Puerto Lopez y Amampe

North of Ayampe sits Puerto Lopez, a decent sized fishing town mixed with a slice of tourism.  Quite the scene to watch all the boats unloading their catch of the day.  A strong back is a definate requirement for belonging to the fishing industry in Puerto Lopez.  The fish are taken from the boats in tubs, carried on a shoulder to sorting, cleaning, packing tables.  Box trucks, full with tubs packed with fish and ice, head inland to distribute the fresh catch.  

As with all other locations visited, the sunsets in Puerto Lopez are amazing.

The Party Goes On

Although Santa Marianita has a typically arid climate, it is still subject to unusual weather like every other location in the world.  The day before one of the countries biggest celebrations of the year, ¨"Carnival" they received torrential rains which washed out huge sections of the beach and road, taking several down several power poles as well. 

 But the Ecuadorians are resiliant and were not about to let a little rain spoil their party on the beach.  They packed the beach for 4 days straight, and it was quite the sight.  Everyone there had a smile on, and were happy to be able to spend the time with family and friends.  I can say with all honesty that for the entirety of Carnival I never witnessed one single conflict, which is something considering all the beer consumed.  A great time was had by all, and I would highly recommend a visit during this time.

Properties for sale

Here is the view from a hilltop lot

Some undeveloped terraced beach lots

Terraced development in the works

After looking at several different land, housing options, and talking with the local expat community here in Santa Marianita have come to a couple of conclusions.  As a result of being so close to all the amenities of Manta, the price of raw land here is quite high now, driven by expats willing to spend excess amounts.  It appears that the good deals were done about 4-5 years ago. They sell it by the square meter now ($35 for hilltop to $100 for right on the beach).   Will be interesting to find out how far you have to get from Manta before the prices start to decline.  With regards to the cost of living here, it can be done on a very small budget.  A good seafood meal will cost you between $3-5 and all the local fruits and vegetables are very inexpensive.  Anything imported, packaged, processed will cost you as much or more than at home.

Land shopping - Santa Marianita

Have been here in Santa Marianita now for about a week, and really do enjoy the vibe.  Definately an older, more mature, family oriented crowd here versus the backpackers in Canoa.  During the week you can often claim huge sections of the beautiful beach as your own.  The weekends are a little busier, but still very relaxed in comparison.  The city of Manta,which has all the amenities, is a quick 15 minute drive away, and really gives you the feeling that while here anything you need is at your fingertips.  For these reasons I thought I would do a little property shopping.

South to Santa Marianita

Feb 6: After some quality time on 3 separate buses, and a short taxi ride, I made it to Santa Marianita this afternoon.  Obviously should have researched a little further, because upon arriving here I found it is the wrong season for kite-surfing and windsurfing.  But it was meant to be, for as soon as I walked into the second housing option (there are only 2, the first was too expensive) I was greeted by 4 dogs.  All extremely friendly, well fed, and groomed.  Amazing how something so small can make you feel at home.

The owner is not here at present, so I was greeted by Dennis, an Ecuadorian student, currently in-between semesters in Germany.  He stays here helping, in return for free board.  As his schedule is not very pressing he said he would be glad to help me with my Spanish.  Is very quiet here as the only other guest is leaving tomorrow morning.  There are 2 beautiful suites on the bottom floor and smaller rooms upstairs with kitchen area, computer, bathroom.  Will see how it goes, but if he is a good teacher may stay here for a bit.

Feb 7: Had my first spanish lesson with Dennis last night and it went well.  Dennis speaks excellent English and I believe he will be better than my teacher in Quito.  We did the lesson out on the deck, with the only intrusion being the sound of the waves crashing (they are quite big here).  We agreed on a price of $6 per hour, and he was quiet happy with that (I probably could have got him to $5), but he really is a nice fellow.  His family run a little dairy inland with about 60 head total (holstein x brahma).  Would be interesting to see but it is a ways to go.

It is very quiet here, except for the waves.  Sounds like it will remain like this until Carnival which starts on the 18,or 19 and runs for 4 days.  It is $15 per night, which includes kitchen, TV (spanish), unlimited internet, and laundry.  There is a truck to Manta that you can hop on for $1, so will most likely head in and grab some groceries, as I think I may stay for a while.

Map showing Santa Marianita (it is just south of Manta on the coast)
Link to map

Canoa, A Small, Quiet Surfing Town

Jan 31: The main street in front of the beach in Canoa (photo right). Although dirt, they are very diligent at keeping it clean, as well as the beach.   On the weekend, it was quite busy, but on the week it is very quiet, not what I had expected for their "High Season".

Went to the Surf Shak yesterday and rented a board for a week.  Took out a shorter one first and basically got my ass kicked.  Took out a bigger one in the afternoon and it was much better.  My goal for the week is to be able to get up on the short board.  Met a part owner of the Surf Shak (Peter from Colorado).  Has been down here for years (early 40s) and is now starting to get into some real estate.  He agreed to take me on a tour tomorrow morning, so will be able to get a better feel on the area.

It really does take a little bit to get used to being here.
Everything is at such a slow pace.  There is no rush for anything. Everything gets done, just not at the pace we are used to. I have met several travellers along the way buy most are early 20´s, so most are quick visits.

Canoa Beach - View From Hotel

A horizon sunset shot.  The sun drops around 6:35pm but stays light till around 7, at which time the mosquitos start coming out.  Pretty easy to be here with little variance in temp and always shorts weather.

Ahhhhh.... Canoa

Note from Rhonda: This is an excerpt from email from Alan... hoping he will edit and add photos soon!

When they said that the weather does not wary much here, they were telling the truth.  Yesterday was beautiful, although I did manage to get a little pink (yes, I am using sunblock).  You do have to be extremely cautious with the amount of time you spend in the sun.

Last night was great. It stayed warm, only required a light sheet on the bed.  The ocean breeze keeps it from getting too humid in the room (paid $12 for a nice room, nice double bed, nice pillows, hot water, on the beach). Actually slept in this morning for the first time in Ecuador.  No traffic, no horns, no obtrusive noise, mostly just birds and ocean breeze.  Is quite calming compared to Quito.  Had a huge plate of
fresh lightly battered shrimp with rice last night for $4.  Probably could have found it cheaper but it was in the restaurant at my hotel on the beach.  A cold 600ml Pilsener beer costs $1.50 right on the beach. Am taking my first surfing lesson this afternoon, so that should be entertaining.

First impression of Canoa is that it is just a quiet, little surf and beach playground.  There are more people here than I thought would be, but it is also the weekend and I think there are a lot of locals that
come and stay for a couple days.  The beach sand is not white, but it is very nice, fine and clean.  They work to keep it quite clean and it is evident.  First thing this morning they had a crew of guys out
sweeping the dirt streets after last nights party.  There is definitely a more African flair to the party atmosphere here (music and dancing), but quite nice to listen to.  Canoa is nice but thusfar all I have seen are hostels,restaurants, a couple surf shacks, gift shops, and artisans selling their goods.

Will look around more this afternoon.

Country north of Quito

You can see in the photo the slope of some of the hills that the locals farm

Quito: Time To Move On

Jan 23: Have been keeping busy here.  Saturday went on a school tour to Otavalo (animal market and goods mercado)  What an eye opener.  Any kind of animal, any size, pretty crazy.  The big market was really something to see.  All kinds of goods (beautiful llama products) really cheap.  Really tempting to buy a bunch of stuff, buy don´t want to drag it around for 2 months.  May try and make it there again before fly home. After Otavalo, went to Cotacachi (all kinds of leather shops) and then to a volcanic lake and a waterfall.  Left Quito at 7AM and got back at 7:30pm. Below is a map of Ecuador showing the places I've visited.


View Ecuador 2012 in a larger map

Sunday I walked to the old part of Quito city with a guy from Switzerland who got in at 1AM that morning.  Old Quito was pretty nice, lots of huge churches and big open squares.  We had a 3 course lunch along the way and it cost us $1.75 each.  Pretty nice guy from Switzerland, he is here for 2 weeks as well.

Jan 25: I just finished a spanish session, and I can tell you with 100% certainty that it feels at times like my head is going to explode.  The sessions are great for learning but are extremely draining, and the last couple nights have not slept well as a result of barking dogs, traffic noise, and loud music.

General impression of Quito - the people are all good, quite timid for the most part, and willing to help if you can ask the right question.  The city itself (New Quito) is a loud, bustling place with constant traffic noise, complete disregard for exhaust pollution, and like Mexico has no issue with dogs wandering the streets & sidewalks doing their business at will.  If it were not for the quality of the Spanish schooling I would have left the city already.  So will try and atain as much as possible in the next 7 days of schooling and then gladly hop a bus for a more quiet area. 

Jan 26: Well today I made the decision to depart from Quito earlier than planned.  Have had enough of barking dogs, horns honking, exhaust pollution.  I depart for coast late tomorrow night on 7 hour bus ride.  Am quite looking forward to getting out of the city.  Really like my teacher but is not worth enduring all else.  Will see how the trip down the coast goes, and if i can find a good school.  If enough time I will possibly slide into Peru and see some ruins.

Why Ecuador?

Ecuador has been the #1 Retirement Country In The World for the past 2 years. Following are some of the reasons contributing to that... 

• Climate: On average the climate of North Central coast of Ecuador is very mild. Temperatures average 76°F (25°C) to 90°F (30°C).There are NEVER severe coastal storms in Ecuador.
• Medical Care: Ecuador has 1st world medical care available in Ecuador at unbelievably inexpensive prices.
• Currency: The U.S. Dollar is the standard currency in Ecuador.
• Language: Spanish, although many people want to practice their English too :) 
• Cost: LOW - there is a common misconception that you must have alot of money to live. Ecuador is one of those countries that stomps all over that myth. Paradise and luxury does not require monetary wealth.

  International Living magazine has called Ecuador the least expensive place on earth to retire.
  

Some notes above were obtained from the following website:
http://www.cocobeachvillage.com.ec/found.html
This fellow is an American who now lives full time in Ecuador and has real estate investment. His story was inspiring and affirmed what many others had also said.

Good FAQ's about Ecuador: http://www.cocobeachvillage.com.ec/faq.htm
- We think the prices are about 2009, and we'll update if we find out things have changed. 

Good article about "freedom" by this same fellow:
http://www.cocobeachvillage.com.ec/newsflash01.html

Will update this post as we find information to add :)

The First Couple Days...

Excerpt from email from Alan...

Well, it was a long day, but I finally made it here to Quito at about 1:30 am, Thursday morning.  Was stuck in Miami for a while and was more than ready to be out of there by the time we departed.  My ride was at the airport and everything went fine.  I am staying with a very nice family (Manuel & Nellie).  I am in a little 1 bedroom apartment that has all I need.  It is in a quiet neighborhood so that is nice. Very nice people everywhere,  helpful and friendly.  The adventure has begun.

Had my first class yesterday, and wow, gonna have to kick the old brain back into action!  Have a really nice instructor who is extremely keen to go once she found out I want to learn as much as possible in a short period.  I got the impression there are some at the school who are just kind of filling in time. 

Went shopping for a few items this mañana and it is really quite easy to get things done.  Everyone is very friendly and willing to help. Had to buy an umbrella as it is raining pretty good, and not looking to let up.

Here's a map showing Ecuador and Quito.

View Larger Map