Puerto Lopez-The Ecuadorian version of Santa Cruz California
We made it to Puerto Lopez without a major accident, yahoo! Crazy accidents happen all the time in Ecuador, from running into burros on the “highway” to busses careening off cliffs: http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=505763&CategoryId=14089
Puerto Lopez is a little town on the coast of Ecuador. It is truly one of the undiscovered treasures of the pacific. For once in the internet is right: http://internationalliving.com/2012/05/beach-towns-to-explore-in-ecuador/
Puerto Lopez is one of my favorite places in the world, and worth the three hour drive up the coast, what I call Ecuador’s Pacific Coast Highway.
Transportation on the Ecuadorian PCH.
The pace is slow, it’s off the beaten track, and very laid back, and the kind of place I like to go to get away.
In the morning I wandered around the fish market.
This guy was carrying a swordfish that was bigger the him. Yea, that is blood everywhere.
Here the fishermen ply their trade, selling everything they catch.
This man is selling a single tuna.
They mend nets, clean fish, wash fish and most of all hawk fish.
These guys were mending their nets. Asked him what the tattoo was, something to do with fish.
Some jokes were told, we had a good laugh.
Hanging out with the fishermen.
This is the launch point to Isla de la Plata, what we here, call the poor mans Galapagos. They say there are 70% of the species that you can find on the Galapagos.
After an hour boat ride you get the island. I have been the island half a dozen times. On my most memorable boat rides out there, someone tried to puke over board, didn’t make it and puked on my leg. So awesome, not.
While it is a 3 hour drive from Guayaquil, it is totally worth it.
Here you can also have some ridiculously great food. My favorite is ceviche de pescado, what I can Ecuadorian sushi. It is raw fish that marinates in lime juice, topped with a little chopped onion and cucumber, sounds disgusting, tastes delicious.
Ceviche de Pescado, fish ceviche, Ecuadorian sushi. It always makes me make that face.
Also I forgot my swimming suit (cause I am an idiot) so in true Ecuador Cholo (read redneck) style swam in my tighty whities. And yes the water was cold.
One of the guys traveling with me said he got a picture of my shame, if he sends it to me, I will post, against some of your objections.
