Flavia & Gregory go LA

We changed our plans to visit the Cuyabeno reserve in the Ecuadorian jungle and decided to head for Ecuador`s coast for some sea breeze and seafood. So we went to Canoa, a tiny seaside village about 9 hours from Quito. We stopped in Bahia de Caraquez on the way, which was ok for a stay of 12 hours or so.... Pretty run-down, friendly, hot. We went to visit this place called Saiananda , which is meant to be an animal refuge and spiritual centre, but frankly we were not impressed. The place is pretty big and run down, the owner is rearing lots of tank fish and keeps all other animals in pretty cramped cages, included a cow!!! The main reason for going there was to see a sloth, and when we got there we were told that we would not see it because it usually hides behind the refrigerator!!! the only free animal in the place and hiding. Grunt! then fortunately we stayed for a fruit juice and just by chance, while I was lying down in a hammoc, I spotted the sloth under the table!!! it was sleeping hugging another smaller sloth. very nice.

From Bahia we moved to Canoa, our selected destination. we were really lucky and picked the best possible place we could pick - Hostal Bambu. This is a paradise of a hostal right on the beach right in town, with ample spaces, nice cabins, a great restaurant and a fantastic cocktail bar. They had a pool and a ping-pong table on the premises, which we enjoyed throughout our stay. The weather was terrible and we never even entered the water, but it was really nice all the same. We had lots of gorgeous seafood and got semi-drunk every evening, with cocktails at a dollar each during happy hour and 2 dollars afterwards.... Excellent place, highly recommended.

The main reason for going to Canoa...

In Canoa a very good artisan copied Gregory`s tagua necklace for us, so that we are now officially both Nazcan monkeys

This unlucky turtle was dying on the beach after probably having been hit by a boat. We tried putting it back in the sea but it kept floating back.