Sunday morning comin' down.......

Song title from Kris Kristofferson - thank you Kris.

After Mass at the New Cathedral (Catedral de la Immaculate Concepción) and lighting a couple of candles we decided to walk around and look for a place to have coffee.

 We walked through the park (Parque Calderon).

We saw people making music ( and selling CD's).

People selling goodies.......

and lottery tickets......

And flowers......

 flowers........

And more flowers.

Beautiful flowers!

We continued on looking for a coffee shop.

This would not do!

 We finally found a place called GODA.

Bob decided since there were 2 nuns sitting at a table it would not be too expensive!

After the best cheese empanadas and cappuccino, reasonably priced for an upscale
restaurant, we headed home to watch the  World Cup Soccer game.

Street scenes

We took random pictures today as we strolled in el centro

                                   Morning clouds over the mountains (from our balcony)

El Centro

These guys were juggling for the cars at a red light - moved when the light turned green.

                                                   Very Catholic city and country!

                         Clothes drying on grass after being washed in the river

Our visit to the coast

We decided to take the bus to visit our friends in Punta Carnero.
The first leg of the ride, to Guayaquil, was about 4 hours in a comfortable tour bus.  The terminal in Guayaquil is huge and the people very helpful.  It has 3 floors of gates and a huge food court.

Then another comfortable bus, with a movie (in Spanish) to Santa Elena. Another really nice terminal.  From there we took a taxi to Las Palmas De Mar, in Punta Carnero, the B&B where we stayed.
Bus fare from Cuenca to Guayaquil - $12.00 each, from Guayaquil to Santa Elena - $3.30 each, taxi to Punta Carnero - $5.00.

This place is amazing - It is immaculate, well designed for fun and comfort, right on the beach.  You couldn't ask for anything more.

The 'guard dogs' are Josie and Annabelle.  Friendly, beautiful dogs,with unique personalities. They can come and live with me anytime!

                                                                  Annabelle

                                                                View from our bedroom's balcony.

                                                           Our hosts, Heather and John.

                    Went whale watching - 10 of us in this boat including the captain with the white hat.

Before I got sick.............!

Town of Salinas

Saturday night we had an awesome meal shared with a family from Cuenca. The card game after dinner was really fun "Wizard".

We had a shrimp dish and salad that was so good, plus other dishes I can't remember the names.

Sunday found me swimming.

Heather works with their guardian's son on English.

Visited and met, finally, Dodie and Randy (FB friends) 

They have a lovely place with rental casitas

Another shrimp dinner out with friends, Richard and Janis, Heather and John, in Salinas.

Our taxi driver, on the way back to the bus terminal, gave us a quick tour of the area and the fishing boats.  This picture was taken in La Libertad, a town near Salinas. 

Arrived home just in time for dinner, safe and sound.

Had a wonderful trip - can't say enough goof things about the B&B, food and ocean.  Amazing!