We stopped for a bit to admire the rain forest. Really, this is a single leaf. I think this will make a smashing good profile picture too!
I believe this farmer is harvesting sugar cane. This is when I really begin to regret only knowing my 4 words of spanish. He sees me stop and walks over. He extends his hand and begins to speaks. Alas, the best I can do is tell him I don't speak Spanish. Before we head back down, our Spanish must improve as I think it could add so much to the experience!
I believe this farmer is harvesting sugar cane. This is when I really begin to regret only knowing my 4 words of spanish. He sees me stop and walks over. He extends his hand and begins to speaks. Alas, the best I can do is tell him I don't speak Spanish. Before we head back down, our Spanish must improve as I think it could add so much to the experience!
Ecuador is the 4th largest producer of CaCao (Chocolate). There are different varieties, and these red pods are the less desirable ones, but are also native to Ecuador. CaCao only grows in a thin band of earth--latitudes +20 degrees to -20 degrees.
Once the beans are fermented in a box covered with bananas leaves for 3-9 days, they are dried out. This is how the country folk do it
They also grow many types of citrus fruits
Now on day 3, we are becoming old pros on sourcing food. We find a restaurant, and have no expectation of a menu. We are ready for more souppa, chicken and rice. We are also now experimenting. The souppa is sometimes very good mixed with the rice! We eat very well, for $6 to 2 people. Again, another missed opportunity to talk to the locals. The entire restaurant bids us farewell. That and the guy in the red/white shirt wants to buy the Husquvarna Terra for the $6 we just gave him. Since it is a Husquvarna, the deal seems fair to me!
San Luis de las Mercedes is a fabulous little town. No graffeti, well painted, and frankly everything you'd expect from a movie set.
As we depart San Luis, they have decided to start paving the way through the Palm Groves. While I am upset that my dual sport ride is now more pavement, the road is all but empty with no traffic. The ashalt doesn't even have a pimple on it, and they haven't attempted to straighten it out much. We are left with a road which are much more fun than some named after lizards in the States.
The road then meanders into the Palm Groves. Palm Oil is used in many applications from bio fuel, cosmetics, margarine, to food stuffs. You've probably never noticed, because it's often labeled as "vegetable oil"
The road then meanders into the Palm Groves. Palm Oil is used in many applications from bio fuel, cosmetics, margarine, to food stuffs. You've probably never noticed, because it's often labeled as "vegetable oil"
We get into Quevedo very early around 1500. But look at this gem that greets us at the hotel, and Olympic sized pool with pool side bar!
