This old relic doesn't look like it will be going anywhere fast though.
And this gentleman was selling strawberry ice cream sandwiches (in white bread!). It was interesting to watch people talking on the beach to each other, while holding on to their catch.
Sand whales! Ever heard of them? Actually, I thought this display in front of a hostel was a great marketing idea and a good piece of art too!! (Everyone goes to Puerto Lopez to see the whales)
Back to our hostel, we lounged in Ecuador's fantastically comfortable hammocks (I am definitely bringing one of these babies home... I just need to figure out how I'll hang it up!)
Banana trees in our hostel's courtyard.
At night, we were seneraded by four musicians, care of the hostel manager (who was trying to impress my friend Nathalie, Director of Marketing and Tours at La Lengua). I had to take a picture of this guitar player's stoic face. We really enjoyed their music.
Here is Nathalie with Alexander and his father... Alexander was helping his family in the restaurant by getting drinks and handing out dessert menus. He was the sweetest little boy with a beautiful smile.
We were lucky to attend to a local fiesta on the beach, where they had a beauty pageant to choose a Miss Puerto Lopez (They even had the typical Q&A session "How can we improve tourism in Puerto Lopez?" I didn't hear any questions about how to save the world though).
The whale watching was fantastic!... out in a boat about an hour away from shore, we found half a dozen whales. One, as you can see, took a fancy to us and decided to jump straight out of the water five times before he disappeared again!!
We visited La Isla Plata, coined as "the Poor Man's Galapagos"... but you definitely and unfortunately get what you pay for. We didn't see too many birds along the paths and I would suggest you skip this part of the trip altogether.
The five boobies that we did see were interesting an provided us with more fun pictures though.
This flower fascinated me as it seemed to have little white glistering tips to each of the pinkish strands.
We enjoyed the delicious and fresh coastal dishes including octopus ceviche, fish cooked in a banana and peanut butter sauce, and garlic fried fish. Of course, lots of card playing also took place... which reminds me of my poker playing days at home!
We watched Ecuadorian boys playing volleyball (a very popular sport here, not just on the beach!).
Frying up one of Ecuador's tastiest treats.. plaintain chips!
I can't believe how many bracelets and necklaces we all bought this weekend... the deals were just too good ($2 for a necklace, $1 for a bracelet after some hard negotiations and volume purchasing).
A view of Puerto Lopez' church and muddy streets.
Nathalie and I had a fun little ride in this "mini moto".
This woman blushed as we asked to take her picture. It makes me happy to see how she stands proudly.
Lots of vultures in Puerto Lopez... likely brought in by the dead fish along the beach, discarded by the fishermen.
The back alleys of Puerto Lopez... quite a way from the tourist area.
Next to this toxic river and the vultures is the last place I expected to see such a pristine white heron.
