Cotacachi, Ibarra, Portoviejo, Puerta Lopez, Salinas

            Cotacachi, Ibarra, Portoviejo, Puerto López, Salinas

Travel and ministry brightened up our first week 2013. The Northern Andes area displays several volcanoes and varied culture. Framed between “Father Imbabura” and “Mother Cotacachi,” the Miller’s beautiful new neighborhood was our home in Cotacachi. The “volcans” hid their peaks in the clouds during our stay, but the peaceful valley and “leather capital” were enjoyable.

 

 

The Miller's Home in Cotacachi

We caught a bus to Ibarra to tour the bird sanctuary above the city. Yes, we admired the bald eagles, but they were dwarfed by the Condors native to Ecuador.  They are understandably the centerpiece of the national emblem and flag.  Our timing was perfect for the 4pm showing with their handlers.  Many of us enjoyed holding the owls on our leather-protected arms.

 

Condor Park - Otavalo

 

 

Plagued by sinus infections, we flew to Manta to visit our friends, Steve and Jackie in Portoviejo. Ecuador’s hottest city is experiencing rapid growth and boasts a new SuperMaxi and booming development.  Everywhere we have travelled in Ecuador the roads, housing and infrastructure are under improvement.  President Correa is a sure thing in the February election.

We were invited to speak to the Steve and Jackie’s church youth group on Saturday night. Little did we expect such openness and enthusiasm from the fifty youth (ages 14-24). Sue was voice-challenged by her sinus and throat, so we missed her songs.  After sharing “Christ is Our Life”, we offered a time for individual prayer.”  Every one of the youth came forward!  Fortunately our host provided interpreters.

During a late dinner we were asked to bring the Sunday message.  We elaborated on the youth message.  Life in Christ is not about self-improvement, but self-replacement.  We do not live for the Lord, but from His indwelling Spirit!

This time we stressed that only those who felt a prompting from God should come forward for personal prayer.  Half the congregation came forward, some waiting nearly an hour for God’s touch. We were truly impressed with the people’s openness and sensitivity to the Spirit!

During our Ecuadoran lunch, I asked Juan, the Senior Pastor, how he had developed the congregation during the last 20 years. He took no credit, simply stating they had experienced a series of brokenness and renewals.           “When we are weak, then we (“He”) is strong!”

Still struggling with illness, we limited our remaining tour to a day in Puerto Lopez and an evening in Salinas.  The many small beaches along the way tempted us with their quiet rhythms and placid shores observed from the comfortable buses.  Yet, it’s good to be home in charming Cuenca!

 

Porto Lopez

 

 

Salinas

 

 

Radioman Returns to Cuenca

                                                       Radioman
                       http://radiomanridestheworld.com/ride-videos     
          
Sunday we enjoyed the return of our friend Mark Donham, Radioman, on his second South American tour. We saw him in March, after his US and Central American tours. Visit our March post for details.

Mark recently completed a tour of India, including riding the highest auto road in the world at 18,340 feet in the Himalayas on a rented Royal Infield bike. What happens when the bike blows an engine in the middle of nowhere? Read his blog for the exciting adventure:    http://radiomanridestheworld.com/

 His blog has grown from 500,000 hits to 850,000 since we saw him last!

The link on top will entertain you with videos and musical exploration.

Now Mark is touring south and planning a boat trip to Antartica. He future plans are yielded to the Lord's leading.   Total freedom!



                                     

Banos de Agua Santa

                                          Banos de Agua Santa                           August  5-9, 2012

Our 9:40am Sunday bus left Cuenca’s Terminal Terrestre for the 7 hour pilgrimage to Ambato. Another bus would take us the last hour’s ride into Banos . Yes, the cross country buses still cost a dollar an hour. We reserved seats 3 and 4, right behind the driver to allow personal space and room for our bags and back packs. Since this was my first long distance drive through the Andes toward Quito, I enjoyed the views between snacks. The driver took a 40 minute lunch near Pallatanga, so we arrived at Ambato at nearly 5 pm.

Wanting to arrive before dark, we splurged for a $15 dollar taxi ride directly to Banos’ Chimenea  Hostel.  After a brief visit to the roof top terrace for the waterfall view and city orientation, we strolled past the park to Pappardelle Italian restaurant for a welcoming meal. Sue wanted pasta to accompany her meal, so we devoured three entres, narrowing avoiding an evening food coma.

The lava stone Cathedral at the edge of the park included a small tourist center in one corner. We studied our complementary map for our day’s plan. We must visit the Rio de Cascadas immediately in the sunshine. And nearby Puyo is the gateway to the Oriente. Treking into streamy jungles may have to wait until my back is fully recovered.

The taxista waiting at the park was our divine appointment. Adolfo spoke some English and was an excellent tour guide. We enjoyed each of the many waterfall views, feet firmly on the ground, while the more adventurous folk flew through the air on wire lifelines. The final and most impressive waterfall, Pailon de Diablo, required a couple kilometer steep hike. This reminded us of our annual retreats and favorite trails near Banner Elk/Boone, NC.

We continued to Puyo and the Oriente, passing through Shell, where missionaries Jim Elliot, Nate Saint and three others were speared into eternity by the Auca Indians in 1956. Headhunting is no longer practiced and is illegal in Ecuador. We visited a bird sacntuary and enjoyed observing the mono (monkey) skurrying among the branches overhead.

Swiss Bistro completed our day with a well presented tilapia for Sue and beef stroganoff for me.
Helado (ice cream) cones prepared us for a good nights sleep. We also recommend Hood Cafe and Pappardelle.

Early the next morning, we shocked our bodies for an hour in the cedar box-like enclosed steam bath, accentuated with breaks every ten minutes for the sweetly sadistic attendant to swamp us with ice cold water. Is that what “Agua Santa” (holy water) is about?

Banos beckoned us to further exploration, so we rented a go cart. There are sports shops on nearly every street, but we failed to get a recommendation at the hotel. So our adventure was enhanced by a cart with a faulty muffler and wobbly mirrors. Flying blind was a bit unnerving six inches off the ground.

Banos has several hot spring water parks. The municipal pool at the foot of the cascading waterfall at the edge of downtown is only two dollars, but was very crowded. Several other spas range from five dollars upward. Many include various optional massages, skin/facial treatments and assorted pamperings. Once again we opted for shock and awe with a deliciously painful reflexology and another half hour of back/neck/leg massage.

Every morning we wandered two blocks to the local enclosed Mercado for two large mixed cocktails of fruit and veggies blended before our drooling mouths. We shared orange juice/alfalfa/carrot and guayabana/coconut/mora smoothies prepared by smiling ladies. A buck each.

           Future Trip ideas:

1.       Buy your bus tickets the day before you trip to reserve seats (reserve must be within 24 hours of departure).

2.       Chat with your taxista before engaging him. English speakers will enhance your trip with local history and suggestions. And get a set price. $15-16 dollars from Ambato to Banos; nine dollars an hour for tours. Prices vary widely if you do not know the going price. Tips are optional.

3.       Obtain recommendations for restaurants, tours, rentals for hotel staff. They love to help!

4.       Visit your room and test your bed. Our first room was a walk to the fourth floor, so we opted for the second floor. Our bed was good, but too hard. There are many hotels and hostels in all price ranges in Banos.

5.       Be aware of Ecuadoran holidays. We left a day early to avoid Diez de Augusto (Independence Day).

6.       Hot water or internet may be slow during peak hours. Find out when the English speaker’s hours are.

                                       Banos de Agua Santa, we shall return.

You spoiled us, but there is more to discover in your mile high temperate climate and welcoming citizens.          

                                    Rejoicing,

                                              Gary & Sue

Enjoy the rest of the pictures:

A public nap!

Vilcabamba and Izhcayluma

                                                  Vilcabamba

After a year of curiosity, we finally enjoyed our trip to Vilcabamba.

Joined by our friends Lawrence and Ed, we boarded the 9:30am EliteTours van for the three hour non stop to Loja. The $12 ticket was a bargain! Elite Tours (R.Crespo y Santa Cruz)  was recommended by Hoseria Izhcayluma. We were efficiently delivered just inside the "Castle " gates of Loja.

Just around the corner, toward the gates, we discovered the Continental Hotel and enjoyed a pleasant lunch from an extensive menu. Now, for the $20 taxi down hill to Vilcabamba.

Sunshine welcomed us to the beautiful valley and town square. Yes, we saw a few picturesque farms, villas, and charming octogenerians. By the fabled centigenerians were missing. More recent posts indicate the oldest resident is a mere 96 and the average age in the valley is mid eighties. The myth and charm of this valley attracted many backpackers and hippies a generation ago. Now the culture of this beautiful pueblo appears slanted a bit toward alternative lifestyled Gringo.

We snagged a reluctant four door white pickup taxi for the brief dusty construction-choked ride up to the backpacker resort. The sweeping views over the patchwork valley hinted of the farming in forgotten times. Double rainbows at sunset drew us up the hill for placid photos.  Ahhh...

Izhcayluma's open air restaurant was a joyful slow-motion respite. Their German entres were excellent, while some selections were routine. Generous breakfasts included juice, fruit, cereal, breads with jams and choice of eggs or crepes. Our cabana was comfortable and the porch hammock drew me to an afternoon siesta.Enticing descriptions and photos may be found at www.Izhcayluma.com

Oh, the sunshine and warmer temperatures at five thousand foot elevation were a breather from rainy season in Cuenca, but the bugs were waiting. They too enjoyed their meals as the sun set over the valley and we dallyed over dessert. We forgot our Deet spray.

The town may be toured in an hour or two, but the Mexican "Secret Garden" restaurant is a must. Amazing burritos! Around the corner, downhill from the square, is a surprisingly delicious eight dollar buffet at La Roca. Don't miss it.

Ed managed a two hour challenging horse ride from town. We all enjoyed a custom two hour farming tour through the valley with our driver Rafael.

It was an obstacle course in a couple of spots. Ecuador is concreting the road all the way to Peru! Probably for the large copper mining industry.

Relocation to Vilcabamba remains doubtful, yet a visit is irresistable. Ecuador is  a gorgeous country!