Late start this morning due to rain and the need for some last minute maintenance on the bike. Finally out of Canoa at 9:15. Within a half hour I was into rain which was quite heavy at times.....I was soaked before I could get my Rain gear on..... My Gps quit last night....worked the night before when I set the route.....now it will not come on....tried all the fixes mentioned on the Internet no luck....so I was winging getting through some of the big towns....stopping to ask in my poor Spanish the way to Quito then Mindo when I thought I was close. The last hour was dangerous with thick fog and heavy rain.....had to slow down to 4th gear as I was driving with my shield up as I could not see through the lens.....again someone was looking out for me....because I no sooner thought what if a vehicle is parked on the edge ahead and just then...breaking and swerving in a flash I missed the truck stopped ahead by a whisker. I was worried that I might miss Mindo turn off in the fog but it partially lifted 5 minutes before the exit...difficulty finding the La Bicok Eco Lodge which was just outside of the main drag with no signage....so again asking in a little Spanish and more English.....with the help of writing out the name....i found it the hard way.....having to cross a foot bridge with the bike.
Just before the last round of heavy rain and fog
The Manger in yellow and DJ from California now a permanent Mindo resident who came here to settle after first visiting Canoa..... 
Now the best part about travelling and especially by motorcycle is the people you meet....Tonight rather than eat at the Lodge....I am the only guest and cannot imagine what a $ 22.00 dinner might be as they are not busy....the manager recommended eating in town...which I did.
I had many choices but stopped at a small Cafe which I thought was a coffee shop but no it was a restaurant.
I met 2 of the greatest gals Flor an Ecuadorian single lady and her equally single friend Luz from Europe. Both these ladies are holidaying in Ecuador with Flor also visiting her family who live In Quito. Flor after a divorce moved many years ago to Toronto Ontario...so a fellow Canadian....she and Luz will return to Toronto next month........but I think they have a keen interest on returning here soon.
Hopefully, I will have the opportunity to show the girls around Muskoka this summer.....so Flor & Luz that is an open invitation....just let me know in advance as I am often away on a motorcycle adventure.....you can contact me through the comments section of the blog.
Luz,the restaurant owner and Flor......Thank you ladies for the welcoming & warm conversation. It is amazing how you can get to know someone in a short time.....wish I could stay longer.
Mindo's main street....this is a Bird watcher's paradise.
Tomorrow will be a challenge to get around Quito...sucks to not have my GPS working.
Good for you Bob , indeed someone is looking out for you . They look like lovely ladies and great they were there at thsi time....safe journey
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