Puerto Lopez

The 43 km, coastal drive from Olon to Puerto Lopez was through one small fishing village after another with a few lodge styled resorts scattered between.

_________________________________

PUERTO LOPEZ

... IS  a small fishing village (16,000 inhabitants) set in an arched bay on the Pacific Coast in the Ecuadorian Manabí Province. The village hosts the Machalilla National Park headquarters. Isla de la Plata is a prime destination in the park ... often called the 'Poor Mans Galapagos'. It shares similar terrain and several of the same animal species, including nesting grounds for Blue-footed, Red-footed, and Nazca Boobies as well as the Magnificent Frigate Bird. Industries in Puerto Lopez are focused around fishing and ecotourism. 

We are staying at Tuzco Lodge. It's set about 3 blocks back from the beach and harbour area. Rooms are a good size and very clean. Lovely gardens, pool and sitting areas.  Wonderful friendly staff. There are only a couple of other lodges here that offer similar amenities (breakfast included, private rooms, pool, fridge and a/c). 

Depending on how much rain has fallen the night before and whether or not particular streets are under construction (and consequently, how deep the resulting street mud is from last nights torrential downpour), the slippery walk to the playa can be anywhere from 10 to 40 minutes ... or if you want, rent a tuk-tuk for $1 (for 2 people). But, lacking doors, these 'auto rickshaws' as they are also called; won't keep the mud spray out ... you won't be much cleaner when you arrive but you will get there faster!

Construction progress is very slow here ... new underground services are being installed, sidewalks formed up, eventually there may be pavement. Manpower and hand-tools often provide the labour instead of heavy equipment, you may see an old bulldozer or broken down back-hoe, rarely a high-hoe. Hammers and chisels replace jackhammers, cement is often mixed in concrete boats and the raw materials screened on site. Power grinders are used like skill saws to cut concrete forms.

FISHING

Puerto Lopez is one of the larger fishing villages along this coast ...  commercial and sport fishing are important activities;  amberjack, dolphin, mahi-mahi, wahoo, marlin, swordfish, hammer-head shark and several species of tuna.

A new fish processing plant is being built (lower left)

Squid and Mahi-Mahi

FOOD

Don't expect a quick turn-around on a restaurant order anywhere in Ecuador; well, at least any restaurant we've visited! There are no Sysco trucks here, restaurants don't rely on processed foods or canned soups, no long microwave banks that just reheat pre-prepared appetizers and entrees, no ready-made deserts. This is the culture and  ... 'we prefer it'! We've been told, up to 70% of all food in Ecuador is organic, meals are prepared as ordered ... we have waited close to an hour for a lunch as simple as 'chicken with rice and salad' to be cooked and served. 

Restaurant owner Roberto hopped on his scooter and went in search of a botella de vino blanco frio (bag in right hand). 

This often ... Takes Some Time!

Don't be surprised if your waiter has to run (literally) to the nearest Super-Mercado for a bottle of wine or beer, some cheese or a bunch of basil. Restaurants don't stock anymore than they need to. Take-out containers, same story ... your waiter may need to find one at any of a number of nearby businesses, restaurants or general stores. 



STREET SCENES

Amigo's business is delivering propane. His bike's chain slipped off ... not an easy one man job to reset it; particularly with this bridges grade and no kickstand to hold the bike steady.  Gringo labour to the rescue. An hour later he passed us on the street - big smile and wave!

Collecting bottles or selling cerveza ... not sure?

Water is delivered to households and businesses by tanker ... no wells, water tanks or municipal pumping stations here.

Standing around ... waiting for anything to die.

Triathlon in town when we visited.

_________________________________________________________

We're LOAFin Around  

... but without LOAF this time (he's in his winter spa). 

Follow along, if you like.

Our latest route is included on TRAVELMAP 2019.   

For all posts from this latest adventure click Trip 146 

Wikipedia and others have provided backlinks.

All photography is by LOAFin Around, unless otherwise noted. 

And finally, here's a link to our complete 2019 ECUADOR photo gallery. You'll find Puerto Lopez photos at the end ... if you're still interested.

Wry and Crusty ... 

________________________________________________________