The Hard-Working Hatted Women of Cuenca

Shelly, Bailey, and I spent last weekend high in the Andes in the beautiful city of Cuenca, Ecuador.  A charming town, great architecture, tasty cuisine, wonderfully friendly people.  We were amazed at the hundreds of very hard working women, who came into town from their hillside homes, selling produce and animals, or weaving unique "Panama" hats and cooking meals.  They were so serious and dedicated to their work.  May 1st is Labor Day in Ecuador, and we salute these women who labor so hard every day.  

Happy Earth Day!

Bougainvillea on the Pacific

This amazing earth --- We've been fortunate in the last few months to see and photograph these creatures and creation. from various locations "All Over the World".  Que buena suerte!  Que planeta!  Happy Earth Day!

Young Iguana in South America

Shadows on snowfall in Utah

A different starfish from the Pacific

Shelly and Bailey taking in the Pacific on Easter. Surf pounding.
White foam ashore.

Sun sinking into the Pacific

The view from Mauritius

Sizzling sunset into the Indian Ocean

This is a Good Friday!

Shelly, Bailey and David have gone to the Pacific Ocean to enjoy Easter weekend.  New friends from the U.S. Consulate invited us to enjoy the long weekend in a special hideaway right on the beach.  Wow!  What a place.  We are on the third story of a three story bed and breakfast with endless views of the ocean and beaches; a pool with water slide in the backyard, massages in the open air, and hammocks at every turn.  Not a bad way to relax and celebrate our 2nd week in this amazing country.

Bailey and the Kindle make a happy hammock

Salango, Ecuador . . . a tiny community on the coast.

Sunsets on the ocean not seen since Mauritius

Shamu on the shore

We're living on the top floor. Great views!

A very Good Friday.

Open air massages are the best!

Our room!

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The view from our room

Enjoying the view

  

On the Guayaquil Waterfront

Guayaquil is Ecuador's largest city, with a population of around 3 million.  It is not the capital---Quito is.  This is the commercial hub of the country, the port city through which most of the country's commerce travels.  Exports of bananas, shrimp, and oil are big enterprises here.  Over the past few years, the city has worked hard to improve areas of the downtown, including creating a riverside walkway, the Malecon 2000.  There are some beautifully preserved buildings and unique architecture.    We're enjoying getting to know our new city.

The colorful hillside homes in Las Penas 

Shelly on the Malecon 2000

You can cruise the Guayas Rver on the Captain Henry Morgan

Clock Tower in the Malecon area

Beautiful government office buildings

Observation Decks

Spelling the City

The Rotunda: commemorating a famous meeting between
Simon Bolivar and San Martin

Provincial Government Headquarters

City Hall

Statues of the city leaders discussing Guayaquil's Independence

L to R: Flags of Guayaquil, Ecuador, and Big Macs

The side of this building features a rotating art gallery

Thirty foot high ceramic tile parrot in the suburbs