May 15

With our sunburns glowing, the decision was made to do some sightseeing. There is a Budget Car Rental office just a street off the Malecon. An economy-size car was $53 per day, unlimited miles, taxes included, plus $28 all-inclusive insurance which seemed absolutely necessary after watching the way everyone drives here. Budget asked for $300 cash deposit or a credit card which they put a $600 hold on until the car was returned. We picked up a Tourist Map (in Spanish) but were told there is not a map of Salinas.

Punta Canerra is on the opposite side of the peninsula so we started there. The ocean is much wilder here and they say there is a very strong undertow so it is not a good place to swim. Very pretty though.

Next we headed to Ballenita and easily found the Farrolon Dillon Hostal. $2 gets one into the museum/gift shop which has artifacts from a sunken Spanish galleon. The $2 includes a drink in the restaurant at the end of the tour. It is a very pretty location on a cliff and a good place to go whale watching.

Our plan was to drive up the Ruta Del Sol (E15) north along the coast, but we had a very difficult time finding the right road. After touring Ballenita, Santa Elena, La Libertad, and even a jaunt east on E40 towards Guayaquil, we finally returned to the Farrolon Dillon and asked for directions. “Is very easy” we were told: turn left and turn left again at the Hotel Ballenita. Since this was a road under construction with caution tape and cones across it, we didn’t feel as foolish for having missed it so many times before.

Our next stop was Ayangue. This is a very picturesque bay with a fishing village. Cliffs on either side are being developed into gated communities. The bay is world known for it’s very good scuba diving. The village has typical open-air cafes and bars.

The coast is very close to the road as we drive and there are fishing boats pulling their catches out of the sea. Several kinds of birds have found that this is a good opportunity for them to feed. We knew where every boat was by watching the birds circle around it.

Mantañita is also world known for it’s surfing. The fishing village has grown into more of a hippy village with lots of little hostels and parking lots, which we’ve been told are used for sleeping on during the season. There is a surfer statue on the north side of town and there are international flags around the base of it. Great opportunity for tourist photos!

Just around the next bend is Olon. Another fishing village, but the beach stretches out and out and out. The surf is gentle and the sand is white. On a cliff between Olon and Mantañita, is a convent built into the side of the cliff. ¡Another tourist photo op!

5:00

After dropping Cara off at the Alamar, we drove to our condo in the Neptuno to meet Luis. He had brought along subcontractors: Antonio for concrete work and Miguel for plumbing and electricity. They both seemed knowledgeable and we will get estimates from them in a few days. The elevator is still not operating.