Buenos Dias,

We are more than half way through our short term voyage as of this point. We sailed away from Manta Ecuador last night as the Ecuadorian National fotbol team played the mighty Argentina squad … It doesn’t matter much to me who won , just nice to see some national pride.

We are so lucky to have been born in the USA with an attitude that we as a nation united can be so strong and achieve amazing goals. Our healthcare, hospitals, Engineering, Universities, road systems, railways , air transit, software development and Olympic athletes are all world class .Did you know that Ecuador has won only two metal ever in the Olympic games? Both by one guy who does the goofiest event there is , speed walking. We have travelled to many countries on many continents and simply see a different way of life. People make due, I can’t tell you how many cab drivers we met w/ 5 kids and many of those kids have gone on to higher education and “professional jobs”. I can imagine the types of homes they live in, at least 3 to a room (likely converted living space by day to bedroom by night) probably running water which would give you or I rockin’ diarrhea . Which of course would send you to the ever pleasant out house constructed by a cousin out of tin and scrap wood he found.  All transported to the site by 75 cc motorbike on a dirt track.

We really enjoyed our time in Ecuador , found the scenery and the people both unique and beautiful. We had a wild ride about 200 km (1:40 min) in a trashed red van that was barely holding it together. My first tip off was the sever grinding of gears due to a sketchy clutch the second and a bit more dicey was the cans of empty brake fluid in the enter consul and on the floor. No matter to our 5 foot tall 68 year old coke bottle glasses wearing Mario Andretti, he was going to get the Gringos to the boat . We made it w/ many gasps for Mom in the back seat, it is mountainous so the up hills are at walking pace and downhills are like sledding down the Andes’ . I know , Raul the driver was into it because of the way he leaned into the turns like he was on a street bike. Suspention is a good thing!!

Anyway we made it to the coolest little beach town Purto Lopez , had a wild west kinda feel w/ a case of fishing addiction . Trucks , bikes , farm animals and every kind of colorful boat you could think of.  We hopped out of the “taxi” paid our guide the $20 for the safe arrival . He was proud of his skill and knowledge of the road. We then boarded a a solidly built 28 footer w/ twin Yamaha 150’s for our trip to Isla de la Plata and our quest to see the Blue footed boobie. The trip was fun , the other 6 or so passengers were all young Germans so of course not stopping to take a breath our fearless leader/nurse/wife/mom quickly switched to German and carried on w/ our new friends. I was praying for someone from Brazil to greet us at the Island so Traci could again switch languages, then perhaps a west African J … at least our kids will start languages in 5^th grade .

We made it to the deserted mountain island created by a shift in the tectonic plates  and began our march , we marched for 2 and ½ hours in some serious heat . We saw some incredible looking birds and one lizard. I think even bear gril the famed survivor might have a tough one for 4 or 5 days on this rock. that looked liked it might have last rained  in 1990. We then snorkeled w/ sea turtles and some fish, gorgeous water.

Our next move  was to head to the mountains and a city called Quito. We had a wonderful time. Traci had to take on the roll they brought her here for and help w/ a student who the sent to the hospital there. (severely impacted and infected wisdom tooth or teeth) W/out Traci advocating for this poor girl she would have been one very scared 20 yr old in a foreign country where she doesn’t speak the language about to have surgery. Not fun. All seems to be well and the student will be meeting us in Panama.

We drove all through the mountains and visited a school , saw a volcanic crater and basically just explored. The Ecuadorian people nice. I saw an out fit that rents you a big enduro motorcycle and set up a 6 day trip 3 days of straight riding ending up in a bungalow surf village for three days of surfing , fishing and tooling around on your bike… my kinda trip!  Some day perhaps.

Hope all is well . We are on our way to Central America and Panama city.

And if you are wondering what the dish of "food' is , it's que otherwise known as Guinea pig!! Yumm

Our current postion:

Latitude 0’ 24 min N

Longitude 82’ 24 W

course 2'

Signing off

Capt J