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!
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
Photo B
Delicious smoothies on the beach
Photo C
Photo D
Photo E
Which photo is your favorite?
Photo C!
I’m a sucker for sneaky iguanas too 🙂
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
Aw, shucks. Had to send out a virtual Christmas card somehow!
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 🙂
Did you ever see anyone surfing on Koh Tao? I never did, though Stand Up Padding is getting quite popular from what I hear!
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..).
Ah yes, that makes a lot more sense now 🙂
Loving the surfboards in C this week.
Will let you know what a NYE is like on Gili soon!
Aw, I miss Gili now! Tell my friends at Big Bubble I say hey 🙂
I like the first one of you two!!! But love them all! Enjoy your new year in the mountains, good call!!
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.
Photo D! Im a sucker for a sunset!
You should head to Montanita then, Breanna…. there were some stunners there!
So the mountains won. Photo E for all the brilliant colors. And is that Elivs?
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!
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!
Yes, it does have a vintage look to it! I’m having a lot of fun with Photoshop actions lately 🙂
photo C! ithe surfboards remind me of the beach towns of western mexico!
Ah, Mexico is still on my travel wish list!
Tough one this week. I’ll choose D as I like sunsets. I wish you and Anders all the best for 2014.
Thank you Steve, that is very sweet and we wish the same to you and yours!
I love the photo of sunset. Always been captivated by dramatic sunsets.
Thanks Helen! I know how you feel. I’m a sucker for sunsets myself.
C!! I like it the most.
I hope you’re having a wonderful and happy time!
Thanks Andy! I can’t complain… life is good 🙂
C-1 looks like a painting. Wish I could identify which artist it reminds me of…
Stunning…
Tell me if you remember!