Sun, sea, surfing, and cowboys

Trip Start Aug 04, 2008

Trip End Ongoing

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Where I stayed

Ruta del sol

(Las Tunas hotels)

Flag of Ecuador Ayampe, Ecuador
Friday, January 16, 2009

Being back on the coast feels good! The sun is shining and the water is green and warm like a bath. We met up with Will and Tamsin again in Ayampe, just north of the tourist mecca and therefore avoided Monta�ita. There we got a little surf on, made a sweet rum and watermelon combo and cooked an amazing barbecue with tuna, king prawns, marlin and baked potatoes from the local market. janey, Pete and I also went for a horse ride. This was alot of fun and beautiful along the beach at sunset. The main reason it was so fun was for the ample serving of craziness included. It started when Pete and Janey's horses tried to kick each other and the guide had to split them apart. Later my horse, Pepito, scuffled with janey's horse too. Then there was the galloping untill we were barely in control, going up and down very steep hills. Finally we came across a horse that had been let to graze where we were. Theguide advised us to get to the other side and he tried to keep it away. Unfortunately it cut across my path and my horse was up for some fisticuffs

! My horse reared onto its hind legs then bucked backwards. Meanwhile i was hanging on for everything i had and feeling the adrenaline's arrival. I stayed on till the guide split them up and we went gently on our way whilst my heart thumped.

We have now moved north to Canoa, which is a nice town for surfing, and here i've finally learned to turn if only slightly. we had a little problem yesterday as pete accidently broke a rental board. At first they wanted us to get it fixed which we were only too happy to do and we went with their son to a repair shop. when we returned, however, they had decided that we should buy the whole board, for a total of $250. Now i wouldn't know, but Will says that the board was an awful, beat-up heap and was worth $70 tops. We argued and they threatened to call the police. We said "fine" and they did. the police arrived but didn't really do anything but mediate the argument. If they were on anyone's side, however, it seemed to be ours. After much argument, Pete went to his room and got $70. He put it on the table and said that is all we're paying and we walked off. The police and everyone let us go and so that was the end of it. We avoid that street now though.

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