Month: September 2019

I had a great time in Ecuador. Made some good friends. In total I visited 7 provinces out of 23.

The few days that were between the coast and the Andes were especially beautiful. An hour inland I really liked the area around Jipijapa (pronounced hippiehapa to cool) and south. Lots of orchards and farm land. Nice weather and only an hour from the coast. Lomas de Sargentillo was celebrating 27 years of independence for the province. It was September 5th a Thursday, the whole town and province was shut down for the parade which was huge and great fun. Every school in the province had dancers and marching bands in the parade. Lots of smiles and laughter.

Driving through the village of Pilalo which was just below the clouds was very pictureqes. When exiting the clouds it was so different then other parts of the country I had been in. Small population with mostly indigenous people. Driving livestock down the middle of the road. Pack horses and mules are just tied together after dropping off their packs and sent home by themselves. Through Zumbahau into Quilotoa where the lake is in the crater of a volcano. Spent the night in Chugchilan which is the end of the road. Dark when we arrived and in the morning I watched parents walking their children to school. I could easily spend a month or two exploring this area.

All in all I would like to go back to do some more exploring of this country.

  

When I was here 10 years ago they said they were moving to a bigger location. This is a great museum. The collection is varied and well presented. Had many of my dream bikes. #1 SS-100 Brough, that would be fun on the cannon ball run. T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) rode Brough’s and that is how he died. I always wondered how he could afford Brough’s on an army salary. #2 Early Indian scout, #3 Ossa Desert Phantom. I have had 4 Ossa’s but never a phantom. Steve McQueen’s bike awesome. The Von Dutch stuff was super cool. Always saw the poster of Roadog growing up. Picture of Mann on his bike surrounded by his Easyrider painting. Just a fun place to stop in Anamosa Iowa.

So how many pictures can you take of sea lions, iguanas, birds, etc….  So take pictures of people taking pictures.

The blue footed Booby lives on a few islands off the coast of Ecuador.

Adriana our guide did a great job as did the crew. Juan- Captain, Cristian- captain’s assistant #1, Francisco- captain’s assistant #2, Enrique- engineer, Cristian- engineers assistant, Abel-chef, Jorge-chef’s assistant, and Oscar- the bartender.

You all made the trip a great experience, Mucho Gracias!

We had a great bunch on the Boat. From Norway, Poland, Canada, USA, England, Ireland, Israel, and Ecuador. We had some good laughs even though no one else saw the whales when I did. Smiles and hugs when all parted except from one. Ciera if you are reading this you are a big cry baby!

In San Crisobal where I fly out. We visited the tourist center then headed to town to depart. 6 peopled stayed on the island, 4 stayed on the boat for another week, and 4 of us flew back to the main land.

Took a bus into the highlands and visited a tortoise ranch. They are free to go and come as they please.

Woke up anchored in Puerto Ayora started from. Walked 3.5km to Torruga bay and a very nice beach.

This afternoon we were going to a tortoise breeding center and a walk to through some wet lands. After talking to Adrianna I ask to be let off the bus for the afternoon. Needed some time just to goof off in town. Had a beer, found a hammock and then found a beach. The national park has at least 12 good surfing beaches in 12km and I found one. Was a nice way to spend the afternoon.