Posada a Mirindo
I arrived at Posada a Mirindo at 1:30 am after a grueling Vancouver -Houston Houston-Quito flight itinerary all in one day. Gabriela Sanchez runs this Bed and Breakfast near the Quito Airport and had a driver pick me up the airport. She spoke English and was a verygracious hostess but would have nothing of me relaxing around the house the next day to recover from the viscous itinerary the day before. She said I must explore Quito and had the same driver that picked me up at the airport come and get me at 10 am to take me to Quito a 45min drive. I regrouped and went for it
( I'am glad I did !)
Posada a Mirolinda was a rustic Spanish style house located on a farm an surrounded by other fields , Agriculture is 65% of the Ecuadorian economy and no arable land is left unused. My room on the upper level was spotless and with ornate hardwood throughout.
Breakfast was served in a common area I was the only guest that morning. The view was great. I ate and wait ( for my driver )
Quito
My driver Leonardo agreed to leave me in the Central Plaza and pick me up 4 hours later. I had a suggested list of things to see prepared by Gabriela. Quito is high up in the Andean mountains ( 9350 ft ) and nestled between sharp peaks This place was a tour de force of visual impacts and a treasure trove of museums and churches. I started my walking tour
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| 16th century basilica |
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| lined with gold leaf 160 years to build |
Walking up and down the steep steep streets for 4 hours was a punishing ordeal for the body at this altitude but the visuals were stunning and Iam glad I followed Gabrielas advice to check out this amazing city instead of hanging out at the Posada to await my flight to Manta and and the beaches
click to view video
Street Musicians in Quito
click to view video
SAN JACINTO
I checked into Casa WF at 130 am after picking up my rental car at the Manta airport. The driving ordeal to get here will be another story. Casa WF is run by 2 Expats Marty and Jim from Florida who found their El Dorado in Ecuador and decided to rent out the bottom 2 suites through AirBnB to supplement their retirement. Located near the beach next to a river this would be my home for the next 9 days
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| A tasty breakfast was prepared every morning by Jim |
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| Excuse me innkeeper there/s a(silverfish ) lizard in my bathroom |
The ocean was very warm and a cool offshore breeze kept you cool in the hot South American sun. Summer was just beginning here. Master fish filleter Antonio was at work near the beach and his restaurant preparing the catch of
the day. Some sea bass I had here was one of my best meals in Ecuador
click to watch video
Exotic smells and music drew me into a small thatched hut housing the barbecue bistro run by Ali, a cross dressing Afro-Ecuadorian who offered his simple fares of roasted plantain, rice,pork and chicken. There was no menu "chicken or pork" was Ali's verbal menu presented to me as I sat down. After ordering a large pilsener.Ecuador's local beer I sat back to soak up the surrealistic atmosphere.Ali expertly barbecued me a pork cutlet with slices of plantain all marinaded in a rich spicy sauce. Served up with a special rice this meal blew me away . All for $6 including beer, I loved the way he used a blowdryer to get the coals super hot
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| I brought my own wine |
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I think this little guy came from La Curva
Did not check this puppy out
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