Pope Francis in Ecuador

Pope Francis arrived yesterday for a two day visit to Ecuador.  He will be in Guayaquil for two services and then to Quito for other activities and celebrations. There will be no fewer than a million persons at the service in Guayaquil. The Pope's motorcade will pass withing 3 blocks of our house, but alas we have chosen to skip the crowds and watch on TV.  Bienvenido, Papa Francisco! 

Pacific Whales Tails

Whale watching on the 4th of July . . . off the coast of Ecuador.  Beautiful beasts frolicking in the warm Pacific waters.  Every year, thousands of humpback whales migrate 8000 miles from near Antarctica to feed and reproduce  We were lucky enough to see several breaching in the high seas, and several others showing off their massive tails.  Here are a few:

Independence Day Relaxation at the Beach!

The Dolphin Suite: our home for the weekend!

We headed north along Ecuador's coastline to Puerto Lopez, a town known for its whale watching tours . . . we'll head out in a few hours to enjoy these massive creatures frolicking in the cool Pacific waters.  We are staying in a great home-made resort, Hosteria Mandala.  Friends have called it the best hotel in Ecuador, and we don't disagree.  Funky and whimsical with a great beachside location.  We asked to stay in the Dolphin Suite, as we have a thing about dolphins (it took two dolphins to convince Shelly to say yes to my marriage proposal 30 years ago this month!)

Happy Independence Day!!!

Our main activity this weekend

Dolphins on a stick

We recommend this funky beach resort

Brilliant whales tails

Shelly in the front yard

Our special place and friend

Front door

A sunset walk on the beach

Bob Marley's place nearby

Life at the equator