Enough on the trials and tribulations of Border Crossings - and more about the delights of Ecuador!
We found a lovely hotel in Puerto Bolivar - the Adriands Hotel - and after some serious negotiation occupied Room 212 (Executive Double Room) with a prime view of this port town from which Ecuador's prime export (bananas) is shipped - by the million!
Darkness falling, took a stroll through the lively streets in search of Dinner. Tourist Seafood Restaurant with photos of all the meals they serve? Or Chicken Shack with outdoor oven roasting fat juicy chooks on skewers - and packed with locals? Yep - Chicken Shack it is!
Locals were surprised to see us - several "Buenas Noches" later they're smiling and we're munching delicious spit-roast Pollo con Papas Fritas y Ensalada - David nips out for a couple of one litre Wine Cartons from Tia, local supermercado, to wash down our tasty meal and soon we're chatting with the other diners.
A couple with toddler in tow leave: "Adios", "Chao" & "Mucho Gusto"! Two minutes later Mum comes back and holds up her phone for us to read a Google Translate message: "This is a Dangerous place. Be careful of your things. And enjoy Ecuador."
OK - maybe we won't go for that walk through Town Centro we'd planned. Luckily our hotel is only three blocks away, so we briskly stride back and instead head for the rooftop terrace to enjoy the panoramic view and the rest of the tasty carton wine! There's loud Latin American dance music coming down the street and we crane our necks to see a bright yellow Party Bus with open sides, full of people dancing and drinking - party in full swing - wonderful! Who said these streets are dangerous!!
After Desayuno and a swim the next morning we retrace our steps for a couple of Chicken Shack photos - fresh batch of chooks on the spit! And explore Puerto Bolivar's waterfront. David finds his next Dream-Jar-Car - and we discover Colourful Crabs are one of the area's biggest exports! Not sure where the Seahorse fits in, but it made a great photograph!!
Time to check out and after battling the traffic through Machala we are suddenly surrounded by mile after mile after mile of Plantations - this really is a Banana Republica!
