A Trip to Ecuador
Ancient Land of the Shrimp

Flying in to Guayaquil over Ecuador

First shrimp sighting.....

.....making traditional Hayacas.

Best connected Shrimp Hotel in Guayaquil.

Map of Ecuador This link did not organise this trip but may be a better map than the one taken here on the left in Playas.

Journey was from Guayaquil south to El Morro and Playas on day one. Then up north through Punta Blanca and onto Montanita (Baja Montanita), Atamari and Puerta Lopez for the rest.

Below is El muerto rock formation en El Morro. Legend has it that a giant fell here and was converted to rock.

and views from the top of the giants head ........note the outstretched arm

and the backbone....................

The decaying Church at El Morro.....in need of help urgently.......

Puerto El Morro.......Shrimp boats tied up during "veda"

The Alien mangrove crabs......in their "planchas". Great screensavers...

Staying the night in Los Patios.......Swiss run with a well stocked bar but no web link.

Surf Site for Andres..........he says he's leavin......

Day 2. Up to Atamari just south of Puerto Lopez, Manabi.

The beach at Olon.......

The Whale Cafe in Puerto Lopez.....

Kevin and Diana at the Whale Cafe in Puerto Lopez. They used to have the Pizzeria in Playas.

Montanita surfing beach. Taken from Baja montanita.....a hippie centre of South America according to Lonely Planet

Rooftop view of village.......

.......the last sunset of the 20th Century at Atamari.

Ritual Shaman Cleansing......but too dark to see anything

The night in Atamari. Everything in alignment.

The Macrobio Shrimp hatchery from the Cumbres of Ayangue (and below).

Shrimp for sale at airport.

Why ancient?

Because we could not find many shrimp !

An example of resource exploitation over sustainable aquaculture?