After
not being able to sleep I was awoken by Sarah knocking at my door asking if we
were going for a hike. We decided to do it and I jumped into acting changing
and getting ready. At breakfast we started chatting to a German couple (Markus
and Sonja) who decided to join us but we also decided it was a little late so
would do a different and shorter hike. We all got ready and made our way to
catch the bus. We actually got a cab instead and made our way to the starting
point. Here we were greeted by some very friendly locals who then sat us down
and explained (in Spanish) that we must take lots of photos and mark Ecuador
and the area we were in. They then said that we had to get a guide to go with
us on the route to ensure we didn't steal any rocks. The guide was $40 and all
of us decided that this was a bit much. Instead we made our way to another hike
close by where we would walk along the beach and it would be free.
We
got the bus to the starting point and then started walking along a dirt road.
It wasn't very scenic as we had to change routes due to the tide being high so
basically just made our way to the beach. A bakkie stopped and we jumped on so
we could save our legs. We got off at the beach and walked along it before
having a swim. This is apparently the best beach in Ecuador as it was long,
sandy, not many waves and picturesque with the forest and cliffs surrounding
it. After enjoying the swim and some sun we made our way to the mirador where
we could look along the coast line. All four of us said that it reminded us of
Portugal (almost at once).
We
went back down to the beach and jumped on the back of another bakkie to catch a
lift back to the main road where we again grabbed a cab to Puerto Lopez. Here
we grabbed a few things for dinner and continued to Ayampe. We decided we
needed a drink and a snack before dinner so we went to a beach restaurant to enjoy
the sunset before returning to the hostel.
We
all showered before getting some food going. At dinner we were joined by Sami
and 2 other German girls (Linda and Shanina) staying at the hostel. We all
chatted for a while with a few beers before we called it a night.
After
reading so much last night I am almost finished my book so was keen to get to
bed where I finished Good Morning Mr Mandela.