The temple grounds are always beautiful. I enjoyed the colors in the foliage. The bushes were almost as colorful as the many flowers.
This was a very interesting tree. I'm not sure if it qualifies as beautiful but it is amazing.
Look at the spikes that grow on the trunk of this tree. Not a tree to cuddle up to.
In the afternoon we went to the Iguana Park. This little park is downtown and is called Parque de Semanario or Parque Bolivar or Parque de los Iguanas. There is a big beautiful church across the street. The park is surrounded by a wrought iron fence but that would not prevent the iguanas from leaving. If they left they would get run over by all the cars on the streets that surround the park. I guess they know that, or at least do not want to leave their comfortable surroundings. Some of the iguanas are very large. This guy was much larger than Leiann's iguana, Willy, but not the same beautiful green color.
Those who had visited before warned us about standing under the trees. We saw one tree with a score of iguanas in the branches.
There were more than 50 iguanas that we saw in the trees, on the grass and walking around the monuments and the gazebo. Lots of parents and children were there in the park and enjoying the animals.
There was a small pond also and it was filled with turtles. They were not very attractive turtles. What do you think of this fellow?
Look at how long the legs and necks and tails are.
There were some other species also that were in a pen without water to swim in. One group had orange on their bodies and there were three that looked like tortoises. Look at the toes on that iguana below - no wonder they are good climbers.
This beautiful building below was build in 2000 and is the home of the government of the state of Guyas and city of Guayaquil. It is a very impressive building with statues and fountains and lots of ornamentation. It is right across the street from the Malecon, which is along the bank of the river.
This big old ship is permanently docked on the Malecon.
This is a very impressive monument that is explained below.
The Malecon runs along the bank of the river, has been recently refurbished and is a lovely place for families to come and spend time together. Several parents were pushing their young children in wheeled toys fitted with handles. There were also lots of young couples walking together. There are fun towers to climb in order to see the river from two stories up along with lots of statues and small shops. You can buy cotton candy and have your photo taken next to a statue of a pirate. A pleasant place to spend the afternoon. It was warm and humid but still comfortable. It is the apparently the cooler part of the year here in Guayaquil.
How is this for an impressive tree...
There are little plants we saw floating down the river. They have air bladders on them like the seaweed in California.
On Sunday we went to the Kennedy Stake Center where the Institute building is also located. Inside the building we saw that Grandpa was featured on the flyer advertising the fireside.
This is the group of Stake Presidents and stake and ward leaders as well as stake specialists that met at 5:30 to learn more about the Perpetual Education Fund from Grandpa.
Grandpa used a Power Point presentation that he made and taught everyone the principles of the program and the things they need to know to administer the program within their stewardships.
This is the group of Institute students in the choir that sang at the beginning of our fireside and then also the closing song. They sounded wonderful.
We were pleased that there were almost 200 people who came to the fireside. It was so fun to talk with them afterwards and answer their questions. Wonderful young people who are preparing great futures for themselves and their families.
There are many intelligent and beautiful young people who want to get further education so they can get a good job and take their place as contributors to the common good. It is a lot of work to get an education, to build a strong and happy family and then choose to serve others as well. Most of them are making it happen. We are encouraged by how many good people throughout the world there are who are doing their best to improve their talents and help make this world a better place for all of us.
PS - Immediate family members - check out the Family Reunion website listed near the top on the right and see the new scrapbook pages from our 2010 reunion. Communicate quickly with Khristine to firm up your reservation for 2012.
Love, Grandma
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