Feb.12-Seeing some sights of Salinas

On Sunday our friends Eddie and his wife Paola took us to see some of the highlites around Salinas that we had not seen before. They picked us up in their car around 10AM and the first stop was at a local store to pick up cold cervaza for our trip. Then we drove to the local Army/Airforce base- 5 minutes away- to ask access at the gate. We were going to a private beach at the base where there was a colony of bachelor sea lions. These were the older bachelors that were driven from the main herd on the Galapagos when beaten by a stronger male.
                       We arrived at this incredibly beautiful beach with amazing surf.

This beach is strictly reserved for the base personnel and their friends. Several surfers were enjoying the waves.

We took a short walk to the end of some rocky outcropping and did see two of the sea lions.

And one lonely seal.

I took some great shots of the scenery.

And our amigos, Eddie & Paola

Eddie holding his beer & cigarette under the No Drinking/No Smoking sign.

We then went back out the first entrance gate, drove a block down the road and entered yet another guarded Base entrance to the furthest westerley point in South America called 'Chocolatera'

We walked to an old lighthouse no longer used.

And took some more photos of our happy group

Again there was amazing surf and more opportunities for photos.

This area is open at all times to the public and a 'must see' if you are in the Salinas area.

The ocean and surf views were truly incredible and highly recommended.

After a short stop at our condo for yet more cervaza and vino, Eddie suggested we go to another ocean side village called San Pablo which was maybe 20 minutes drive away.

This village, famous for fishing and seafood, was also on a very wide beach.

We found a recommended restaurant- there were many many all along the beach.

We had yet more cervaza and some great local food. I had arroz y concha ( rice & a local clam) very delicious. The beach views from the restaurant were fabulous.

After eating, we stopped at the local fish market so that Eddie & Paola could buy some clams for dinner.

These are some of the more expensive and extremely rare varieties.

Spondylus is a genus of bivalve mollusks of the order Ostreoida present in different parts of the world, particularly two species of this genus, the species Spondylus princeps and Spondylus cacifer found on the coasts of Peru and Ecuador. Their colors range from orange, red and purple, has some spines or bumps on its shell, which makes them attractive. It is also called "red gold- very expensive even in Ecuador!

Some huge shrimps for sale.

All in all we had a wonderful day with our amigos- mucho gracias!