January 24 to February 8- My family visits Salinas

Every two years my family and I meet for a family vacation in the winter somewhere warm as most of them live in Canada. Two years ago we met in an all-inclusive resort in Panama and this year nine of them plus my dear friend of 60 years, Heather, are visiting me here in Salinas, Ecuador woohoo!

The only people from my family who could not make it were my niece’s son Kyle, who just went back to school, and my daughter Nicole, who lives in Italy and just started a new job.

Since we only have a 3 bedroom condo, I had to rent another apartment- a penthouse on the main malecon- for the overflow.

On Saturday January 24, the first 7 arrived- my son Ron & his girlfriend Sue, my nephew Neil & his wife Bernadette, my niece Melanie & her daughter Taylor and my friend Heather.

Sunday was a beautiful day so a beach day in front of our condo was planned. Uwe made a pitcher of his very dangerous margaritas (1 part freshly squeezed limes, 2 parts trible-sec & 3 parts tequila) – you SHOULD only have one LOL. I won’t go into the details of the afternoon but be assured a good time was had.

That evening my friend Luccy opened her restaurant just for my family. The restaurant has a beautiful outdoor eating area and Luccy’s food is awesome.

The next day we planned a trip to Supermaxi, our large grocery store, since the group staying at the Penthouse needed supplies. We took the local bus there- their first experience with Salinas Transit.

After shopping, four of us were meeting my friend Susana to go visit one of the local public schools. Melanie, Taylor & Heather had bought school supplies for the children. The school was located in a very poor area and was always in need of help.

We visited both a grade 5 class and a grade 7. Taylor was anxious to meet local kids near her own age. The kids were very well behaved and very thankful for our help.

My grandson Bryan, his wife Amanda and my sweetie- great grand daughter Victoria- were to arrive late Monday night/early Tuesday morning. Around 3:30Pm on Monday afternoon I got a text to call Bryan. This was the time their flight was to leave Toronto and they were still at home! Seems that they misread the itinerary and didn’t think their flight left until much later. After several phone calls and mucho dinero, they were booked on the next day’s flight.

Our Tuesday night diner of pizza at Marco’s Dolar Pizza place- delicious!

Bryan, Amanda & Victoria arrived around 3AM Wednesday morning and then got up at 6:30AM to go with Melanie & Taylor and Neil on  the day trip to Isla la Plata in Puerto Lopez approximately 2 hours north of Salinas.

That meant I had my sweetie to myself ( well, OK, shared with my son Ron, her Opa).

The whole group of us had several wonderful days on the beach, some had massages,

 most drank beer served by our favorite vendor, Delfina,

 some had lunch delivered, some bought clothes, jewellery, key hangers etc from the many vendors and we ALL had a great time together.

On Friday a few of us took the bus to Montanita, our favorite surf town about an hour up the coast.

                               We had a delicious lunch at Hola Ola.

Shopped around the many vendors there

                            And checked out the amazing beach.

That evening we walked to Sin bar so I could introduce my family to a few of our many friends in Salinas. Kim was serving his delicious chicken plus it was Karaoke night and Ron’s girlfriend Sue loved to sing.

                  We loved the food and took turns dancing with Victoria.

                                And Sue was a hit with her singing!

Saturday night we had a cocktail party for our friends at the Penthouse for yet another chance for everyone to meet my family.

And many many pictures were taken- some great ones of my entire group.

That Monday it was time for the first of our group to leave- Ron and Sue – and the next day, Melanie and Taylor left.

Bryan, Amanda and Victoria were staying until Thursday so we had a few more beach days with them. Victoria was not impressed with the sand though by the time they left she did walk a few feet at a time on it LOL. We placed a mat for her in our carpa and she happily played with pail & shovels.

As far as the water- no go. She had been badly frightened during one of her swimming lessons back home so the ocean would have to wait until next year.

We had until Sunday for the last group to leave, Neil and Bernadette and Heather.

                        Our last diner together Saturday night at Hotel Amira.

My job in the next few months is to plan our next family vacation in January / February 2017!