Following the Equator, an Ecuador Fly-N-Ride

The Hostal Baloo is located directly on the beach and is literally the last commercial building in Canoa. In spite of the quiet, peaceful location it is only a three block walk to the center of town. We were the only occupants apart from the owner and a few of his friends and family visiting from the UK.

Canoa is a very chill, laid back beach town and is popular with backpackers who come to surf and enjoy the beach. However, a traveler had been robbed on the beach the previous day by two locals wielding machetes and the whole town was on alert.

The Baloo only serves food on weekends, so our stomachs guided us down the beach toward town. Canoa Beach:




Beach Vendors:


The local fishing boats are rolled past the high tide line using logs:




The Pacific Ocean was surprisingly cold given our proximity to the Equator:


I'm not sure what this little green guy is, but they were all over the beach: :eek1 :eek1



More to follow...

Fantastic ride report so far! Thanks for the great praise and Salina (our shop dog) thanks you for taking a good picture of her.

Keep it coming!

Sweet! Another poolman ride!

Court,

I don't think it is possible to take a bad picture of Salina! It was a great experience dealing with your company.

Sandalscout,

Thanks for joining in. After your experience in Peru I think you would love Ecuador!


All the Best,

The mosquito netting apparently served its purpose, and I awoke refreshed and unbitten. It was early so I decided to take a hike down the beach.


Our cabanas:


Hostal Baloo hammock space:


The Hostal's cat was in no danger of starving:


Mighty KLRs:


Hostal Baloo:

Che Guevara remains a cultural hero in many parts of Ecuador:


Is anyone interested in acquiring a thriving beachfront resort? The Hostal Coco Loco is for sale:




I had given my dinner leftovers to a stray dog the night before and he was waiting for me when I got to the beach:


He found a piece of driftwood and wore my arm out playing fetch:



This is where the tourist was robbed by two machete-wielding locals two days prior:



Muscle Beach:

When I returned to the Baloo I received news the two robbers had been arrested and jailed. Apparently the victim recognized his assailants while shopping in town, found them less intimidating without their machetes, and proceeded to take justice into his own hands. The police intervened, recovered the stolen goods, and locked up the banditos. Canoa is once again safe.

We retrieved the bikes, thanked Phil for his hospitality, and rode down the beach in search of breakfast:






We found a rooftop cafe, ordered omelets, and admired the electrical tap while our food was prepared:

As we saddled up a backpacker offered to take our picture at the Surf Shak:

I'm in Ecuador right now.. just left Quito too! I really enjoy the country and cant wait to ride down here. For now, I'll settle for reading and enjoying your excellent ride report. I've actually been to a few places in your pictures!

flyinturbu,

I'm glad you are enjoying the ride report; you may see more familiar places as it progresses. I am sure Ecuador Freedom can help if you are itching for a motorcycle ride.

Enjoy your time in Ecuador!

All the Best,

The Pacific coastline of Ecuador consists alternatively of serene beaches and jagged cliffs, so our route south would frequently track east around mountains and bays.

We left Canoa under a dark sky and light rain:




A young mother was transporting her baby by moto :eek1 :eek1 :eek1

There was a quick break in the clouds as we followed the coast south, but dark skies returned as we left St. Vincente and approached the new bridge crossing Bahia de Caraquez:

We somehow wound up in the bike lane (short 20 sec video):

I shot a few pictures while crossing the bridge:

interesting ride and thanks for posting....subscribed.

NSFW, Thanks for checking in. I think your Valley Rallly ride report was one of the first I read on Adv!

All the Best,

After crossing the bay, our route turned inland around six mountain peaks that protruded to the rocky coast. We passed through several small towns that were not on the map:



Red Dakar model of questionable authenticity:


CulinT splitting between a slow truck and a passing car:

Rocafuerte was just a small spot on our map, but in actuality was a fairly large city. Tires anyone?


The nice, twisty roads between towns were virtually deserted:


No guns allowed inside the club:


Motos are exempt from paying tolls, and there is often a special bypass lane! Apart from the cost of the tolls, this eliminates the whole process of stopping, removing a glove, digging for change, etc.

We breezed through California:


Then, traffic became heavy as we approached Manta:




It had finally become hot in Ecuador, and we stopped for water. CulinT was not amused by the traffic:


I was, however, amused by two dogs barking at us from the second floor of an uncompleted building:




Ships just outside the port of Manta:

Crashmaster offers great advice for those traveling in Latin America; when stopped by the police, regardless of your proficiency in Spanish, smile warmly and declare " No fumar Español". This wisdom was invaluable in extricating us from a rather sticky situation with the National Police:

Photo by CulinT


More to follow...