Category: M’s Thoughts

I know it sounds like an odd topic but walking the beaches on almost a daily basis, I see what the high and low tides do to the beaches. I think some of the high tides are higher and different, by how far we can walk down the beach. Remember the picture I or Leo posted about the family having a special dinner on the rocks; at the last high tides we could not even see the rocks or could not even go past the cliffs. The next time we walked the beach after the very high tide the amount of garbage left on the beach was incredible, although I found a lot of it looked like sculptures and works of art. I tried to pull some of the drift wood out of the sand but could not budge it. Leo and I think it was buried about 2 feet down because of the tides going in and out and burying it deeper and deeper. Check out some of my pictures.

Our first run in with buying Ecuadorian foods, was February 2^nd at 7:30 pm after traveling for almost 2 days. We were told by our driver Jo Lynn that Super Maxi in Manta would be closing at 8:30, OK that gave us an hour. We had made up a very careful list of what we would need knowing that this grocery store is approximately 1 hour drive from Mirador San Jose. Jo Lynn thought it best that she stay with her car to watch our luggage. Into the store we go grocery cart and list in hand. It was a real learning experience in a lot of the aisles and we soon realized that any prepackaged goods ie sun screen, toothpaste, toilet paper is very expensive. We had no idea what was already in the house; in the cart toilet paper, paper towels, Kleenex (no we can use toilet paper), dish soap, laundry soap. We were already told ahead of time that all toilet paper goes into the garbage can non can go into the toilet because of the system they have in MSJ or you can use biodegradable toilet paper. SHEESH try and find biodegradable toilet paper was impossible we were limited to time, could not read a word of Spanish, exhausted and saw the two guards at the door with bullet proof vests, billy clubs and guns. We knew we had to get the shopping done and fast. Meat counter WOW, the prices unbelievable, T bone steaks 2 for $4.50, chicken 5 drumsticks $2.50, and pork chops 4 for $4.00 etc etc. What was expensive was bacon, weiners, and some deli cuts. Odd things milk (super pasteurized), eggs and margarine not in the coolers and yogourt sold in litre bags. With 10 minutes to spare we had a cart full and spent $141.00, loaded up the car and headed to our place of residence for the next two months.

Because I have IBS I am very careful what I eat and have limited ourselves to which restaurants we eat when we are out. But we have found that every Ecuadorian meal consists of soup, rice and deep fried plantain, all not too bad but very bland. Here at home we stick to things we like and I can eat. With the computer and Spanish dictionary close by we can figure out how to prepare, soups, rice etc.

Every Friday the veggie truck goes around MSJ honking his horn to back his presence known. We can fill our fridge with all the necessary fruits and vegetables that we need for a week without spending very much money (never over $10 a trip). The corner store sells any staples that you might require at a bit higher cost than at the Super Maxi. We usually end up getting eggs, milk, beer, chips etc.

We enjoy eating the eggs they are as good as or better than the farm eggs we buy in Almonte. Bacon is not like our bacon very lean and just a different taste. I am not a bread eater so I have very happy to find English muffins on our last visit to the Super Maxi, but again not like ours very doughy. Leo was itching to have pancakes so we purchased pancake mix and syrup for a breakfast, OH my it was a different experience.

A couple of weeks ago our driver friend Juan took us to as fishing village and we purchased 3 fairly large fish???? For $5.00. Barbequed them and they were delicious. Next time we will fillet them very hard to eat with all the bones. What is nice you can purchase freezer packed meat and fish at the corner store; we have purchased tuna, shrimp, hamburger and steak all at approximately $7.00 per pound.

The pub Ko Ko Mo serves Quebec style pub food ie poutine, fish and chips, some salads and sometimes specials. Prices are good, only the French people from MSJ hang out there so it gets very loud and no one talks to us poor English people. OH well each to their own. The owner is very friendly but does not speak a word of English.

That is it for my food and shopping experiences in Ecuador. But I am very glad I listened to my friend in Canada to

bring spices in small baggies with me, next time I will bring more variety and more of each kind. Thanks Fran.

We were picked up from MSJ on the first day at 8:30 am by our driver and host Aude. We found out that Aude is here with her boyfriend a diving instructor from France. Aude speaks fluent French, Spanish and English WOW, but especially needs the Spanish to be working for the huge tour company.
We drove about an hour to get to our hotel Hostera Oceanic where we are staying for 2 nights during the excursions just outside of the town Puerto Lopez. Google map of hotel and area
We unpacked and got ready for our first excursion Los Frailes Beach, our driver drove for about a half hour through a grove of trees that looked like an enchanted forest. Got to the beach had to sign in and listen to all the rules and regulations of the Parks of Ecuador. Asked for our passports, OOPS! Our host had not told us to bring them, I did my looking sad and smiling and the agent said we could go through. Drove on winding roads for about 5 km, parked brought water bottles and knap sack and camera equipment. Another tour guide stopped us inspected all of our gear inquired if we had food, cigarettes, etc (if you had any it had to be left behind with him to pick up later) and walked down to an amazing white beach with this indescribable surf. We walked from one end of the beach to the other, Leo took some amazing pictures. Los frailes beach
By the way I decided not take my big canon camera and was having problems with my tiny camera, every day we had some rain, extreme heat and humidity. I depended on Leo to take all of the pictures that is why I have added the web sites. I am in a way sorry that I had no camera because Leo does not like taking ie the village or people pictures because he feels he is invading in their privacy.
For lunch we went to our excursion at Aqua Blanca, it is a very small village made up of about 200 people that the government allowed to live there because of their historic background dating back to the Incas. We had lunch in a local restaurant, with the goats, chickens, dogs, and people in hanging hammocks SHEESH!!! We had a choice of fish and chicken, Leo and I choose chicken thinking since it was deep fried that might be the safest. Must say the lunch was delicious, also a little unnerving was the juice with the ice cubes. I could still hear the travel doctor saying “don’t drink anything with ice cubes”.
After lunch we visited the museum, did the long trek to the sulphur lagoon, we learned an awful lot of their culture and the people. Aqua blanca

First day is completed, back to the hotel to shower again to get the Sulphur smell off. It reminded us of the house in Corkery Woods that had Sulphur in the drinking water, within a week we had a water filtering system installed. We had a delicious seafood supper and ice cold beers at our hotel and collapsed in bed for a much needed rest to get ready for day two.
Day 2 – the most anticipated excursion – Isles de la Plata (‘poor man’s galapagos’ – we had researched both islands and decided there was no way we could afford the big Galapagos). We had also researched about sea sickness and read the best way not to get sick is to take one gravol (new chewable ginger non-drowsy) the night before and one in the morning and wear the motion sickness wrist bands. We were picked up at 8:30 and driven to Puerto Lopez where we were given instructions to walk to the peer where we would meet one of our tour guides. One of the couples who went with us are from Holland, as soon as they started speaking I understood the language, small world. Our boat arrived about a 27 foot with 2 – 150 hp motors, quite impressive looking. About 14 people are escorted on board, my heart is racing with anticipation. We are all asked to take off our socks and all foot wear (we all guessed not to make the boat dirty) and given life jackets. With a deafening noise of the engines we are off for an hour boat trip across the Pacific to Isles de la Plata. On the way one of the tour guides goes around with pieces of cake his Mother has made to give us energy when we reach the island. Three quarters of an hour we see glimpses of the majestic island. We arrived with the help of tour guides we jump into the water and walk to shore, we were are met with other guides. Bathroom and water breaks, retrieve our footwear and start our first hike to the top of the island. Absolutely grueling straight upward climb, I could almost not breathe. At the top we had a choice of which hike we wanted to continue on, Leo of course picked the most difficult and longest route and I stuck with the shortest and easiest hike. No point in fooling myself, there was no way I had the stamina to go on the long hike and I had also fallen two days before and still had the scrapes and bruises on my legs. Going to definitely work on getting more fit when we get home. The hike was absolutely exhilarating the blue and red footed boobies, lizards and views from the cliffs were amazing as you will see from Leo’s pictures. It was not the right time of the year to see whales but we did see a striped shark and a stingray. After about 3 hours our first group was back on boat waiting for the second group. We were given juice, sandwiches, fruit (pineapple and watermelon). After about a half hour the second group arrived, were fed and then you could go snorkeling. Because of my open scrapes and Leo not able to float and didn’t want to do it with a life jacket on we and about another 6 watched. We were very lucky to see three large turtles come right up to the side of the boat. The ride back to the mainland was a lot rougher than in the morning, arrived back on the mainland retrieved our runners and were driven back to the hotel. WOW what a day!!!

Day 3 – excursion #4 – The Rain Forest in Machililla National Park. We were picked up at the hotel at 8:30; it had rained again during the night and was very hot and humid. We were wearing long pants, socks, hiking boots and long sleeves which made it even hotter. None of the streets in Puerto Lopez are paved, it is incredible muddy, and you can really see the poverty in this area. Dogs and kids on bare feet running through the streets, big trucks roaring past everything on their way to fix other roads. An hour winding through the potholes and mud we arrive in a tiny village (Leo took a picture of the name) and our tour guide Wilmer, who with his parents have lived there all of their lives. Again I have a very hard time seeing past the broken down shacks and kids, dogs, cats, chickens running around everywhere.

Wilmer gave us each rubber boots, and rain ponchos for the trek through the rainforest. Our guide was very knowledgeable about everything from the birds, butterflies, monkeys, trees and flowers. After a 3 hour walk we had lunch in his family’s house, we right away noticed how much bigger their home was in comparison to others in the village. Wilmer explained that his father has been working on the house for the past 15 years building this home next to the original home his grandfather had built many years ago. He told us as his father gets enough money he will do the finishing touches ie windows, doors and a proper washroom. It is almost embarrassing to think what we have in Canada and still complain. The lunch his sister made was delicious, soup, rice, fish, salad and juice, most of the things from their garden. Wilmer’s wife is Canadian born in Vancouver, where she is now trying to get the paperwork done for them to move to Canada. Wilmer can see there is no hope for stability and to get out of the poverty and wants a better life for him, his wife and for their future children, very commendable. We hated to leave the Machililla Rain Forest but our driver had arrived and ready to take us to our hotel to retrieve our luggage and take us back to Mirador San Jose. Three days, 4 excursions that we will never forget.

Standard transport in most villages.

Today was the day we were most looking forward to, Montecristi and area. Juan, our taxi driver, met us at the front gate of MSJ at 9:30 am. We were very surprised of how young he looked standing next to a yellow taxi cab. At first hand shake we knew it was going to be an awesome day. Juan is 32 years old, has a son of 8 years old and a very beautiful wife Gaby, who is a stay at home Mom. They live with Juan’s parents, paying $200 a month rent. Juan’s father was a factory worker, the factory shut down and put his father out of work which was 3 years away from getting his pension. To get his pension he had to buy back 3 years of salary. His father now works part time as a taxi driver with Juan.

To explain more about the taxi industry in Ecuador which is huge, you have to be in a Co-op if you are not like Juan he had to pay $10K to be his own co-op, buy his own car and special taxi license. But still being in the co-op he still has to go to the meetings (I gather the same as being in a union) every month. It is very difficult work because he still has to market himself to get work. Yesterday he drove the 90 km to pick us up from Manta where he lives and then drive back past Manta to Montecristi where our tour actual started. I think all of you know Montecristi is where they make by hand the famous Panama hat. Yes Leo got one and you will see in the pictures looks really good on him he talked the owner of the shop down from $100 to $60 which is awesome.

He gave him a small wooden box (almost the size of a wine box) and showed Leo how to roll it up YIKES for the travel back home. From Montecristi Juan drove us to his house in Manta (met his son) and the area where he grew up, to ship building yards in San Mateo, past the beaches in Santa Marianita for a fantastic lunch at a beach restaurant, after lunch to San Lorenzo stopped to take pictures at the lighthouse, lookouts and the surf on the beaches. Last stop Pina where we bought fish from the fishermen. It was quite a day and all for $80 WOW!!!

Back home rest, shower and a beautiful night on the upper patio eating barbequed fish, fresh salad and Chilean wine.

It is Friday again, Veggie truck guys, ended walking about 4 km to catch the truck. No too much to buy today because we are gone for 4 days next week, cucumbers, tomatoes, pineapple, strawberries and plums.

I have also added pictures from our Manta trip (horrible for Leo – takes after Ellie bus sick ugh, no gravol didn’t help); Leo at the bus stop pretending he is the boss, me at the Manta sign and a guy selling liquid yogourt at the bus stop YIKES 32 degrees not sure if his wagon is really cold.

 

It has been hot and lazy days in Mirador San Jose, beach walking, swimming, talking lots of photos of birds, flowers, lizards and collecting shells for the front garden of our house Casa Isabella (check it out on the sarocoenterprises.com website). Have been itching to have some really good fish – too far to walk down the road, $35 for a car and driver too much and hitch hiking in our best interest, talked to the corner store owner and he has the best fresh shrimp and tuna steaks ever, a pound of each $7.00.

Finally nailed down two excursions to go on, this week Juan a highly recommended driver and tour guide will be taking us to Montecristi and Jipijapa. Montecristi is where the original Panama hats are made, not sure if we can afford the original but we will check it out. The following week we are staying at the Oceanic Gardens for 3 nights and doing four Machalilla tours:

• Los Frailes Beach
• Agua Blanca
• Rainforest tour
• Isle de la Plata (Poor Man’s Galapagos)

Not too bad all for $488.00 this includes breakfasts, and lunches and a few other things. Since they don’t deal with credit cards, paypal and only wanted money to be transferred to a bank account, we opt not to deal with Western Union and requested to pay in cash which has to be paid the day before the tours, Leo is to meet someone at the Mirador San Jose gate with the cash and they will give us a receipt. Pretty strange……

People here have talked about walking down the beach to a fishing village quote unquote ‘they have the best hamburgers and pizza?????’, and it only takes a few hours to walk. We left at about 3:30 pm when it was not as hot and started walking at 5:30 no sign of anything, walked about another 15 minutes and came across a manmade huge rock pile going into the ocean. Decided it was not in our best interest to go through the ocean to get around, walked up the hill saw a huge lake with sewer pipes going into it and a very large what we assume a fish plant.

Walked to the top of the hill and did not see any fishing boats or village, now it is almost 6 pm, Leo made the wise decision to head back before it got dark. We headed back walking faster than we had going down for fear of getting caught in the dark, we had brought a flashlight with us. Of course everything looked different because the tide had changed to a low tide, saw which I thought was astonishing huge cement sewer system going into the Pacific (see pictures). Leo said not unusual for countries to be dumping their raw sewage into the Pacific????????

Three dogs followed us for a while and all that was going through mind was “they told us we did not need rabies shots”, YIKES.

We got back at about 7:15 very dark and went to the pub to have supper; delicious not sure what she called it, chicken in a sauce, rice and salad, 2 large beers for $19.00. Today my ankle and large toe is really sore, I guess from walking in the sand, icing and aleve is helping. My fitbit registered 15,528 steps not too bad for 2 old dudes.

Can hardly wait for Tuesday, taking the dreaded bus to Manta, need to get cash out of the bank, need wine, see if I can find After Bite or something similar and tape for my foot. Mosquitos have not been bad here but we are going into the rainforest, yes we will be wearing long pants, socks and long sleeves…….

It has been a few days since I have written in the blog, be patient, nothing much as happened except that it seems to be getting hotter every day. At home we hear all winter long it is -10 feels like -20, here it is 30 degrees but really feels like 35 degrees. WOW that is hot, Leo of course loves the heat, I am doing a lot better than expected. I guess my main problem is when it is hot or I am stressed because of the lymphedema my legs really swell up, since there is no stress I am managing quit well. Between doubling up on the diuretics, OOPS don’t tell my doctor and new fashion, toe-less, pink and blue compression knee highs I purchased (No don’t wear them outside just in the house), I am able to keep the swelling under control.
Two nights ago Leo and I were watching a movie and all of sudden the whole building and couches we were sitting on were violently shaking. I guess it is right when they say ‘why didn’t you move’, we just looked at each didn’t move a muscle. It lasted about a minute, when everything calmed down we went outside checked the outside of the house and looked down the street could see no one and everything looked fine. It had not been our imagination because talking to the bike rental guy he felt it too and said it was milder than the last one they had a few months ago.
Tuesday we did the dreaded trip to Manta; I wanted to see the harbor and get a few needed items. At 8:50 am the flashing update sign in the bus said 30.8 degrees by the time we got to Manta it was 31.6 degrees. We should have known better than to go to harbour front, besides taking your life into your hands trying to cross the roads, I got sick and almost passed out from the heat. Taxi back to the Super Maxi, sat for about an hour with a bottle of cold water, I felt good enough to find a place to eat. I was fine eating rice cakes but Leo needed food. Tried a different restaurant Oh Mar, very expensive looking ie white table cloths on the tables and leather chairs, almost too prim and proper for two very hot tourists. Leo ordered a platter of rice, salad, shrimp and a fish filet, I ate some, Leo totally enjoyed himself first fish we have had here. Did our grocery shopping at Supper Maxi, a few things at the drug store (Yikes very expensive) and wine (cheapest $3.95 a bottle) at the Comisariato (another smaller grocery store) and back to the bus terminal. Getting much more confident with the taxis and where we are going. To make sure we are at the right bus terminal I just look for a hotel called Leo Hotel, and know that is the right place. I will be putting some pictures in the blog, look for one with an older gentleman with a yellow security vest, I called him the Boss, he was shouting to everyone and pointing which way to go and made himself very important.

Got an email late Tuesday night that our 2 day trip to Pacooche Lodge has been postponed because some of the monkeys are sick and a few have died and at this moment they have no idea why, we are very disappointed but of course very worried about the monkeys.
Construction is ongoing everyday not enough to interfere with us or anything else, except yesterday we came back from a beach walk. There were about 7 construction guys at our house erecting this 20 foot high tripod made out of bamboo tied off with ropes going up to the roof of the second story (where the third bedroom and bathroom are). Leo tried to find what they were doing and the response was Hola and everyone smiling and pointing up to the roof. We sent an email to the property managers and found out this morning that because of the heavy rains a month ago they are going around to all of the houses and fixing drain vents. OK by us we don’t have to pay for anything.

We have been looking at quite a few of the houses that are for sale on the project and the range of prices, no were are just fantasying, which is good and healthy just if we could handle the extra payment. No again not to move but as an income property we would come here about 3 months of the year and the rest rent out. I have put some pictures in the blog of some of the houses; the big white house with the blue canopy on the roof is going for $159,000 (I assume all in US$) 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and fully furnished, the very small one, 1 story with no roof top patio is going for $141,000, the other large white building with other buildings around it called the Yubarta complex is going for $215,000, 2 stories with an upper patio, hot tube beautifully furnished (this is a gated community on its own, with its own swimming pool) and then they are starting another resident complex not built check it out http://www.miradorsanjose.ca/project/las-palmeras-residencias/. The thought sounds great but we will see at the end of our 2 month stay here, whether this is for us and if we would just become renters.

Almost forgot till I looked at my pictures, Monday when we went swimming at the pool there was a guy there with goggles and ear plugs diving time and again in the pool, we just thought he was practicing. Till we saw the small scrub pad in his hands he was actually diving down and cleaning the sides and bottom of the pool by hand with this small scrub pad. SHEESH have the owners never thought of investing in a long handled contraption that I have seen our neighbor use in Almonte. These people will do anything to earn a bit of money in Ecuador, makes me think we have it pretty good in Canada and no right to complain.

The workers are making too much noise overhead so we are going to the beach and swim or just walk in the surf WOOHOO, will try and get some pictures

Yesterday was a very quiet day inside, 35 degrees C, not sure if that was ‘the feels like’ or actual, but believe me it was hot; no one out not even at the pool. Sorry not trying to rub it because it is so cold at home. We had left over pizza as an appetizer and headed to the beach at about 5:30 in anticipation of a gorgeous sunset first one without clouds in 11 days. As you will see by the pictures it was spectacular to say the least. Stayed on the beach till the sun sank into the ocean, I was waiting for steam to emerge as it went under. WOW!!!!!!
We walked back to our house with big grins on our faces and very happy. Had a delicious supper on the upper patio; steak, potatoes and asparagus with our $3.50 Chilean wine. What more can anyone ask for a beautiful night spent with my best friend.

Today it is Valentines Day, we have never made a big to-do about this, and we don’t have to give elaborate gifts to show our love and appreciation of each other. Had breakfast, charged all our camera batteries and Leo is heading out to take pictures of the many gardens that are here in Mirador San Jose. I am reading, writing in the blog and taking it easy, my foot has been really sore so giving it a rest. I guess I should have known after 4 weeks of physio that it was worse than I thought or just the lymphedema thing that it takes a long time to heal. I will be all rested up tomorrow to do another trek to Manta, almost out of coffee YIKES (too expensive at the corner store), and a few other necessary things. Trying to persuade Leo to take the taxi or bus to Monticristi, since he lost his ball cap he needs a Panama hat (made there by hand). Will let you know the outcome……

Leo did all the talking of Manta in his blog so I will just dwell on my interpretations and yes I did have an anxiety attack at the bus terminal. But all turned out OK. I also did a big “typical Marianne fall” cutting across one of the gardens on the way to the bus, all is good a couple of bruises, hurt ego and grass stains on my white top, OOPS.
Sitting on the bus in the sweltering heat with a hard warm wind blowing in, hanging on for dear life to the seat in front of me, I kept thinking OMG are we going to make it to Manta and then I saw a huge picture of the Virgin Mary in the front of the bus. We will be OK.

As the houses and huts (all of course with TV dishes on their roofs) were flying past the windows all I could think about how could these people like this…. but as the bus stopped to let people off I observed they are happy, clean and carrying bags of groceries.

I guess it is all in perception and I must not forget that we all just dwell on the material things of life. Always a real eye opener. I must say the bus was fun and cheap $7.00 for both back and forth, where a taxi would have been $35.00. Only downside was that on one of the crazy curves one of our bags toppled over, we thought we had retrieved everything but back at the house realized that Leo’s Algonquin College baseball caps was missing, no idea why it was not on his head but we won’t go there SHEESH, men. Will I go back to Manta, no choice have to go back to get any grocery items that the corner does not sell. And wine is cheaper found some across from the Super Maxi for $3.50, Chilean wine, not bad.
Friday is always exciting around here, the veggie truck drives through the project honking his horn to inform perspective customers. We met him up with him near the pub. The older gentleman was sitting in the back of the truck, peeling the onions and breaking off long stems from the broccoli etc. We purchased potatoes, tomatoes, fava beans, pineapple, strawberries, green onions and cucumbers. The young persuaded us to try some of the homemade peanut butter in this huge vat. I turned up my nose and one of the customers said that is very good. OK we asked for a small bag full (check out the picture the guy is really cute too).

Brought these home, packed water, oranges and lathered ourselves with sunscreen and headed to the beach to see how close we could get to the fishing village. The tide was out and a lot of rocks on our way were showing to reveal awesome shells, crawfish and again lots of garbage including gggggrrrr string of all lengths. Looking further into the distance we saw on the rocks white table cloths on 2 tables and umbrellas sheltering the people. Over on the left of the two tables was a barbeque, prep table and 3 chefs in their white jackets cooking for these people. Just really weird and awesome, but the smell of the food cooking was over whelming but that was OK we had a bottle of warmish water and 2 oranges LOL.

Didn’t make it to the fishing village, I really don’t think we ever will walking the beach, just too far. YIKES will have to do that dreadful bus and on the return have to hope we see one and flag it down. I know why don’t you rent a car but at $50 US a day and manual we need to think twice about that venture.
At home cooled down with a shower, cold water and a hour rest, walked to the pub had a beer and ordered 2 pizzas to eat on the roof top patio to watch the sunset. Two pizzas and 2 beers $17.95, that is really good. One pizza all dressed and the other shrimp, will I ever do shrimp pizza again probably not just too strange. Another cool nice evening in beautiful Mirador San Jose, Ecuador!!!!!

NEW FRIENDS
Yesterday was a very quiet day, rained all day so we caught up on washings, love the washing machine and dryer pretty awesome, far fancier than mine at home. Swept the floors and cleaned the bathrooms WOOHOO sounds like being at home…..
Continued reading my Kobo the new Nicholas Sparks book See Me and my Kobo decided to delete the book ggggrrrr, no idea why it does that except Leo says Kobo is a real piece of ……… He saved the day by downloading another copy on the laptop, YEAH for my techy husband.
Took a walk in the rain in late afternoon down to the beach, because of all the construction going a lot of muddy areas to hop and skip through. Being the third day of Carnival there were still colourful tents and lots of people celebrating down on the beaches. Today pretty well back to normal with our gardener coming around on his moped and machete dealing with what he believes is unruly plants. The sounds of cement being mixed by hand the old fashioned way and also rebar for house footings being sawed with a hack saw and bent to shape by hand. All strange to us but this is the way the Ecuadorians do it.
Met Yves just down the street, he is part of the project very nice gentleman, down to earth and loves life here. Noticed a very cute beige dog on his patio and inquired is it safe to pet a stray. He told us they are strays but domestic strays, Ecuadorians have dumped them off because they have gotten too big or have had too many puppies. They have been adopted by the people that live here and also have a Vet that comes here and examines all the dogs and gives their necessary shots. I only have a night shot of 2 of the dogs that came to visit us and have been having a hard time finding them during the day.

Today we did the trek to the corner store to pick up a few necessary things, ie beer, icicles, chips and meat for supper. For $9.00 got a filet migon (I know spelling might be off) about 2 inches thick and enough for 2 meals not bad for a corner store. After lunch spent the afternoon in the pool, beautiful area with all the gardens, tables, umbrellas and lounging chairs. This where we met 3 English couples which was a nice change to all the French people the live here. Chatted and laughed for about 3 hours really nice people. One couple reside there all year round, another couple just had a three story house built and are in the process of decorating, they will stay there about 5 months a year and rent the rest to recoup their money and another couple that purchase a lot and will start building next year hoping that the dollar will be better.
After an almost perfect sunset and supper on the patio we skyped Jen and family and had a great chat with them, also saw Monte my kitty. Tomorrow it is off to Manta, another adventure, stayed tuned…..

Saturday night went to the pub (The KokoMo) for supper, fish and chips and 3 large beer, delicious and only $17.95, pretty good price. It is quite small with a huge Montreal Canadians sign on the back wall and all kinds of masks on other walls; yes the owners are from Montreal. Felt a little out of place only English speaking people in the place but they did have an English side to the menu.
The gardens are absolutely beautiful, and the pool and area around are huge and gorgeous. So besides beach walking, swimming, collecting sea shells (although have decided not to bring any home, using them to decorate the gardens around our house Casa Isabela, just vegging and enjoying the weather and surroundings. Sure beats shoveling snow.
Whenever we take our beach walks we bring a plastic bag with us to pick up all the pieces of ropes, nets that have drifted into shore, it is really upsetting to see what people, have tossed into the ocean,I suppose from boats. It is nothing to see tires, bottles, chunks of wood huge piles that have drifted to shore.

A huge festival in Ecuador is Carnival it is held during the week before Lent. We thought it would be more fun to walk down to the beach where about 400 Ecuadorians were celebrating, drinking, eating, playing soccer, playing in the surf and just having a blast. An awesome experience.

We have booked 2 days to go to the Pacoche jungle where we will see different types of monkeys including the howler monkey and about 300 species of birds, Leo will definitely be in his element.