San Clemente, Ecuador

I lived in San Clemente California, for a half-dozen years back in the 1980's. It is quite a treat now in the 2010's to visit another San Clemente - this one in Ecuador.  That's about where the similarities end.  San Clemente Ecuador is an undeveloped village where the residents for generations have taken to the sea in their small wooden boats to bring back the day's catch.  San Clemente California may have the glitz and the glamour, but San Clemente Ecuador has a beach that's wide and flat, people that are smiling and friendly, water that's warm as a bath, and an air temperature that rarely changes. I would bet that in some distant future this area, like much of the beautiful Ecuadoran coast, will see lots of growth.  There is already a gringo condo development half completed here.   And yes - that is corn lying out in the street, drying under the noon sun for some later meal either in a restaurant or family home.

  This is our beachfront hotel, Palmazul, an extraordinarily beautiful location, facility, and people.  What started as a two-day stay keeps stretching into another and another and another.........maybe we should just move in!

This is the view from our room.  It got so cold one night with the glass doors open, the surf thundering,  and the ocean breeze blowing that I almost had to put a sheet over me to sleep - but on second thought I didn't bother - maybe tomorrow night .............

Here's the beach from our hotel looking north.  Word has it that the two-house compound pictured is for sale.  Rumor is they want $170K total - pretty high prices in these parts.

At midday the boats are waiting above the high tide line for the next outing while the fishermen repair their nets in the shade.

Amy walking north during low tide.  I was surprised to see a 6 foot (2 meter) tidal variation.  Somehow I thought variation at the equator was much less. 

Happy gringa in paradise.

And after all that walking and sun and heat, the gringa must get her rest!  Hasta luego!