The travel day from Puerto Lopez was an 8 hour day of travel mostly waiting. Johnny and his moto-taxi found me waiting for Javier at Hotel Pacific. I was checking my email one last time on the hotels wifi. Johnny found himself on Facebook so now I have two South American Facebook friends. He gave me a ride to
The hike and heat yesterday (and a not very good nights sleep) left me feeling low on energy today so the plan was to stay in Puerto Lopez at the pool and beach. On my walk through town this morning Johnny, my moto-taxi driver, suggested I take a trip to Agua Blanco. Theres a museum there and he said they
Hiro was one of our island guides today. While sitting next to me on the boat ride to the island I notice how small his feet were. In fact, I put my foot right up to his and they were about the same size. Later, on the island, we were walking to the beach together and I would guess I
Yamil was on the boat tour today and volunteered a couple of times to take my photograph. He also speaks great English, having studied for three years in New York. He was enrolled in a hotel and restaurant management program in 1995 and currently works in Quito for Swiss Hotels, a chain. Yamil is a runner and Id guess hes
Well practiced in his sales speech, Javier sells tours for Palo Santos. Hes 31, rides a motorcycle in town and literally seems to know everyone. The first time we met, he sold me on the tour and also recommended Los Frailes. He knows the ropes and has a charm about him. Or maybe its confidence. Between the two of us,
The days work was done by the time we got back. The sun was heading towards the horizon and with just an hour of daylight left, people were enjoying the beach. Kids playing soccer, adults getting exercise by running on the beach, others starting the weekend with a drink at one of the many hut-like bars that run at the
After the hike on Isla de la Plata, the guides got us back on the boat and served us lunch: watermelon, a slice of pineapple, two hot dog sized sandwiches (one tuna salad, the other ham and cheese), served with Coke. We ate while the boat moved to the snorkeling area. Without speaking Spanish I missed all the description. Medusa
Javier told me to show up about 9:30 AM for the tour. I was the first one there, two other chicas showing up shortly after I did. Although Javier told me the guides would speak English, neither of them did. So much for learning about the blue footed booby from my guide, Hiro. We walked the short distance from the
Javier, Isla de le Plata tour operator, recommended Los Frailes, a long, deep crescent of beautiful beach within the bounds of Machalilla Park. This park is made up of what they call dry forest. It looks like a bunch of dead scrub. I think of George Bush and Texas every time I see it. Los Frailes has the reputation of
The light rain kept me from swimming in the pool this morning. Instead, I hung in the hammock under a thatched roof shelter and read until it slowed to barely a sprinkle. My quest today was to find a tour to take me to Isla de la Plata, the Island of Silver. While walking down the street one of the