Beach Break

Since it’s holiday time, we went on a trip to the beach. 

 The beach is really nice. A little crowded maybe.

Having just arrived from really freeeeezing Europe, it was such a nice experience to feel the heat of the sun at sea level. It’s amazing, what 2.500m height difference make. Although the temperatures in Cuenca are really nice, 30 degrees is just something else. The nicest thing though at Ecuador’s beach around Montanita is that it actually cools down at night so you have no problems getting some good sleep. Having said that, Thomas (the 2 month old) occasionally had other plans for us. He likes to choose the very early hours of the day for his breakfast and doesn’t want to rest afterwards. To compensate for that, we went to bed early – well, at least some nights…

 

 The kids found many starfish. After they presented them to us they were of course released again...

We were guests of one of Sole’s uncles. He has an amazing house near the beach, about 15 minutes North of Montanita. The house is fabulous and has all you need for a great break. Since pictures say more than words, here you go.

Montanita is a buzzing beach town with many young people that like to hang out in the evenings in one of the many bars or cocktail stands and surf the waves during the day. We decided to stick to what we know – so no surfing for us.

Check out those birds. Those on the power line above the people. No-one seems to know why they are there and why they only stick to about 100 meters of that one road.

 And yes, catching up with friends and family also works thanks to the free WLAN at Hola Ola (open 24hrs).

 Fireworks sale Ecuadorian style - off the back of a pickup truck :)

Apart from a lot of eating, drinking and relaxing, we also got engaged in some physical activities. Well, we walked from the house to the beach through the forest. :)

An hour drive South you find Salinas. A larger town that feels a bit like one of the beach towns on the US East coast. Tons of seafood restaurants, bars and a beach drive. Also, it has one of the few yacht ports in the area: