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I am a writer and editor at V!VA Travel guides here in Quito, where I specialize in adding quality content to the site and also in spooky things like haunted museums! Before this, I served in the US Peace Corps in Guatemala. I hold a PhD from Ohio State in Latin American Literature. My wife is a naturalist guide in the Galapagos islands, so I often get to go visit her.
- Hometown
Rochester, NY USA
- Location now
Quito, Ecuador
- Work published
Most of my work has been published only with V!VA, but I have done subtitles for a few films and I did an article for the Toronto Globe and Mail. I also did a translation for a book of Ecuadorian ghost stories.
- Travel philosophy
The best travel experiences have less to do with buildings and natural beauty and more to do with the people you meet.
- Craziest place
I was in Brazil when they won the World Cup of soccer. That was insane! They were partying in the streets.
- Bizarre experience
I was in Spain and my host mother served me fried brains! I'm a tough traveler and I have an iron stomach, but that was pretty gross.
- Advice
Don't put travel off: no one on their deathbed ever said they wished they had spent more time at the office! Also, pack a good hat.
- Dream destination
I'd love to go to Egypt.
- Traveled before
All over. I think I've been to about 30 countries, mostly in South and Central America.
- Going next
The Dominican Republic.
Christopher Minster's Guide Book Entries
Info
Manuela Sáenz
Apr 23, 2013 - EcuadorBorn in Quito in 1795 (some sources say 1797) as the illegitimate daughter of a married Spanish nobleman, Manuela Sáenz ......
Read MoreHistory
Feb 02, 2012 - BoliviaThe Chiquitania region is home to several old Jesuit missions, and they're well worth a visit. The Jesuits worked in ......
Read MoreNatural History of Galapagos
Apr 22, 2011 - EcuadorThe Galápagos Islands were formed ages ago by what geologists call a “hot spot.” Basically, a hot spot is a ......
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Destinations
Northern Jungle
Nov 30, 2010 - PeruThe northern part of Peru's Amazon jungle is where you'll find the border town of Santa Rosa as well as ......
Read MoreNorth Seymour Island
Jan 27, 2010 - EcuadorNorth Seymour is a small, flat island located near Baltra and Santa Cruz: it's possible to visit from Puerto Ayora ......
Read MorePuerto Velasco Ibarra
Dec 02, 2009 - Puerto Velasco Ibarra, EcuadorThe tiny town of Puerto Velasco Ibarra has no more than 200 inhabitants, but does have a small hotel, restaurant ......
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Hotels
Hostería Pantaví
Oct 30, 2012 - Around Ibarra, Tumbabiro, EcuadorHostería Pantaví has 12 lovely rooms in a beautiful, peaceful setting. There is a variety of ethnic art on the ......
Read MoreHistory
Mar 12, 2010 - La Paz, BoliviaNuestra Señora de La Paz (our Lady of Peace) was founded in 1548 by Spanish conquistadors and treasure seekers high ......
Read MoreIguana Crossing Hotel
Jan 22, 2010 - Puerto Villamil, EcuadorLocated at the southern edge of town where the National Park starts, the Iguana Crossing hotel has enviable beach access ......
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Restaurants
El Costeñito
Apr 15, 2009 - Pedernales, EcuadorEl Costeñito is an airy, friendly, family-run restaurant located right in the middle of the malecon, the main drag in ......
Read MorePalace Hotel Restaurant
Sep 28, 2007 - Luso, PortugalThe Palace Hotel in Buçaco is one of Portugal’s most famous and elegant inns, being set in an actual nineteenth-century ......
Read MoreCozinha Velha
Sep 20, 2007 - Lisbon, PortugalWhen the Portuguese royal family was in residence at the Queluz palace, a small army of maids, cooks and servants ......
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Activities
Galapagos Barn Owl
Feb 10, 2010 - EcuadorThe Galapagos Islands are home to a thriving population of barn owls. They're easy to spot with their distinctive owl ......
Read MoreSmooth-Billed Ani
Feb 10, 2010 - EcuadorA large member of the Cuckoo family, the Smooth-billed Ani is a largish, black bird with a big, black beak ......
Read MoreLava Gull
Feb 10, 2010 - EcuadorA largish member of the Gull family, the Lava Gull (Larus fuliginosus) lives only in Galapagos. There are estimated to ......
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Tours
La Tasca Tours
Apr 13, 2007 - Vilcabamba, EcuadorLa Tasca is a small tour operator with over 20 years of experience, located just off of Vilcabamba\'s main square. ......
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Schools
Studying Quechua in Peru
Jul 16, 2007 - PeruWhether you need to speak Quechua in order to live and/or work in certain Andean areas or whether you simply ......
Read MoreTropical Dancing School
May 04, 2005 - La Mariscal, Quito, EcuadorTropical Dancing School is a small, friendly place that offers dance lessons in a variety of styles, including salsa, merengue, ......
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Services
Shopping in Cuernavaca
Sep 21, 2009 - Cuernavaca, MexicoCuernavaca is not a shopping Mecca to compare with a place like nearby Taxco, but you can still find some ......
Read MoreShopping in the Dominican Republic
Jan 25, 2008 - Dominican RepublicIf you’re in the mood to pick up some souvenirs while in the Dominican Republic, you’re in luck: there are ......
Read MoreGalapagos On Line
Dec 17, 2007 - Puerto Ayora, EcuadorGalapagos on-line is a popular internet spot just across from the naval base. In the past, the computers here were ......
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V!VA List Articles
V!VA Latin
Diving in Salvador
Oct 06, 2006 - BrazilMay 10, 1624. The Dutch, jealous of the New World empires of Spain, England and Portugal, decide to establish themselves ......
Read MoreBuenos Aires
Oct 06, 2006 - ArgentinaIt was tango singer Carlos Gardel who said it best, in his immortal tango classic “Mi Buenos Aires Querido” (“My ......
Read MoreEating Lemon Ants in the Rainforest
Feb 15, 2006 - EcuadorYou’re hiking through the thick, steamy jungle of Ecuador’s rainforest. The hot sun overhead is softened by the dense canopy ......
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