Merry Christmas from Ecuador. I hope you all had a merry one. It actually wasn’t very festive at the beach (we couldn’t even find santa hats!) but thanks to the magic of Photoshop it sure looks like it was!

Feliz Navidad

I appreciate all your input on our New Year’s Eve dilemma that I presented last week — splurge to stay on the beach in Moñtanita or save and head for the mountains in Baños? I agree with the majority of you — splurging is a must on occasion! And had we found a great hostel I would have paid almost anything to do it. But the desirable places were booked months ago meaning we’d be paying a fortune to stay a week somewhere pretty unpleasant — which feels less like a splurge and more like a ripoff.

In the end, we decided to head for Baños. We spent a full three weeks at the beach and it was time for a change of pace. We arrived this morning and I’m already feeling relieved and happy about our decision. Plus, while I’m a beach girl, Anders is a mountain guy — and traveling as a pair is all about compromise.

Onto Photo of the Week!

Photo A

The Beach in Montanita, EcuadorWelcome to Moñtanita

Photo B

Smoothie Stand in Montanita, EcuadorDelicious smoothies on the beach

Photo C

Surfboards in Montanita, EcuadorScenes from Moñtanita

Photo D

Sunset in Montanita, EcuadorBeautiful sunsets

Photo E

Colorful Guayaquil, EcuadorColorful scenes in Guayaquil

Which photo is your favorite?

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28 Comments...
  • Stef
    December 29 2013

    Photo C!

    • Alex
      December 30 2013

      I’m a sucker for sneaky iguanas too 🙂

  • Dad
    December 29 2013

    Actually, your photo shopped Christmas picture is my favorite because you guys are in it. But among the actual contenders I would say A, because it looks so warm and relaxing, I like the composition of the palm frond in the pic as a frame and the colorful beach umbrellas C is a spectacular runner up

    • Alex
      December 30 2013

      Aw, shucks. Had to send out a virtual Christmas card somehow!

  • Divelicious Chris
    December 29 2013

    This is a tough one – I think I’m going to have to go with photo E. Although photo C reminds me a lot of Koh Tao which makes the decision quite hard.
    I hope you guys will have an amazing New Years Eve in the mountains! Can’t wait to follow your travels in 2014 🙂

    • Alex
      December 30 2013

      Did you ever see anyone surfing on Koh Tao? I never did, though Stand Up Padding is getting quite popular from what I hear!

      • Divelicious Chris
        December 31 2013

        Sorry, I meant photo B!
        No I don’t think I ever saw any surfers even though a lot of the time we sure had waves enough (but I don’t know if they would have been any good for surfing..).

        • Alex
          January 2 2014

          Ah yes, that makes a lot more sense now 🙂

  • Chris
    December 29 2013

    Loving the surfboards in C this week.

    Will let you know what a NYE is like on Gili soon!

    • Alex
      December 30 2013

      Aw, I miss Gili now! Tell my friends at Big Bubble I say hey 🙂

  • Sarah Somewhere
    December 29 2013

    I like the first one of you two!!! But love them all! Enjoy your new year in the mountains, good call!!

    • Alex
      December 30 2013

      Thanks Sarah! I feel a weight off my shoulders since we arrived. We definitely made the right call, even though it might not have seemed like it at first.

  • Breanna
    December 29 2013

    Photo D! Im a sucker for a sunset!

    • Alex
      December 30 2013

      You should head to Montanita then, Breanna…. there were some stunners there!

  • Gaelyn
    December 30 2013

    So the mountains won. Photo E for all the brilliant colors. And is that Elivs?

    • Alex
      December 30 2013

      I’m going to have to post a lot more about those guys after New Year’s Eve… they are everywhere! Apparently it is a tradition all over Ecuador to build these effigies which are burned on the big night along with fireworks, firecrackers, and all kinds of loud fire-y fun. I can’t wait to see it!

  • becky hutner
    December 30 2013

    The first trio is too cute & those waffles look divine. Then I’d go with A — the row of beach umbrellas in muted colors reminds me of a classic beach scene from 1960s europe!

    • Alex
      December 30 2013

      Yes, it does have a vintage look to it! I’m having a lot of fun with Photoshop actions lately 🙂

  • Rachel of Hippie in Heels
    December 30 2013

    photo C! ithe surfboards remind me of the beach towns of western mexico!

    • Alex
      December 30 2013

      Ah, Mexico is still on my travel wish list!

  • Steve
    December 30 2013

    Tough one this week. I’ll choose D as I like sunsets. I wish you and Anders all the best for 2014.

    • Alex
      December 30 2013

      Thank you Steve, that is very sweet and we wish the same to you and yours!

  • Helen G. Dickerson
    December 30 2013

    I love the photo of sunset. Always been captivated by dramatic sunsets.

    • Alex
      December 30 2013

      Thanks Helen! I know how you feel. I’m a sucker for sunsets myself.

  • Andy
    December 30 2013

    C!! I like it the most.
    I hope you’re having a wonderful and happy time!

    • Alex
      December 30 2013

      Thanks Andy! I can’t complain… life is good 🙂

  • Kathryn
    December 30 2013

    C-1 looks like a painting. Wish I could identify which artist it reminds me of…

    Stunning…

    • Alex
      January 2 2014

      Tell me if you remember!

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