Hola Amigos! We finally got out of the city today and in to the countryside on our way to Salinas beach. We saw more of the rural side of Ecuador including banana plantations and cattle farms. We traveled through some very poor areas where people are living on 6-7' platforms surrounded by that flimsy bamboo fencing stuff. Apparently the houses are platforms because it rains constantly during the rainy season. The entire area that we saw has been deforested in the past and most of the regrowth is invasive vine species with some trees and grasslands. This part of Ecuador is more dry savanna than tropic rain forest. We did stop at the San Vicente hot springs on the way to the beach where they had one hot pool, one lukewarm pool and a cold mud pool. The girls enjoyed the mud pool (surprise, surprise).
The beach was very nice except for the constant approaches from the local "salespeople" selling junk. We all knew this was going to happen so we just said "no gracias" A LOT. The weather was warm and cloudy and the water was coolish. The cool ocean current is definitely making its appearance here. Didn't stop us from swimming and burying each other in the sand. Lots of fun.
We are definitely having to use the few Spanish words we know more and more. Luckily Hannah can speak pretty well and has been getting us through when we order food or need to find a bano.
Hailey here, today was fun and relaxing. The hot-springs were really fun with the mud bath and the pools, and the beach was a BLAST! The water was perfect and the sand was fun to play in. Looking forward to our shopping day in Ecudaor tommarow. Adios!
Buenos noches. As I write this, it's Lisa now, it is about 10:30pm. We had a full day traveling to Salinas a small beach resort town at the end of a peninsula on the coast. Again traveling through some of the poorer parts of Guayaquil and then through some affluent developments on our way to Salinas made it very interesting. The developments looked so much like some of the newer housing developments in Davis even! Pretty funny!!! The vegetation was definately dry - trees and cactus dotted the landscape. The hot springs were very interesting! It was like a compound of domed pools and an open mud bath. You'll have to check out all the pics!
Tomorrow I've got a swim workout and then we all spend the day shopping in some outdoor markets and in an older area in Guayaquil that is up a hill. I hear we have to climb over 400 stairs to reach the top - a lighthouse - should be fun in the nice warm, humid climate!! Saturday is our meet and once that's over I'll feel a little more relaxed!
More later...
Adios
Oh yea, we've posted a link to some of our pics on Picassa on the upper right of our blog. So go and take a look when you get a chance.
3 comments:
Buenos Dias! We are loving the daily trip reports and photos. Makes us feel like we are with you. The mud pool pictures of Hannah are a favorite!
Missing all of you! Love, J9 and Kaija (Hal is working, so hasn't seen the blog yet)
Hi Family, We are luvin' your travelogue! With the pics and comments it seems like we are all right there with you. Sorry to hear Hailey barfed, but good to hear Hannah can help you out with Spanish translation. Stay well, be safe and enjoy every day. We look forward to your next blog. Love, Mom/Grandma Marilyn
Hey guys!
it sounds like you are having a fabulous time. Nice mud picture hannah, haha, looks like fun! i cant wait to see you all in a couple of weeks!
--Katelyn(kboooooob)
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