As Hallie and I are still friends and have a great amount of respect for each other we decided this trip was too good not to be shared. I hope you enjoy it. Ecuador is one of the best countries I've ever been too and I've been able to go twice.
I added some of the prices of goods
because to me part of being able to relax is not having to pawn my arm to afford an enjoyable trip. This was a
truly relaxing trip for Hallie and I. We had both returned from
Afghanistan, made major moves to a new state along with a new job
change for each of us. This was a time for relaxing!
We started our trek in San Antonio, TX,
flying to Houston and from Houston (where I walked around making fart
noises) we landed in Quito at around 11pm. We did not change time
zones which is nice. For those of you who don't know Ecuador is on
the Equator (who would have guessed) and is on the Pacific side of
South America. Ecuador is bordered by Columbia, Peru and the Pacific
Ocean. Ecuador has the famous Galapagos Islands and is where the
oddly named Panamanian Hat originated.
Upon arrival we exited the aircraft up
a long ramp at a fairly drastic angle. I think they put the ramp at
a big angle so that you quickly realize that you are at 9350ft. Yes
my Colorado people we landed in a city much higher than the Mile High
City. Can you imagine playing football there? We made to an area
overlooking customs and stood while the line died down. For a
business idea I'd like to set up shop selling drinks and marijuana
brownies here as the wait was a good 2 hours and then we had a 30
minute ride to our B and B. We didn't get to bed until 0230, but we
slept well.
The B and B Tumbaco was quiet when we
showed up, our cabin was lit up on the outside and the curtains we
had were somewhat sheer. I never figured out how to turn those
lights off. Despite the light and the extremely hard bed we slept
like rocks. We went up to the main house for breakfast at 0900. We
were met by two very friendly Ecuadorian women who spoke zero English
and understood even less. Between Hallie's Spanish and my strange
gesturing we managed. I had fruit, yogurt and bread with jam both
mornings and Hallie had eggs with tomatoes and onions, and bread with
jam. We also had freshly squeezed mango juice and coffee. The
coffee was nice and strong and that matters!
B and B Tambuco main
First Morning at the B and B
Tambuco
B and B Tambuco garden
area
The main house was wide open with large
tiles, wood beamed ceilings, plants large windows, built in shelving
and even a wine cellar. The back of the house had a beautiful garden
with pool, sauna and whirlpool. The owners didn't want those
amenities used unless they were informed before hand. We were so
busy in Quito that we didn't bother with the hassle.
Our Cabin at B and B Tambuco
That morning we went to Old Town Quito
and walked around the square people watching (Hallie and I both share
a love for people watching) and looking at the old well kept
architectural structures. Quito was the first city to be called a
World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1978 and when you are there
you realize why. The structures from the streets to the Catholic
churches are amazing.
Here is a museum and church we visited:
Church Dome From Museum Roof
We had a meal outside of the museum.
We sat out on the patio under an umbrella people watching, enjoying
the temperate weather and great conversation. The food was art for
the palate and the beer was cold.
The cafe outside the
museum
After talking to Gerrit the owner of B
and B Tambuco we figured out places to try to find good weather on
the coast. Armed with some local information I went to searching for
flights to the coast. We were limited because we were buying tickets
less than 24 hours before our flight. Despite that fact our tickets
were less than $150 a piece. I first bought tickets to the wrong
place, after discovering that I could not get through to the
airlines. I was tired and annoyed with myself, thankfully Hallie was
laid back and not kicking me in the nuts about it. We slept and the
next morning armed with renewed energy I was able to change the
tickets for zero cost. Simply amazing. We flew out at 3pm to
Guayaquil. Can you imagine the airlines in the U.S. giving us that
kind of treatment? It was a wonderful surprise.
We took a taxi to Quito, had lunch at
the airport and took a short flight to Guayaquil. Both of us seemed
to sense that we were in a new world at the airport. It was
confirmed by our taxi driver and the drive to our hostel, Casa De
Romeo. The hostel itself is two apartments in an apartment building.
The place was clean and well run by the ladies that checked us in
and out. The people in Guayaquil were not the quaint, humble, warm
people of Quito.
We decided to leave Guayaquil as soon
as possible so after checking in we looked at a map and then looked
at cities on the coast close to Guayaquil. We found Playa and
Salinas. After more research on Trip Advisor we sent emails to a
hostel in each city and because Andie said she could arrange a taxi
from door step to door step for $45 we decided on Salinas. BTW Trip
Advisor is amazing and anyone can find what they are looking for by
reading the experiences of others. We knew what we wanted and we
sensed that Big Ralph's Hostel and Restaurant was for us. It was a
block from the beach, it was run by a family, the Ralph was a British
chef, Andie a local.
We still had a night in Guayaquil and
we decided to make the best of it. We took a walk along the Malecon
and enjoyed dinner on the roof of a quaint little restaurant. We,
again, were surprised by the price. Hallie had a rice and shrimp
meal, I had rib eye and for an appetizer we had nachos. They had a
whole steak cut up on them, cheese, sour cream, olives and jalapenos.
The nachos were a meal. We had three beers each and paid under $50
for the meal in the biggest city in Ecuador on the boardwalk. WOW!
Sweaty at the top of Las Penas
After dinner we decided to take a walk
to Las Penas. Las Penas is a walk up 444 steps to a lighthouse and a
church. It seems every major sight in Ecuador has or is a church.
We walked down the Malecon and down a narrow cobblestone street where
we found a gallery. We bought three paintings, two of which look
like the area we bought them in. The more I look at the paintings
the more I like them and I loved them the moment I laid eyes on them.
Cobblestone Art Street
We believed we could sense from our
research that Andie and Ralph would be great people. We were right,
thankfully they were incredible people, Ralph married a lovely
Ecuadorian woman and the entire family was warm and welcomed us with
open arms.
The Amazing Ralph, Andie and Family
Salinas was the highlight of our trip
and much of it had to do with Ralph and his family. We took many
beach walks, ate at a few nice places none that could compete with
Ralph's. Carlos, Ralph's father in law, took us to Puntilla De Santa
Ellana to see seals, La Chocolatera to see the furthest western point
of Ecuador and to the Del Mar Museum. The first two places are on
the Ecuador Air Force, Navy base. Carlos works there so we were
privy to two sights that most tourists will never see. We had a
great time even though we speak very little Espanol and he spoke even
less English.
On Military Base
Salinas Beach
Museum Restaurant
Goofing off on base
On base
Hallie and Carlos on Base
Salinas sand castle
Look at the size of that! One kid did this
Sea shells Salinas
The day we flew back to Quito we woke
up had breakfast prepared by Ralph, visited with the family,
exchanged information, said our good byes before Ralph and Andie took
their daughter to dance lessons. Hallie and I then went for a walk
down the beach. After that we showered, went around the corner for
some ice cream and then hopped in the van for a ride back to
Guayaquil. We had lunch at the airport while waiting for the flight,
the lunch was cheap as usual and the seats comfortable. We flew to
Quito and stayed at the Best Western Palace and Casino.
Best Western Palace 3 a.m. Hallie may kill me for this one
The Best Western Palace and Casino
Quito is not your run of the mill U.S. Best Western. It is a 3 to 4
star hotel. A bit out of date, but classically done and for us that
never goes out of style. It had character, great art, flowers, and
good furniture.
I ordered room service:
2 orders of fajitas, 1 plate of fruit,
1 plate of fried bananas, 2 tres leches cakes (3 milks cake) and all
of that was under $50. The fajitas were delicious and we even sort
of drank the juice like a soup after we finished. Hallie was stuffed
and I was satisfied.
Our view from the room was of the
biggest park in Quito and of the city and a nice hill side community
further off. The view was beautiful in the light and also in the
dark. The bed, living space and bathroom were comfortable and well
done. The room cost under $100 and was fairly close to the airport.
From time to time I am a big fan of luxury in lieu of character.
This place had both luxury and character in my opinion.
Angel on hill Quito
Hallie was the best travel partner I've
ever had. She was realistic, easy going, and positive. I spent
seven days with a woman who made every experience better. Not once
did I wish I had privacy or time alone. Not once did I think the
trip would have been more enjoyable alone, our experiences were
enhanced by each others company. Hallie and I remain friends and are
living amazing lives. I've moved to Savannah, GA my favorite U.S.
City, she lives in Texas and recently closed on a house.
Ecuador is what is right in the world.
The people are warm and friendly, there are so many fruit trees that
anyone can eat for free. The homeless all work doing something,
anything to earn money. The weather is temperate, in a half an hour
plane ride you can be at the ocean or in the Andes Mountains.
Looks awesome. I would like to go down there one day.
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