Saturday Jan 14, 2017

We decided to spend most of the day at the beach today. However, first we walked to the stores on the main road, by following a dirt path. On the way to the store we encountered a horse, just waiting for his owner. We also saw a mother chicken with her chicks following along behind her. We had to cross a cement bridge and a rickety wooden bridge on our route. We were able to buy bananas and a papaya to add to our snacks at the hostel.
We headed down to the beach and took up spots in front of Max's restaurant, El Ajiecito. There is much competition from the various beach restaurants for your business, If they see you as a customer, then you will be allowed to use the beach chairs and hammocks in front of their business. Max remembered us from the night before, so no problem there. We put sunscreen on, and stayed in the shade of a beach hut. Despite these precautions we were both burnt by the middle of the afternoon. Guess we learned the hard way that the sun really is hotter at the equator (duh!) While we were at the beach we had a wonderful meal for lunch. Max made grilled fish and shrimp for us by request with plantains, and Mike also had ceviche. Once again the meal was excellent. I also tried coconut water right from the source. It was very refreshing.
We headed in to slather aloe on our burns and decided to return to the beach down just before sunset to take some pictures. We walked for while on the beach, watching families playing and relaxing together. So far we have only seen one other white couple the entire time we have been here. Many of the tourist on the beach are here from Quito for a vacation with their families. Afterwards we went for a swim, in the hopes of cooling down our hot skin. We has a small supper back at the hostel, then sat on the balcony for awhile before crashing to bed. All in all, it was my idea of a perfect vacation day!

Grilled shrimp and plantains

Our friend the iguana on the roof of our villa

Sunset

Huge driftwood washed up by tide