28/2/2013 El Carmen to Pedernales
D91, 5.25, 8, Av 16.71, Max65, Tot11805, 1586
100% humidity, raining in the morning, 27°
It was pouring outside, the owner told me that this is normal till mid April. So it is riding during the wet season here on the coast. During the day the sky is somewhat clear but storms brew every afternoon.
I was drenching by the time I got a 100m down the road.
It felt good and refreshing. The road was a pleasure, that of concrete and little traffic.
It soon dried up, the road that is, and the heat made its presence known. The humidity was something else, as was the sweat just pouring off me. Taking off my shirt help somewhat, though perspiration was now dripping off my shorts.
This was a full aqueous transfusion, water by mouth, discharge everywhere else, except the way where one needs to undo the fly.
The hills climbed in sheltered areas out of the breeze were akin to being on an exercise bike in a steam room. Stopping at short distances was compulsory.
Stopping for a meal in a small town ,forget the name, a good graze of beef was enjoyed.
So was watching the local kids selling things to buses that went through town, the speed humps made them easy prey as they wisely slowed down.
There is a range called the Montañas de Chindul that needed crossing before the coast was reached. Though nothing compared to those near Otavalo and Quito, humidity in the equation bought about similarities. The equator was crossed again somewhere in this ranges, Pedernales is in the northern hemisphere.
Stopping atop one high point, three bottles of coke were tossed down, not even touching the sides.
All the while being entertained by some guys trying to catch piglets as they suckled their huge mum, they were ready for market, talk about squeal as they were manhandled into the back of a pickup.
Coming down onto the flats, a breeze could be felt, a breeze that carried the smell of the Pacific ocean. It was quite exciting having been inland for a month.
Upon arriving in Pedernales, this smell was laced with that of rotting fish. A smell curiously enjoyed, a familiar smell.
It was nice to be back on the coast.
Though after 60km downhill from Quito, the elevation all had to be gathered back at a later stage on the road to Cuenca.
A big storm had disrupted services here, there were generators on the footpath raucously providing electricity to every second shop passed.
A motel was booked, one with internet to my room. A rarity lately.
I was extremely exhausted after the ride, though not enough to restrict me from an exploratory wander to the beach.
It was a wild affair, brown water, timber all over the sand, large waves being ridden by talented surfers and the obligatory beach bars on piles from the kerb out over the beach. Bob Marley was a favorite on the sound systems.
A tub of mixed fruit was enjoyed while the scene was absorbed.
Dinner was eaten away from the beach in a great place that grilled chicken as it was ordered. Two water melon juices were greatly enjoyed. A local told me of its whereabouts.
Back at the motel, the luxury of skype was enjoyed, talking to friends and family in NZ and OZ, way to late I might add.
D91, 5.25, 8, Av 16.71, Max65, Tot11805, 1586
100% humidity, raining in the morning, 27°
It was pouring outside, the owner told me that this is normal till mid April. So it is riding during the wet season here on the coast. During the day the sky is somewhat clear but storms brew every afternoon.
I was drenching by the time I got a 100m down the road.
It felt good and refreshing. The road was a pleasure, that of concrete and little traffic.
It soon dried up, the road that is, and the heat made its presence known. The humidity was something else, as was the sweat just pouring off me. Taking off my shirt help somewhat, though perspiration was now dripping off my shorts.
This was a full aqueous transfusion, water by mouth, discharge everywhere else, except the way where one needs to undo the fly.
The hills climbed in sheltered areas out of the breeze were akin to being on an exercise bike in a steam room. Stopping at short distances was compulsory.
Stopping for a meal in a small town ,forget the name, a good graze of beef was enjoyed.
So was watching the local kids selling things to buses that went through town, the speed humps made them easy prey as they wisely slowed down.
There is a range called the Montañas de Chindul that needed crossing before the coast was reached. Though nothing compared to those near Otavalo and Quito, humidity in the equation bought about similarities. The equator was crossed again somewhere in this ranges, Pedernales is in the northern hemisphere.
Stopping atop one high point, three bottles of coke were tossed down, not even touching the sides.
All the while being entertained by some guys trying to catch piglets as they suckled their huge mum, they were ready for market, talk about squeal as they were manhandled into the back of a pickup.
Coming down onto the flats, a breeze could be felt, a breeze that carried the smell of the Pacific ocean. It was quite exciting having been inland for a month.
Upon arriving in Pedernales, this smell was laced with that of rotting fish. A smell curiously enjoyed, a familiar smell.
It was nice to be back on the coast.
Though after 60km downhill from Quito, the elevation all had to be gathered back at a later stage on the road to Cuenca.
A big storm had disrupted services here, there were generators on the footpath raucously providing electricity to every second shop passed.
A motel was booked, one with internet to my room. A rarity lately.
I was extremely exhausted after the ride, though not enough to restrict me from an exploratory wander to the beach.
It was a wild affair, brown water, timber all over the sand, large waves being ridden by talented surfers and the obligatory beach bars on piles from the kerb out over the beach. Bob Marley was a favorite on the sound systems.
A tub of mixed fruit was enjoyed while the scene was absorbed.
Dinner was eaten away from the beach in a great place that grilled chicken as it was ordered. Two water melon juices were greatly enjoyed. A local told me of its whereabouts.
Back at the motel, the luxury of skype was enjoyed, talking to friends and family in NZ and OZ, way to late I might add.
town front beach
These kids know how to survive, an art long lost by many children in some other societies
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Tsunami evacuation routes sign
The president reelected 2 weeks ago, posters are still everywhere. He is left centre in his politics.
RAFAEL CORREA DELGADO
Nació el 6 de Abril de 1963, en Guayaquil (Ecuador), de estado civil casado.
TÍTULOS ACADÉMICOS:
Doctor (Ph.D.) en Economía: Universidad de Illinois en Urbana – Champaign. Octubre/2001.
Máster de Ciencias en Economía: Universidad de Illinois en Urbana – Champaign. Mayo/1999.
Máster de Artes en Economía: Universidad Católica de Lovaina la Nueva, Bélgica. Junio/1991.
Economista: Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil, Guayaquil – Ecuador. Julio/1987.
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1/03/2013 Pedernales all day
Sleeping in was enjoyed, all be it till 0700, The day was spent sorting my blog, finding kerosene for the stove, eating lots of fresh fruit and having an afternoon kip.
A swim was enjoyed at the front beach, the water was a great temperature. It was nice to feel the water cleansing some of the cuts and scratches I have gathered on my legs. Dinner was a bunch of road side snacks and a beer was enjoyed in a beach side bar watching the sun go down.
The local council had cleared all the debris off the beach with a backhoe during the day.
As was an early night.
Sleeping in was enjoyed, all be it till 0700, The day was spent sorting my blog, finding kerosene for the stove, eating lots of fresh fruit and having an afternoon kip.
A swim was enjoyed at the front beach, the water was a great temperature. It was nice to feel the water cleansing some of the cuts and scratches I have gathered on my legs. Dinner was a bunch of road side snacks and a beer was enjoyed in a beach side bar watching the sun go down.
The local council had cleared all the debris off the beach with a backhoe during the day.
As was an early night.
Ecuadorean sun screen
Great accommadation
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Early evening
Beachfront Pedernales
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