Our plans, decisions, and adventures
Everyone told us that if we had time for one out-trip, it should be to Guatape. There are many different tour options, but we found fantastic, simple transit instructions (The Backpack Diary) and were able to take ourselves on this trip for a fraction of the cost. Guatape is a village high in the mountains, on... Continue Reading →
To learn more about Medellin, we signed up for a 4-hour Free Walking Tour (our first, but definitely not our last). We met up with Mari, of Real City Tours, and 19 other tourists, at the Poblado metro station, a 10-minute walk from our accommodation. We purchased a metro ticket ($2,150 COP/~70 cents USD) and... Continue Reading →
The transit system in Medellín is a source of pride in the city, and with good reason. It has received awards for its innovation and impact on the lives of those it serves. Medellín is a city of more than three million people, and many of those live in houses-built-upon-houses, high into the mountains. With... Continue Reading →
Atacames is a local-tourist beach town among several beach towns on the northern coast of Ecuador. Thanks to a tidal river, the main parts of town are divided with the beach and town sides of the river joined by bridges. We stayed on the beach (or playa) side at the Casa Chill Inn (aka Hostel Chill Inn,... Continue Reading →
We spent 2 1/2 weeks in San Alejo, a small fishing village between San Clemente and San Jacinto. Here are a few final notes about this area. Medical care A week ago I had a small matter I needed medical assistance with. I contacted our travel medical insurance as required and then asked our accommodation... Continue Reading →
Today we travelled up the coast of Ecuador approximately 293km on a trip that Google Maps says should take just under 5 hours. Here's how we did it (all prices are for two people): Taxi from San Alejo to San Vicente--30 minutes/35km, $20 Bus from San Vicente to Pedernales--2 hours/110km, $8 Moto taxi from where we... Continue Reading →
At first, finding food can seem a bit challenging in San Alejo. The nearest SuperMaxi (large grocery chain) is a 45-minute bus ride away, there are no mercados in town, and the small tiendas that are here are often not open. Despite the challenges, we have managed quite nicely here--mostly cooking for ourselves, eating out here... Continue Reading →
We arrived in San Alejo, late last Sunday afternoon, by bus from Guayaquil with a ticket to San Clemente ($8.50), as we were advised by our host. The San Clemente stop was an almost-deserted intersection. From there we had no instructions for getting to our accommodation for the next two weeks, The Cottages by the Sea.... Continue Reading →
We hadn't specifically planned to go to the Galapagos Islands during this sojourn. We knew it would be much cheaper if we ever became Ecuador residents, and we were also planning to visit Isla de la Plata (Silver Island), aka the "poor man's Galapagos." On the other hand, here we were in Ecuador, for what... Continue Reading →
Getting around Ecuador is quite affordable with several options available. Flights between major cities are short and ticket prices reflect that. Buses are cheap, can be very comfortable. you don't have to endure airport security or arrive two hours ahead, and you get to see a lot more of the countryside. From Cuenca to Guayaquil,... Continue Reading →
Today was our last day in Cuenca. We said goodbye to a very comfortable AirBnB suite, grabbed a cab (caught one of the taxi drivers as he finished eating breakfast from the red pick-up truck that parks across the street every day and serves up breakfast), and headed for the Terminal Terrestre (bus terminal). Cab ride:... Continue Reading →
Just left: West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Now: Qualicum Bay, British Columbia, Canada
Up next: Gabriola Island, British Columbia, Canada
Life: Phase Next 