Las Peñas and Cerro Santa Ana, Guayaquil

Last Sunday I made a third attempt to visit the Museum of Anthropology & Contemporary Art here in Guayaquil, but I was thwarted yet again by the powers that be. This time there was a notice on the door saying that it's closed for refurbishment but will open again soon. Very frustrating... at this rate I doubt I'll actually get inside the place until well after Christmas! Hopefully I will be proved wrong though.

After reading the notice I decided to do what I did the last time this happened - walk along nearby Las Peñas district first...

...and then climb the hill above it (Cerro Santa Ana). It was extremely hot; at least 35 degrees, if not more. The sky was cloudless so I knew the view would be great from the hilltop. This time I climbed up a series of zigzagging steps at the side of the hill, rather than the front way which seemed more touristy.

Then I climbed up more sets of steps and pathways, and passed by a little 5-a-side wire-fenced concrete football pitch right on the side of the hill next to the river; a match was going on and there were several supporters sprawled on the steps leading up to and above the pitch, cheering and chatting.

Once I reached the top I took photos of the old fort foundations, the chapel and lighthouse...

...as well as the fabulous views over the city.

On the main route down: