One of Ecuador's tocken beaches

Puerto Lopez and Los Frailes are some of my favorite beaches in Ecuador....come visit and Ill be sure to take you there!

During June and July, you can look out and see whales from this ledge....Innnncredible!Dan and I went horseback riding through the country side and then hiked through the rainforest area. Our guide gave us pretty free range of riding our horses so we had to test them out to see how fast they could go. Dan was amused at the fact that everytime hesignaled his horse Rusty to go faster, my horse Hammer Time would do the same.

Sandcastles at Los Frailes

Hike in Los Frailes.

Moto-taxi after a good day of snorkeling at the beach

Hammer Time

Branded with the letters "HAM," my horse, as I knew him, became "Hammer Time" and he was nothing short of being spunky :)

¨Cant touch this...da na na na na.....¨

Cowboy Dan

Good times horse back riding....

Cumpleanos de Dan

Dan turns 26!

Margs, sopapias and spa day to celebrate Dans birthday

I loved the flowers at the spa/hot springs

hot springs for 5 hrs (in Ecuador) = relaxed but sunburned...opps!
cheers y feliz cumpleanos! TQM

Another visitor!

Dan came out to visit /spoil me. We had a great time traveling around together and just enjoying being in the same country.Beaches, snorkeling, horses, community dances, birthday celebrations, spas, and hikes = lots of good memories!
Sushi bar, which worked out nicely since there wasnt any electricity in the city when we arrived. :/
Dan: weird how theres no music in this resturaunt.....haha

My host brother Joselo also couldn't wait for Dan´s visit. He had me send this picture to Dan before he came out to show him how excited he was to work on bikes with him.2 out of the 3 nights in my site, Dan and Joselo spent all evening fixing up bikes. My host brother couldnt have been happier, and Dan got lots of time to practice his Spanish heheCanoe ride in my siteThe lake Poza Honda

combo of Zoolander + gangster
We traveled around the southern part of Ecuador...Cuenca and Vilcabamba, which are BEAUTIFUL but requiered some long bus rides.beetles

Cuenca reminds me of a lovely little European city with its Spanish influence seen in the architecture. This is Dan in front of the broken bridge.

Trip to Vilcabamba

It is said that in Vilcabamba a.k.a. Valley of Longevity people live to 100 years-old. Some have have even reached the prime age of 135, which means Vilcabamba is home to some of the oldest people in the world...they say its in the water but we weren´t willing to risk the amibas. hehe

Stunning views
World´s largest aloe vera plants

Dan being artsy:)

Enjoying our patio in our cabana. Hammocks are glorious!

Beating Dan in pool ;)

After our game of pool, I actually got Dan up and salsa dancing....good times!

happy THANKSgiving

The older I get, the more I think I could write a list about a mile long of everything I am thankful for. I would start by thanking the Lord for the people who love me and challenge me to live life to the fullest. Good health, physical provisions, and my amazing family and friends would be high on the list, not to mention life lessons, live music, snorkeling, daily mercies, letters in the mail, Olive Garden salad and sour patch kids. I could go on, but you get the idea. So, this Thanksgiving, lets give thanks not just with our lips but with our actions. Loving as we have been loved. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Here are some pix from Dan and I's Thanksgiving with the PC crew...thanks Lisa for hosting turkey day at your place!

Turkey drawing contest. We have Groovy Gobbler and a turkey bringing the U.S and Ecuador together

Dan and I's turkey. hehe

Some of the crew

Dan's dinner plate....big group gathering means you have to get creative

Thanksgiving is spent best with other Americans :)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Halloween PC style

Halloween with other Peace Corps friends in CuencaScary clown, Blue-footed Booby, Dora the Explorer, Richard Simons, the World Map and a traditional Ecuadorian woman from Manabi were just some of the few who were present

Cuenca is a beutiful quaint city that is rated the #1 place IN THE WORLD to retire. It´s worth checking out!