26/3/2013 Machalilla National Park to Machalilla
D11, T44mins, Av14, Max 63, Tot 12147, 1904,
It had drizzled overnight, the tarp was quite wet, as were those wretched sticky weeds.
A cup of coffee finished, seeing me pack, the road was entered. A bunch of cars coming past all tooted and waved. They were on holiday and happy, often these people are cyclists themselves. They were nice gestures so early in the day.
Semana Santa had begun for Ecuadoreanos, an important time of year for most Latinos, a time to celebrate. People from Argentina and Chile, especially, holiday here because of the affordability compared to their countries. Colombian plated cars were seen.
The 11km journey to Machalilla saw me decide to stop here to spend time at Los Frailes beach, reported as Ecuador’s most beautiful beach on the mainland.
Arriving in town, a lady selling fruit from a 3 wheeled bicycle was seen roadside. Anyway she was selling oranges and passion-fruit among other treats. Six of the best oranges were eaten on the spot as were a few passion-fruit and some strawberries.
The oranges were from Chile, Royal Gala apples available now, are also from Chile.
These oranges were so nice, thin skinned with an addictive sweetness.
Another couple pulled up in a car, they too bought a big bag of oranges on my recommendation. Anyway we chatted at length in English, they were from the states and had lived here for 6 years, they introduced me to another woman from Brisbane who lived in Puerto Lopez, down the coast.
They invited me to a meeting that evening. A meeting that I said I would be happy to attend. Sarah handed me a leaflet, it was Jehovah Witness meeting!!
Jesus! Excuse the pun, me attending a JW service. Well this journey has been about experiencing all things offered within reason.
Another pledge to myself was that in these foreign lands and being alone, anyone that showed me kindness and enthusiasm, the very least I would do is return this to the best of my ability and few resources. Language included.
I told them I was not religious but would see them this evening.
The Mississippi saw me attend an Evangelical Baptist service with Bart and his family in Tennessee. Here would see me attend this service with Sonny, Steve and Sarah, that of a belief delivered from the other end of the spectrum.
It is so nice not having to justify a decision.
Asking about for accommodation, a great place was found, called the Casa Tagua, part of the Restaurant Sol y Mar. Angel, William and their families were such nice people. The restaurant was closed on the night, they cooked pescado and had me in the house for dinner.
The afternoon was spent at Los Frailes beach. Reputation wise, it was upheld.
The water was clear, washing a light brown sand, it is not a surfing beach, but from a family and relaxation point of view it was idyllic. Being framed by tall cliffs at each end, some 1.5km apart.
The site was not overly crowded, some 60 people at most. The water temperature was as ordered, perfect, just with a touch of refreshment.
Waves were just weakly dumping themselves right on the beach. The depth increased rather rapidly as you entered the water.
From here one could walk to two other beaches to the north, while on the way a couple of great view points were visited. A couple from Spanish said the snorkeling was excellent.
A moto taxi was taken back to the restaurant, tea was enjoyed.
From here I wandered to the meeting.
Arriving, I was warmly welcomed. I sat with Steve and Sonny’s son who was about 15.
He had an English bible and was very helpful. Listening to the sermon was good Spanish practice, so was the singing. Knowing the context of the sermon, a fair bit was understood.The 4th conjugation Nosotros (we) was used alot . Up at the alter there were plates of bread and glasses of wine.
This had me a tad worried. I didn’t mind attending the meeting, but partaking to this extent was not going to be done.
I had to be true to myself in this respect. True to that of not being a believer. The Galapagos is where my beliefs lie in respect to our presence here on this planet.
The bread and the wine were only passed from person to person, not consumed, spared an explanation, I was.
Though I will admit if I was hanging from a cliff by one hand I might ask “god” for a “bit of a hand” you know what I mean. Hopefully that need will never arise.
Anyway it was another experience to behold. I had briefly met some nice people. We all have our beliefs. Mine were where they were before this experience.
Walking home it was a nice feeling to know I had been, for reasons other than religion, during the day I did have second thoughts. I had said to someone I would do something and I did, an important thing for me.
D11, T44mins, Av14, Max 63, Tot 12147, 1904,
It had drizzled overnight, the tarp was quite wet, as were those wretched sticky weeds.
A cup of coffee finished, seeing me pack, the road was entered. A bunch of cars coming past all tooted and waved. They were on holiday and happy, often these people are cyclists themselves. They were nice gestures so early in the day.
Semana Santa had begun for Ecuadoreanos, an important time of year for most Latinos, a time to celebrate. People from Argentina and Chile, especially, holiday here because of the affordability compared to their countries. Colombian plated cars were seen.
The 11km journey to Machalilla saw me decide to stop here to spend time at Los Frailes beach, reported as Ecuador’s most beautiful beach on the mainland.
Arriving in town, a lady selling fruit from a 3 wheeled bicycle was seen roadside. Anyway she was selling oranges and passion-fruit among other treats. Six of the best oranges were eaten on the spot as were a few passion-fruit and some strawberries.
The oranges were from Chile, Royal Gala apples available now, are also from Chile.
These oranges were so nice, thin skinned with an addictive sweetness.
Another couple pulled up in a car, they too bought a big bag of oranges on my recommendation. Anyway we chatted at length in English, they were from the states and had lived here for 6 years, they introduced me to another woman from Brisbane who lived in Puerto Lopez, down the coast.
They invited me to a meeting that evening. A meeting that I said I would be happy to attend. Sarah handed me a leaflet, it was Jehovah Witness meeting!!
Jesus! Excuse the pun, me attending a JW service. Well this journey has been about experiencing all things offered within reason.
Another pledge to myself was that in these foreign lands and being alone, anyone that showed me kindness and enthusiasm, the very least I would do is return this to the best of my ability and few resources. Language included.
I told them I was not religious but would see them this evening.
The Mississippi saw me attend an Evangelical Baptist service with Bart and his family in Tennessee. Here would see me attend this service with Sonny, Steve and Sarah, that of a belief delivered from the other end of the spectrum.
It is so nice not having to justify a decision.
Asking about for accommodation, a great place was found, called the Casa Tagua, part of the Restaurant Sol y Mar. Angel, William and their families were such nice people. The restaurant was closed on the night, they cooked pescado and had me in the house for dinner.
The afternoon was spent at Los Frailes beach. Reputation wise, it was upheld.
The water was clear, washing a light brown sand, it is not a surfing beach, but from a family and relaxation point of view it was idyllic. Being framed by tall cliffs at each end, some 1.5km apart.
The site was not overly crowded, some 60 people at most. The water temperature was as ordered, perfect, just with a touch of refreshment.
Waves were just weakly dumping themselves right on the beach. The depth increased rather rapidly as you entered the water.
From here one could walk to two other beaches to the north, while on the way a couple of great view points were visited. A couple from Spanish said the snorkeling was excellent.
A moto taxi was taken back to the restaurant, tea was enjoyed.
From here I wandered to the meeting.
Arriving, I was warmly welcomed. I sat with Steve and Sonny’s son who was about 15.
He had an English bible and was very helpful. Listening to the sermon was good Spanish practice, so was the singing. Knowing the context of the sermon, a fair bit was understood.The 4th conjugation Nosotros (we) was used alot . Up at the alter there were plates of bread and glasses of wine.
This had me a tad worried. I didn’t mind attending the meeting, but partaking to this extent was not going to be done.
I had to be true to myself in this respect. True to that of not being a believer. The Galapagos is where my beliefs lie in respect to our presence here on this planet.
The bread and the wine were only passed from person to person, not consumed, spared an explanation, I was.
Though I will admit if I was hanging from a cliff by one hand I might ask “god” for a “bit of a hand” you know what I mean. Hopefully that need will never arise.
Anyway it was another experience to behold. I had briefly met some nice people. We all have our beliefs. Mine were where they were before this experience.
Walking home it was a nice feeling to know I had been, for reasons other than religion, during the day I did have second thoughts. I had said to someone I would do something and I did, an important thing for me.