Spent the night in Crucita. Got a little apartment half block from the beach. Place was called Wasimita (momma’s house). Patricio was a great host. Beach was nice, waves beat the heck out of me.
Crucita
Perdernales
This is a large agricultural town just north of the equator. In 2016 a 7.8 earthquake pretty much leveled the town and killed many people. Not a fancy town but a working town that I liked. Heading south on the highway was some of the prettiest water I have seen so far. Some very fancy resorts and some smaller hostels worth checking out later. The ocean was beautiful and not far from the road but with vegetation it was hard to take a picture. As you pass through a small village a sign says 0.00 degrees. You just passed over the equator. No big monuments like outside Quito. This is around the half way point between the biggest cities. Reminds me of the lost coast in northern California with it’s remoteness. I really likes this area.
San Clemente
Bahia
Mom had her 3 kids on the scooter. I have seen many families of 4 on small motorcycles but the scooter was a first,
Canoa
A favorite spot for Ecuadorians to vacation. The gentleman on the beach is Mauricio Quimbita my guide on this part of the journey.
Jama
Mompichi
Spent the night in Mompichi a fishing village with about 2000 people. My kind of town, the water is warm and sandy streets. North of town is a very nice all inclusive resort that costs $280 for 3 nights per person. Town is much cheaper. We paid $25 per person for a very nice room with a patio and hammock, pool, hot tub and breakfast. That was showing up on Saturday night with no reservation. There are much cheaper accommodations available. Back from the beach is a 14 room hostel, including restaurant/bar built in 2012 for $85,000 hmmmm. Very laid back village.
Sua
Went to Atacomes but it was such a madhouse ended up Sua. A friend said Atacomes was the happening place to be. If you want to get trampled I say! The first two pictures show Atacomes in the distance from the coastline in Sua. Not much beach but a whole lot less people.
Last full day in Quito
Thought I would update my latest. A few people have inquired about my dental experience.
I have not had such a pleasant dental experience ever. I was recommended Dental Solutions by an expat that lives here in Quito. It took longer to get an appointment than other places and it was worth it. Also I had to go back 4 times because they are very busy but did fit me in as soon as they could.
A little background. Before I left California I went to a very nice dental office in Auburn. They said I had 9 cavities that needed repair and needed 2 crowns. Quoted me $8000.00.
When I first met Talin Fernanda I thought wow she is so young and she’s still wearing braces. That did not last long as she was very professional and got down to my examination. When done she had found 9 cavities but said it was best to work on only 7 and explained that the other 2 would end up being more problematic later if done. When I asked her if I needed any crowns she got a puzzled look on her face. I told her the dentist in America said I needed 2. Her answer was that if she thought I needed crowns she would have said so. Then in detail explained how a crown works and said I had plenty of tooth to work with.
Her work was amazing. I never got any type of pain medication while she did her thing and more than once she laughed because I feel asleep in the chair. She did such a great job with the fillings I have to remind myself I had dental work done. It feels that natural. I consider her an artist in her profession. If you haven’t figured it out I was impressed. The added bonus it costs $330.00.
When booking an appointment she had an appointment book no computer. When I went to my appointment at 8am Saturday morning we were the only ones there when she started on me. How many dentist give you their cell phone numbers in the states. The service was first class. THANK YOU TALIN!
So heading to coast to do some exploring this next week. This last week in Quito I was just trying to learn about the people and what’s it like living here. You hear the expat side of life here but I am getting a Ecuadorian side also. Really opens your eyes. Even spent an evening with Venezuelan refuge that spoke good english. Her story was very interesting. Between the locals and the refuges it makes our lives in the states sound so easy.
Tell next time. Ya’all take care now ya hear!
Presidential Palace changing of the guard.
Every Monday at 9am the palace guards hand off responsibility of the palace. The band marches out of the palace. Then both the out and in going guards march into the square. They face each other the flag is raised. Everyone sings the national anthem and the sword is passed to the incoming. This something that is not done for the tourist but for the people of Ecuador. The presidents have come out during the ceremony to wave to the people from the palace balcony. Depends on how popular they, either cheers or boos. I really enjoyed it.
