Moms trip Part Three

After Montanita, we continued north, stopping quickly at Los Frailes beach, and on to Puerto Cayo. Our driver Jhonny had said Puerto Lopez did not have much to see, wow was he wrong, as it was Puerto Cayo that was the small one...but we found a gem and I will see Puerto Lopez another trip. But first Los Frailes, Manabians say one of the prettiest beaches...

When we arrived in Puerto Cayo, after drivng thru some real interesting micro climates, mini cloud forests, and then desert terrain, I was shocked at how small it was, smaller than my little fishing village. We stopped for lunch at a beach fron Cabana, similar to ours in SJ, and then looked for lodging. We literally had two choices, we opted for the more expensive but quirky one at the end of the malecon. Hotel Puerto Cayo has been run by the sweet lady for 30 years, and we had the place to ourselves, tho it had upward of ten rooms, Senora said usually only around Carnivale were they booked.

This was such a sprawling property, with little nooks and crannies everywhere. Would be a wonderful place to rent for a destination wedding or family reunion. Senora has a lot of time on her hands, being unoccupied so often, she had done little crafty things everywhere.

The rooms were large, bright and had beautiful views from the private balconies. Hot water, but the internet did not reach into the guest rooms, oh well...we werent there for wifi.

Such an interesting location, within an hour 15 minutes south of Manta, it would be a wonderful romantic weekend getaway.

One more stop on our way north to San Jacinto, we will have a quick tour of the fish market and Boat repair yard in Manta, so stay tuned...the adventure continues!

Moms trip Part Two

We said goodbye to Salinas, and ventured up the Ruta de Spondylus highway, stopped at one very small little fishing village, and what do you know, it looked very much like mine.

By noon we were in Montanita, and looking for lunch. We had not planned on sleeping in Montanita, but since it was a Wednesday and low season, we thought it wouldnt be too loud. Montanita is definatly a different feel, even the buildings were a new experience, so tall! I guess because they need to accomidate the hoardes of people that come during high season, and weekends. Montanita is THE PARTY PLACE.

I would say the town is twelve streets by eight, and the center of town was the place to be, Im sure ALL the streets are crowded on weekends, but again, since it was mid week, it was a dull roar. The people walking around were much younger than other places, athletic, surfers and backpackers, dreadlocks and tattoos.

It was a beautiful sunny day, and after we found a little ceviche stand for lunch, the World Cup was on, and we got to watch the town folk enjoy themselves.

We had originally thought we would stay in Olon, but decided to sleep in Montanita, thought we may stay thru the next day, but awoke to rain, so we got in the car after breakfast and ventured north. My friend Jerri wants to see Montanita, so one of these days we will go down on a weekend, and get the “full effect”, but for this trip, Im glad it was tranquilo. Next stop Las Frailes, so stay tuned, the adventure continues...

This years trip with Mom Part One

Last year, before Mom was even gone, I decided next trip we would do the southern beaches. I had her fly into Guayaquil, instead of Quito, and took the bus down to meet her. I had never spent anytime much farther south than Manta, except on the bus, so it was something I was very interested in. I arranged a driver for us and did some research, and before you knew it, it was July, and she was flying in!

Her plane arrived at noonish, our driver Jhonny had already picked me up at the bus station, and found us a cute little hotel. We got mom and luggage and headed to a very nice area with outdoor restaurants for lunch. We walked the malecon a little bit, then begged off for a much needed nap. We were to meet up with Jhonny, and my friend Leo (who was in Guayaquil working) for dinner around sunset.

Guayaquil is BIG, massive actually, I think the largest city in Ecuador. Wow, traffic! So many people and cars, I was missing my little fishing village already. Food was expensive, and by the end of the day, we were ready to head to a smaller city...next stop, Salinas

Well, smaller...but not small. It was low season, and much like a ghost town, especially at night. I had recently met two ladies who live in Salinas, so we met for an afternoon snack and drink, after we arrived. (They had also recommnded a condo for us to stay in). They took us to a popular look out point, that was breathtaking, and the waves! Chocolatera (which has NOTHING to do with chocolate)

Salinas has a big gringo population, and my friends suggested a good breakfast place for the next day. Italian food for dinner, and promises of a place to stay next time I venture down. I will take them up on it, at a time when I can see more action, I know it wont be for me, but I like to see the ecuadoreans enjoying their beach resorts. Next stop...Montanita, so stay tuned, the adventure continues!

One Fish, two fish, Red fish, Blue fish

As my Facebook is almost all things local, I get a lot of photos from the locals, there have been some good days fishing recently...

These were taken in San Alejo on the malecon, the haul from the net pullers, quite the catch!

Some other great specimens found at the fish market in Manta recently, wow! Look at the size of that lobster! And some beautiful looking steaks, not sure if they are tuna, or something else, but yum!

Another great catch, again I think these biggees were found in Manta, they have deeper water, so get bigger fish.

And some old photos I found, this is how they used to Fish the smaller fish closer to shore...

Such a life living near the ocean, you never know what gifts it will bring next, so stay tuned, the adventure continues!

Fourth of July in San Clemente Ecuador

The expats had so much fun doing the parade for Carnivale in February, they decided to do one themselves for the fourth of July. A group got together ahead of time and made tissue paper pom poms in red, white and blue, and had glittery star decorations to share. All sorts of transport came to join in, an old army jeep, quads, trikes, bikes and even horses! Music blaring from a boom box and a promise of pot luck and bbq hamburgers and hot dogs at the end.

The locals were unaware what was happening, I guess we should have advertised it on Facebook. But the ones who did happen to be in town, enjoyed seeing them ride by. The Ecuadoreans are such a proud people, they were not upset by the show of pride for the US.

It turned out to be a beautiful afternoon, and the party at the end was a nice way to end the day. I just got word the August festival will be on the 10 th, and we will have to try to out-do our last parade...so, stay tuned, the adventure continues!

Crazy Hat Party

Last year San Clemente got some new people from Texas, and they are blessed with the gift of Hospitality! They have a wonderful yard, and porch for gathering and dancing, and they just enjoy having a good time with their friends and neighbors. In chatting, we realized there were quite a few of us expats that had birthdays in June, so these people decided to have a joint birthday party, and made it themed as Crazy Hat. That meant I had to get thinking...I looked around my house, and saw a small balsa wood toucan I had purchased last year in Banos, that was my inspiration. I then started looking on Pinterest (where I get so many of my great ideas) and it was on!

I spent the afternoon in front of the tv while house sitting, making tissue paper leaves, and flowers. ( I also made Jerri an indian headdress, so made tissue paper feathers too) I had a large piece of cardboard I cut to make the hat portion, and poco y poco got the hat glued together. I used drinkng straws to make the “fronds” stiff, and also used them for the stems of the flowers. A little fishing line to hold everything around the hat and Voila! I was sooooo pleased!

I made one for Jerri, and then one for Bonnie as she was returning from Guayaquil the day of the party, and wouldnt have time or energy to make one for herself.

I really had a fun time making them, and couldnt wait to see what other people did. The night of the party was a great time (as always) and the happy faces show it.

There were prizes, first, second and third. First prize went to an ecuadorean, and the hat was pretty great! Toy cars, and even a helicopter on the top.

I won second place (glad I didnt get first, I dont drink Vodka, the wine is more my style)

And third went to another ecuadorean, kinda hard to see, but his hat was a big mug of beer

It really was a fun night. Not as many hats as I had hoped, maybe next year people will hire me to make them one. :)

We ended up having 13 birthday people, and the biggest party yet, probably 100 or more people! A wonderful celebration. Perry had a hat too, of course, but didnt wear it for more than a minute. (Plate of bacon and egg, it attached with a length of elastic, was super cute) Who knows whats next? So...stay tuned, the adventure continues!