Cottages by the SEA

Last year I did a write up on Casa WF, a guest house down at the Boca, or mouth of the river, run by Americans Marty and Jim. Now it's time to highlight another wonderful place in the other direction, San Alejo. The Cottages by the Sea are beautifully renovated one and two bedroom cottages, run by Kimberly and Chris. They turned what used to be a very run down property into an oceanfront garden paradise!

One of the earliest photos I could find, even this was a huge improvement over what Chris and Kim purchased.

November 2015 digging the pool.

And the pool was completed on time for Chris's first ever birthday party, Dec 25, 2015.

Landscape going in, I warned Kimberly about being so close to the ocean, but the plants proved me wrong, and are doing fantastic.

They could not have done all this without wonderful volunteers. They put the word out, and for room and board they got many very helpful workers. A wonderful couple from Mexico stayed longer than planned, and really helped with the landscape, and painted wonderful murals and the sign.

Another couple from the States did another mural.

Why dogs? 

Kimberly never met a dog she didn't like...street dog rescue is another passion.

They had their first guests in January, and decided after some feedback they should add AC, so when a lull in occupancy came, they added AC to all the Cottages. No other place in the area is as well equipped, very centrally located. Easy walk to shops and restaurants, and of course the beach! It's also on the bus route, if you want to jump on the bus for .50 cents.

Hot water (what's that?) and recently added washer and dryer in the outdoor common area. Bicycles for rent, by the hour or the day. Outdoor kitchen and grilling area, and of course the pool!

Plenty of shade structures, but just enough full sun for the sun lovers.

Checkout that landscape! This picture from last weekend, when we went for a BBQ and pool day.

You can also see they added thatch awnings, to help combat the sun in the Cottages. They really have thought of everything. It is top notch! And so wonderful to have another option for visiting guests. Pet friendly, obviously, but no children, so you don't have to worry about being splashed, or it being loud. Of course, us adults have been known to splash, and get loud a time or two...

Such great friends, good times and wonderful memories. Come join us, look up Cottages by the Sea on Facebook, and book your vacation! And stay tuned, the adventure continues!

Quick trip to Bahia

Another expat went into Bahia this week and posted some pictures. We still have no reason to go, so we'll stay out of the way.

There are several mobile hospitals, medical centers set up. PortoViejo and Manta have these as well, both of them had major damage to their hospitals.

This is the museum, I can't imagine it's salvageable...

Apparently many of the buildings had color coded stickers, stating the future of the building, whether it was safe or needed to come down. This area is the major "downtown" area, usually bustling with people, buses, cars, taxis and bike taxis. It really looks like a ghost town.

This picture was the biggest shock to us, as this Tia store used to be dwarfed by larger taller buildings. Across the street there used to be a huge bakery clothing stores, and vendors who were parked on the corner. I can't imagine when it'll get rebuilt. Who owns the land? How many people lived in the buildings higher floors? And where did they go? Those who don't have family, went to this tent city, or ones like it...

Another expat posted they toured tent cities, and found some had "community centers" with pool table, and games for kids. Many that are run by the military have rules, no alcohol and such inside the gates. Many people displaced aren't living too differently than before, we have run across many locals who don't have running water, bucket showers and hand washing dishes is normal. They also have a great attitude, and are thankful for the help they've gotten thus far.

Of course everyone wishes the earthquake never happened, but since you can't put that cat back in the bag...whatcha gonna do? They keep smiling! The people in our town are very appreciative, Jose and his lady, Carmen have had us over for lunch a number of times, trying to "repay" us the only way they can. Nexar invited us to his house for food as well, he said the maestro had finished the rebuilding of the walls, and he would ask Maria what day.

Thanks to Ray and Deborah for sharing their trip to Bahia. We've been invited to a birthday, and then there are more birthdays this weekend. (including mine) So...stay tuned, the adventure continues!

Starfish, ships and sharks

This post is brought to you by the letter S. Yesterday turned cloudy after lunch so we went inside to catch up on some tv, usually if someone comes to the fence the dogs will alert us. They must have been napping, because later when I was making dinner I saw a pile of something just inside our gate. It took me a minute to focus on the pile, and when I did, I yelled at Mike to come look. I couldn't believe my eyes!

Fishermen had found these massive starfish in their nets, and instead of throwing them away, or back in the ocean, they left them for us.

By the time I saw them, all the fishermen had gone home, so I don't know who left them, but I'll ask around. They'll stink for a while, but such a score! Sure glad they know to leave them for us!

I've been painting almost everyday and trying my hand at new things. I decided to try a pirate ship, as usual the first attempt isnt always the best. Mike thought that one of our fishermen boys would love it, so I personalized it. When I presented it to Junior, for his son, he looked quizzical... I had written Francis, but after getting a pen and paper found out the boys name is Ramsses, oops.

A little more paint, and voila! Problem solved, and a bonus gecko photobomb! I gave it to Ramsses, and he got all shy and awkward, I guess that means he liked it.

I've also been working on things to give at Christmas, because it'll be here before we all know it! I've got two of these done, and need maybe six more, and that's just for the boys!

I've also got some girlie ones planned.

You never know what we will get over the fence, or what I'll come up with next...so stay tuned! The adventure continues!

Pescadores

I realized the other day as we sat on the patio, listening to the fishermen talk amongst themselves, that I recognize many of their voices. I then realized I probably see and hear them more than their wives do! (Of course I still don't understand much, but from their laughing, I know they're having fun.)

Nexar, not Nexar the bread man, but Nexar the Captain of El Chino boat. His two sons work with him, but this is Christopher, our "chaperone" last year on the shrimp boat, and Father Fishermen's Godson. He is a wonderful young man, ALWAYS around to help, no matter what boat, he is willing to help.

On this day, Junior was decorating his New boat, now he has two. A little help and supervision from Nexars two boys, and Chino and Junior's son Francis also oversee.

Now Junior has two boats, he has double the earning power, but also may have to go out more, whereas Nexar only has to go out if one of his boys can't get a substitute crewman.

Junior, and what might be his grandfather doing nets. This little guy is out here willing to help everyday too. Sometimes just checking things out, but often jumping in and helping.

One of my personal favorites, Raphael. He has a scrap of netting, that he is using along with sand and water to clean the algae off the boat. He is the uncle of our friend Fernando Romero.

Often it's crazy busy out front, then all of a sudden...

Quiet, everybody's gone. It usually means it's lunch time.

Alfred's new paint job.(several months old now) Ramon asked if I could paint on his boat, and I'll certainly give it a try, but do we need two shark boats in the same cove?

We so enjoy the fishermen being right outside, we know they add to our safety. Nobody is going to wade thru them to get to us, it's an added layer of protection. Some say they are simple people with out much drive, but I like what our friend Jorge said the other day when I asked how the catch was..."basante" Enough. If more people would be happy with "enough" the world just may be a better place. 

Low tide, time for a walk. Stay tuned, the adventure continues!

Building relationships

I can honestly say we are well liked by the community, they don't quite understand us, but like us. The earthquake has brought some of us closer, as well as started new friendships. Last evening we went to Marcos for an early dinner, we had never eaten at Marcos old restaurant, but wanted to be supportive. He has made outdoor seating, always our favorite, and of course the food was excellent. We shared a breaded fish plate and a bowl of ceviche, both were very very good. (2large beers, all for $13)

This is what was being finished when the earthquake happened. I'm just glad it wasnt open for business...and after a 7.8 earthquake

The new restaurant sits where this pile used to be, and now that the other building across the street has been demolished I'm sure he will start to rebuild there too. Poor guy, but good news is we are now on waving terms, and speaking terms is next.

I've been busy making signs for people, 

For Edison

Nexar the bread man

Jenny, and for her new granddaughter. (Remember the baby shower I was invited to the day of the earthquake)

We are also enjoying a new relationship with our "urchins"...these pictures are from Facebook, some gringo passing thru San Jacinto on way to San Clemente. 

And yesterday they were out front playing "boats" but kept pulling their pants up because they were heavy now that they'd gotten wet...

So I took out a couple lengths of twine, and made them belts. I can't believe we've known them over a year! This next picture was on a recent memory on Facebook.

We love our little town, and I really enjoy seeing the smiles on their faces when "the gringa" does something unexpected. So, stay tuned, the adventure continues...