The Rest of the Story
Well the first two parts of the story regarding our trip to the coast tell about all of the good aspects of our trip and how much we enjoyed ourselves. Now for the rest of the story . . . the bad parts.
During our time in Salinas a couple of mishaps occurred.
The first one happened when I was in the shower. The shower has an electric component above the shower head that gives you instant hot water. And I think everyone knows that you should never mix electricity and water. During my shower, the electric hot water component blew up with a loud explosion and a bright flash, followed by a scream from me. Mike was standing outside waiting for me to come to the door to let him in. He heard the shower running so he knew it would take a couple of minutes for me to open the door. But when he heard the loud explosion, saw the bright flash and heard me scream, he became very concerned. I yelled to him that I was OK and that the how water thing blew up. He said what?! And guess what - it happened a second time. The loud explosion, the bright flash, and my scream. By this time, Mike was really concerned, but I told him I was OK; I didn't get shocked. By this time, I turned off the shower - the water was cold by this time anyway. So that was the excitement for that day. I later learned that these instant hot water heaters in the showers are affectionately called "widow makers"! We told the management and they repaired the unit. I think they should have replaced the whole thing or moved us to another room, but everything turned out OK. I was lucky I didn't get hurt. I was afraid that it was going to catch fire, but it didn't. I had Mike take the next shower to make sure it was working OK, and it was!
The second thing occurred while we were on a walk. You must always be careful when walking in Ecuador because the sidewalks are in such bad condition that you could really get hurt. Some of the curbs are really high also. Well, I misjudged a curb and fell. I fell into a wall and hurt my left shoulder, ribs, hip and knee. I have never fallen so badly that I couldn't get up, but I couldn't because it hurt so much. I was afraid that I had broken some ribs or really hurt my shoulder. There was a car going by and they stopped to see if they could help me. They called an ambulance for me which came withing five minutes. I got to the hospital within 10 minutes and was seen by a doctor immediately. They took four x-rays (shoulder, ribs, and neck) and amazingly, nothing was broken. The doctor gave me prescriptions for pain pills and we were back in our hotel room within two hours of the accident. I was starting to feel better so we went out for some dinner. You feel so stupid when you do something like that but that's why they call it an accident, because who would plan something like that. It's been a week since the accident and I am much better now. We went on a long walk today to the downtown area and I was really careful watching as I walked.
Well, that's the end of the story and we are doing just fine. I think we've had enough excitement for awhile!
Hasta Luego,
Patty
Monday, September 27, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Our Trip to the Coast (Part 2 of 3)
Salinas
After leaving Montanita, we headed south to the coastal town of Salinas, about 90 minutes away. The weather was wonderful; not humid, the sun was shining and there was a coastal breeze.
Here are pictures of the beach.
We stayed at the Hostal Coco right across the street from the beach. It was a beautiful hotel. We stayed nine nights and we had a continental breakfast each morning. The cost of the room was $40 per night. Here are pictures of the hotel.
We made friends with a couple from Canada and also a couple from New Hampshire. They were learning all they could about what life would be like in Ecuador and were also looking for property that was either for rent or for sale.
Here is a picture of all of us in the outdoor restaurant at Hostal Coco.
The realtor that was showing these couples around was the same one featured on the House Hunters International program which aired on Tuesday, Sept. 21st. We saw the properties that were on the show and also met the couple featured on the program who bought a condo on the beach in Salinas.
Our driver came back to Salinas and drove us back home to Cuenca. We had a good time at the beach but I like Cuenca better. There's more to do here and the food is much better.
Stay tuned for the last part of the story.
After leaving Montanita, we headed south to the coastal town of Salinas, about 90 minutes away. The weather was wonderful; not humid, the sun was shining and there was a coastal breeze.
Here are pictures of the beach.
We stayed at the Hostal Coco right across the street from the beach. It was a beautiful hotel. We stayed nine nights and we had a continental breakfast each morning. The cost of the room was $40 per night. Here are pictures of the hotel.
We made friends with a couple from Canada and also a couple from New Hampshire. They were learning all they could about what life would be like in Ecuador and were also looking for property that was either for rent or for sale.
Here is a picture of all of us in the outdoor restaurant at Hostal Coco.
The realtor that was showing these couples around was the same one featured on the House Hunters International program which aired on Tuesday, Sept. 21st. We saw the properties that were on the show and also met the couple featured on the program who bought a condo on the beach in Salinas.
Our driver came back to Salinas and drove us back home to Cuenca. We had a good time at the beach but I like Cuenca better. There's more to do here and the food is much better.
Stay tuned for the last part of the story.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Our Trip to the Coast (Part 1 of 3)
Montanita
We took a two week trip to the southern coast of Ecuador to see what we could see. We had our friend drive us to Montanita on Sunday, Sept. 12th. We left at 6am and arrived at our hotel (Swiss Point) around 2pm. Driving through the Cajas Mountains just west of Cuenca took two hours and the scenery was beautiful and we were blessed with sunshine which is rare at 12,000 feet.
Here are pictures of the hotel we stayed at. It was managed by a young couple (Patrick and Isabel) and their two-year-old son (Patrick Jr.). The husband is from Switzerland and the wife is from Ecuador. We choose this hotel to stay at because it is off the main path and away from the party scene. (Yeah I know, we're old fogies!) They served an excellent Swiss-style breakfast each morning in the upstairs restaurant enclosed with windows all around.
We stayed at the Swiss Point for three nights. During the day, we walked around the small town and walked on the beach. This is a surfing town and even though this was the low season, it was packed with young people just hanging out. These are pictures of the different styles of restaurants and hotels in the main downtain area of Montanita.
There were also the surfers.
We enjoyed walking to the beach and walking on the beach even though the sun never did appear. We walked in a light mist most of the time but even that didn't detract from the beauty of the ocean.
Mike made a special friend on the beach.
Because it was so damp and humid we cut our time short at Montanita and on Wednesday, Sept. 15th we headed south to Salinas. (Part 2 forthcoming)
We took a two week trip to the southern coast of Ecuador to see what we could see. We had our friend drive us to Montanita on Sunday, Sept. 12th. We left at 6am and arrived at our hotel (Swiss Point) around 2pm. Driving through the Cajas Mountains just west of Cuenca took two hours and the scenery was beautiful and we were blessed with sunshine which is rare at 12,000 feet.
Here are pictures of the hotel we stayed at. It was managed by a young couple (Patrick and Isabel) and their two-year-old son (Patrick Jr.). The husband is from Switzerland and the wife is from Ecuador. We choose this hotel to stay at because it is off the main path and away from the party scene. (Yeah I know, we're old fogies!) They served an excellent Swiss-style breakfast each morning in the upstairs restaurant enclosed with windows all around.
We stayed at the Swiss Point for three nights. During the day, we walked around the small town and walked on the beach. This is a surfing town and even though this was the low season, it was packed with young people just hanging out. These are pictures of the different styles of restaurants and hotels in the main downtain area of Montanita.
There were also the surfers.
We enjoyed walking to the beach and walking on the beach even though the sun never did appear. We walked in a light mist most of the time but even that didn't detract from the beauty of the ocean.
Mike made a special friend on the beach.
Because it was so damp and humid we cut our time short at Montanita and on Wednesday, Sept. 15th we headed south to Salinas. (Part 2 forthcoming)
Monday, September 13, 2010
We´re at the Beach!
After a five and a half hour drive from Cuenca, we arrived at the beach city of Montanita. Montanita is known for being one of the two surfing meccas in Ecuador. Our drive took us through the Cajas National Park, which is part of the Andes at 12,000 feet at the peak. The scenery was magnificant (sorry no pictures) as we viewed waterfalls, lakes, and high-mountain scenery. We´ll have pictures on the trip home.
We´re blogging from an Internet Cafe as there is no internet in our hotel room; therefore our blogging will not be as often on this trip or as complete as we would like.
Our plans are to stay a week in this area and then to go onto to Salinas which is a beach city about 20 miles south and resembles a miniature Miami Beach, compared to Montanita which reminds us of surf city without the tourist attactions. (Think Southern California beaches in the 40´s!)
One thing missing so far is that the sun isn´t shining, but it is still winter here until December, then things change.
We´re blogging from an Internet Cafe as there is no internet in our hotel room; therefore our blogging will not be as often on this trip or as complete as we would like.
Our plans are to stay a week in this area and then to go onto to Salinas which is a beach city about 20 miles south and resembles a miniature Miami Beach, compared to Montanita which reminds us of surf city without the tourist attactions. (Think Southern California beaches in the 40´s!)
One thing missing so far is that the sun isn´t shining, but it is still winter here until December, then things change.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Mansion Alcazar
On Monday, we were in pursuit of a unique dessert we've heard about here in Latin America called "maracuya", which is a passion fruit creme brulee. Mike went on the internet and found it on the menu at the fashionable Mansion Alcazar Boutique Hotel on Simon Bolivar between Tarqui and Juan Montalvo. Their website is: http://mansionalcazar.com/.
We had business in town so we walked to the boutique hotel from the post office. Here are pictures taken during our trek to the hotel.
Flower Market
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
Indigenous woman on a cell phone!
When first arriving at the hotel, you know you're in for a treat by the rich-looking entrance way and the requirement to be let in after ringing the door bell. Upon entering the mansion, we are greeted by an English-speaking hostess who ascertained that we were not looking to stay there but were looking for the Casa Alonso Gourmet Restaurant.
We were escorted through the mansion's parlor into the restaurant area, as the following pictures show.
These pictures are taken from our table as we look at the view outside at the lush landscaped grounds.
We decided to have appetizers, soup and dessert. The following pictures show my appetizer which was a shrimp-stuffied ravioli with mushrooms and spinach, and Mike had the house salad.
The next course was the soup. I had the quinoa soup with bacon,and Mike had the locros de papas soup, which is an Ecuadorian potato soup with cheese and avocado. Both were very good.
The last course was the desserts. I had the apple pastry, and Mike had three different creme brulees, which consisted of the standard vanilla version, a guayaba brulee, and the best of all the maracuya brulee (passion fruit). The guayaba was sweet, and the maracuya was sweet and tart at the same time, and was his favorite.
The following pictures show the outside grounds, which are very lush and beautiful. Just imagine what the mansion must have been like when the Alcazar family lived here. The boutique hotel has eleven rooms, all decorated in a different theme.
We had business in town so we walked to the boutique hotel from the post office. Here are pictures taken during our trek to the hotel.
Flower Market
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
Indigenous woman on a cell phone!
When first arriving at the hotel, you know you're in for a treat by the rich-looking entrance way and the requirement to be let in after ringing the door bell. Upon entering the mansion, we are greeted by an English-speaking hostess who ascertained that we were not looking to stay there but were looking for the Casa Alonso Gourmet Restaurant.
We were escorted through the mansion's parlor into the restaurant area, as the following pictures show.
These pictures are taken from our table as we look at the view outside at the lush landscaped grounds.
We decided to have appetizers, soup and dessert. The following pictures show my appetizer which was a shrimp-stuffied ravioli with mushrooms and spinach, and Mike had the house salad.
The next course was the soup. I had the quinoa soup with bacon,and Mike had the locros de papas soup, which is an Ecuadorian potato soup with cheese and avocado. Both were very good.
The last course was the desserts. I had the apple pastry, and Mike had three different creme brulees, which consisted of the standard vanilla version, a guayaba brulee, and the best of all the maracuya brulee (passion fruit). The guayaba was sweet, and the maracuya was sweet and tart at the same time, and was his favorite.
The following pictures show the outside grounds, which are very lush and beautiful. Just imagine what the mansion must have been like when the Alcazar family lived here. The boutique hotel has eleven rooms, all decorated in a different theme.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Awesome Sunday
Today began with an early morning outing to the Kookaburra Cafe to meet another couple for breakfast. As it turned out, the other couple wasn't able to make it but we had a good breakfast which was the start of a great day. Here are pictures of the restaurant which is owned by an Australian couple, Chris and Jenny. There are also two suites in the back for guests to stay in.
Jenny talking with a couple of customers
Chris making hot chocolate for me
Jenny talking with a couple of customers
Chris making hot chocolate for me
Meditation Garden
After breakfast, we walked to church. It took about 45 minutes which was longer than it should because I stopped to take pictures along the way. We arrived at church about ten minutes early anyway. Here are pictures of the sights along the way to church on Avenida Fray Vicente Solano.
After breakfast, we walked to church. It took about 45 minutes which was longer than it should because I stopped to take pictures along the way. We arrived at church about ten minutes early anyway. Here are pictures of the sights along the way to church on Avenida Fray Vicente Solano.
Fruit stand selling fresh pineapple and watermelon
Our bank (Banco Pichincha)
Making some extra money
Colegio Benigno Malo
A beautiful home
Our hospital (Monte Sinai)
Here are pictures of our church, Calvary Chapel of Cuenca. Mike and I met at a Calvary Chapel in California, so we were pleasantly surprised to find a Calvary Chapel in Cuenca!
Here are pictures of our church, Calvary Chapel of Cuenca. Mike and I met at a Calvary Chapel in California, so we were pleasantly surprised to find a Calvary Chapel in Cuenca!
Mike with Pastor Fredy
We have been warmly welcomed into the church family. Most of the members speak only Spanish but some do speak some English. The music and sermon are in Spanish, but we can follow along as the words of the songs are illuminated onto a screen. This will be a good reason to learn Spanish.
After church, we decided to catch a cab and go to the Inca Lounge for lunch. It is on the river and the pictures show the surrounding area. Also, we were invited back into the kitchen where a master sushi chef was teaching the kitchen staff how to make sushi. Luckily, I had my camera with me.
After church, we decided to catch a cab and go to the Inca Lounge for lunch. It is on the river and the pictures show the surrounding area. Also, we were invited back into the kitchen where a master sushi chef was teaching the kitchen staff how to make sushi. Luckily, I had my camera with me.
It was delicious!
The outside eating area at the Inca Lounge
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