Guayaquil the largest city in Ecuador, a major sea port and the people are known as lively and colorful - we agree. Loved our introduction to the country our hospitable stay at the Grand Hotel, visiting the lush iguana/turtle city park, strolling on Malecon 2000 promenade on the river, up 400 steps to the Las Penas district with art galleries and brightly painted wooden houses, refreshing dip in the tiled pool, siesta, tapas dinner and watching a soccer game with the locals which unfortunately Ecuador lost to Venezuela 1-0 in the 75th minute but surprisingly didn't dampen spirits too much.