traveln'living

ESMERALA THE GREEN PROVINCE
With it's beautiful jungle that are next to the white sandy beaches and wild rivers that go acros wild mangroves forest until the ocean...
Its people are unique, proud and lively...
They are people that came far away from a tormented Africa and were almost brought in as slaves. What changed the course of history is that a big storm in the pacific ocean made a shipwreck that was fatale for others and saved the survivors from slavery.
Because the survivers arrived to the coast of Esmeraldas as free and unknown sourrounded by a green jungle and virgin coast that still is quite unexplored to this day...
They have the most exquisite dishes made with coconut and sea food and you can buy lovely souvenirs like beautiful hand made african masks and musical instruments.
Their music is called Marimba and they are very talented musiciens and dancers.
Some photos are of a musical festival in the town of Muisne.

Just a couple of hours up North from Manta is the quiet and beautiful Bahia de Caraquez.

The road trip goes passed by the unique forest of Ceibo trees, there are green all over with cotton also and are a symbol of Manabi's landscape.
You will know you have arrived when you'll see the nice seaside apartments,the houses and sail boats right where the river meet the ocean, with the views of the heart's island of mangroves and white cliffs with sandy beaches. Here is a town where people still say hello to each other and really just stroll down the streets. The roads almost have no traffic and are great for cycling and walking. Many sail boats are ankled here and they have access to Puerto amor for any needs. There is a good tennis club and nice restaurants near the Hotel La Piedra right on the ocean.
From here is the ferry to go across to Canoa a beach town that is becoming the next Montanita in its own way.
But soon this year there will be a bridge to bring together the two coasts..

Canoa has all its bars on the sandy beaches and has quite a lot of partying the weekends, its has beautiful hostels like Bamboo and Coco Loco.
Bamboo is owned by a Dutch who started this hostel almost 20 years ago and its has a more private atmosphere right at the end of the beach, very nice decoration too and the food is delicious. Coco Loco is more in the middle of it all and also has a good American breakfast, the owner is an American lady who has the place really nice too. Both places are right on the beach...
You can also surf here, go horse back riding on the long sandy beach and inquire about gliding.

Close by is Rio Muchacho a small local community more inland where many people go to help out in volunteer projects and there is a nice tree house to stay the night.
From Canoa you are only a couple of hours away from Esmeraldas a very interesting province of Ecuador for its natural diversity and people.
That will be my next post...
Cheers,
Annia L.

Montecristi is a place where history took place and traditions have continued.
In this small coastal town with a cool climate coming from the mist of Montecristi's green mountain
El viejo Luchador was born, one of the most important man in our political history: Eloy Alfaro.

He was the best president for Ecuador, he made a great revolution.
He separated the religion from politics and gave women a place in eduaction and work and gave her the right of vote.
He made the first train to unite the Coast from the Highlands and brought teachers from Europe to help bring up the education standards.
When education, equality and political freedom are at the heart of the interest for the people, I think nothing can go wrong.
There is a mosaic of him next to the Montecrisit Church and also a museum conmemorating his life next to the once National Parlament. In this town there is a beautiful wodden building that was the first women's school he created.

Montecristi also has a history to handycrafts and the most important one is the finely made Panama hat, that is
actually made here from local straw, it took its name because it was exported from Panama to the world.
There is a beautiful display of these hats in the main street.

Santa Marianita has become a great place to experience the ultimate beach life style.
The windy season is from May to November and there is two equally good Kite Surfing Schools.

It all started back in the days when a couple of colombian kitesurfers came to Manta to teach the local people this new sport that had just picked up, they decided to make a school in the fishing town of Sta Marianita.

Now this place has made quite a transition into an international expat beach town.
One Kite School belong to Vladimir at the beginning of the beach entrance and
Robert's school is in a hostel at the end of the lane.
There is also spanish and kite surfing program lessons with Robert.

This beach has humpback whales that come very close to the coast and it is a really long and sandy beach
until the rocks of la Tinosa.

If you are lucky you can Kite Surf and whale watch at the same time.
There are plenty of beach parties and bomfires at night, the bars are right on the beach and the atmosphere is really cool.
This beach has a lot nice houses and suites for rent and everybody knows each other so any needs just ask around.
Linda an American lady living in Sta Marianita is very friendly and can help.
This beach town is only a 20min drive from Manta, which is very convenient if you need some more city life and to do some touristic circuits around like Montecristi and San Lorenzo.
Here are some of my pics of Sta Marianita...

Puerto Lopez is a charming fishing village in the middle of la Ruta del Sol.
Its in between Manta and Montanita.
It has a real local character. Most if its local people are closely related to their indigenous ancestor's roots.
The town is situated in a bay of calm waters where the display of artesanal fishing is part of its beauty.

Puerto Lopez is part of Manabi provence and from here you can do all the tours to the National Park Machalilla.

The best time to go is between July and September to see the magnificent display of Hump Back Whales in this area.

The visit to la Isla de la Plata also known as the poor man's Galapagos is really worth it.
There is the daily tours to La isla de la Plata for the general price of 40 usd.
This includes lunch, the boat trip, whale watching, the island walk of 2H with a native guide and snorkling in the coral bay before heading back.
On the walk around the island you can see great Bird Watching like Blue footed boobies, Red footed boobies, Albatros, Masked Boobies and Fragatas.

With the same park entrance to the island it is also included the entrance of the white sandy beach of Machalilla.
Although the best months to go to the beach are in between December to Abril, the hottest climate.
The nigh life in Puerto Lopez is relaxed and fun with pintoresque bars on the beach and bom fires.
I also recommend to go to Agua Blanca that is a 5 min ride from Pto Lopez, to visit the community and thermal waters.
Have in note that this place is independant from the gouverment, so it has its own fee.
The most upscale hotel in Puerto Lopez is Mandala, even if you decide to stay else where I recommend a visit to see the beautiful art sculptures of Whales in wood and the nice restaurant.
Here our my photos of this trip..enjoy...