due to the safety issues.  

In late 2010, Ecuador began a  new venture to put this little country on the big tourist map of South America along with Peru, Argentina and Chile.  Correa loving the history of his little country, decided that he would invest a lot of tourism dollars in several projects, among which was Tren Crucero.

In June of this year, Tren Crucero took its first trip from Quito to Guayaquil, the main port city of Ecuador.   The refurbished rail cars, have dining tables, a bar car, several lounge cars and great observation car at the rear of the train.  

 

The 4 day journey makes stops along the way at interesting points of interest and then buses guests to overnight stays at nearby haciendas, and quaint hotels along the route.   As I was doing a one day journey, the stops were to visit the Nevado Rose plantation where they export thousands of roses internationally every day, the city of Ambato and then on to the high point of Urbina.  Then back to Quito by bus late that evening.  All along the route were beautiful green hills, and a series of volcano's both active and silent. Along this route are beafutiful vistas

everywhere.

It was so much fun chugging along and drinking in the scenery as well as the great drinks and snacks that the train staff served.  The most amazing thing however was the hoards of people that would line the tracks everywhere we went.  As soon as the whistle of the train sounded, locals would come to see this  new spectacle created by the President of their country.

Cheering and waving, it was almost like they themselves were part of its' creation as well.

But that is why I love Ecuador and this little train too.  Tren Crucero is just another example of why this country is so wonderful.  Good hotels, great infrustructure,a very smart President and an amazing history and all presented by the lovely and warm people of Ecuador.