February 2nd to 3rd 2020-Still in Canoa

Just been taking in the last couple days here visiting old haunts and re acquainting with some of the xpats and locals. Weather has been hot...early morning walks along the beach, afternoons for a beer at the Canoa Beach Hotel......

 Superbowl get together of Gringo at the Surf Shack...Sunday

 Dinner Last night

 Beach to the R&L 17k from Canoa to San Vicente with very little commercial development...almost unspoiled

 Had a haircut & shave today....looks like the barber chained a customer's truck for non payment.

Checked out a place on the Beach for Sale

 Canadians from Quebec staying at Carol and Jeff's B&B......I invited C&J and this couple out for dinner tonight letting Carol choose Bambu in Canoa....all the Canadians leave manana. This couple had rented an apartment in Montanita to surf but found the conditions unsafe and noise unbearable so motored to Canoa to surf....and have enjoyed it here.  

 Jeff working on his Barbecue....the top and sides have broken glass embedded through a special technique in which they are set then covered over in a light cement which is later damp sponged to reveal the coloured glass and sparkle in the sunlight

 After visiting C&J one last stop at the watering hole to say adios to the girls...lol

 Julia and Mike are in Peru near the Macara crossing ...the same route I took in the opposite direction 2 years ago......she tells me today they are heading back into the mountains as it is too hot on the coast.

 My route to meet the Amigos Manana

 The amigos choices

Where we hope to meet....my Amigos say they won't be leaving Puerto Lopez before 8;30am ...I will hopefully be there well ahead of them and have Breakfast....likely about 3 hours for me on the back road if I don't get lost...riding without a GPS. 

January 31st to February 1st

The route I thought we would take.....

 Mi Amigos were on the correct route..... 

Getting out of a large city is never fun especially in rush hour traffic but Ken managed to get us out only for me to find this was not the intended route for me...my error...we ended up on the less scenic coastal road which was the quickest route to Montanita for the amigos but put me 2 to 3 hours further from my destination of Canoa. Pulled over realizing the error I excused myself from the group as I had the fastest moto and headed for Canoa ahead of my amigos. I did stop in to check out Montanita before continuing on and arrived in Canoa in time for happy hour at the Canoa Beach Hotel.

Breakfast in Guayaquil

 Stopped to have a drink and take a picture of the harbour at Puerto Lopez. It is here that the amigos will spend the 2nd and 3rd to visit the poor man's Galapagos. I did this last February and it is well worth the visit to the off shore Island....you get to swim with the colorful fishes.....have fun boys.....

 I am enjoying a beer at the bar while taking in the sites at the Canoa Beach Hotel

 Phebe the bar maid

 just making sure my ride is ok

 I receive a big hug and kiss from Alexandra when I arrive at Sundown

 never tire of these sunsets....I stroll the beach for a couple kilometers

 Sundown

 

Dinner my first night is at the Surf Shack where I will meet friends from my previous trips...one a relative of  a friend from Bracebridge  and I meet a young Quebec couple also with a friend from my small hometown.

 

I  ride into Coco Loco a hostel on the beach in Canoa for breakfast this morning.... 

 Lesta...my waitress

Don my Californian friend who lives at Sundown joins me at breakfast....his smile is because he knows what pic I am taking......

 wash and polish...1 hour spent by cleaners...cost $2.50

 Greg you certainly have a good looking crew at the hotel this year......

 My friends Carol and Jeff also from California.......I enjoyed Christmas Dinner with them last year and was great to renew our friendship....thanks for the hugs Carol....hope Jeff didn't mind.

You will see only a few pics of this property which I call Paradise on the beach....it is a large enclosed enclave which Carol and Jeff have turned into a classy B&B........actually it was where Julia and I were considering rooming my amigos had Canoa as destination not run off the rails with my friend joining another party at the last minute.....shit happens. 

 My view tonight from the room.....

Back into Canoa for dinner this time at Charlie Bar for a dish of Camarones

 $8.00 including the beer

 stopped for a drink at the Surf Shack to find it was Karaoke night....more hugs from ladies who new me..........oh the drink was Inca Cola

January 30th 2920 - Guayaquil

We had no problems getting out of Cuenca and found ourselves riding higher into the mountains through switchbacks and at times fog or clouds so thick you could see only a few feet ahead.....I continued to be at the back of the pack having lost my nerve in the corners after my fall.......sorry no pictures as again no place to pull off  and at times visibility poor.

We arrived safely at the hotel after braving hectic traffic always a danger when you do not know your way.....having to watch both the traffic and GPS.

I had a snooze while the amigos went for a swim......later we took taxi's down to the harbour for dinner.

Pictures will follow when I receive from Rick