Arrival in Puerto Lopez

We woke up this morning to rain, the first time except for a few sprinkles when we arrived in Manta. It rained till about 3 pm, but since today was a travel day, it didn’t bother us at all. We had some great papaya for breakfast, with croissants and instant coffee. We did some Skype-ing and packed up for the bus ride to Puerto Lopez.  I highly recommend Hostal Manakin in Manta, the people were nice, one spoke English; the grounds were beautifully kept; and the room was comfortable, not fancy, but comfortable. Most of my computer time was spent at the first table in the picture. This is their outdoor patio that overlooks a front yard full of plants and flowers.

We took a taxi to the bus station and found the bus company that makes the run to Puerto Lopez. $3 each for the 76 mile trip. The bus we rode did not have chickens, but it had apparently been a Greyhound bus back in the 1970s. There was still one Greyhound logo on it. The seat backs broke many years ago and now only recline, so it was difficult for Phillip to maneuver into the window seat. It was local bus, so many passengers had been shopping in Manta and were carrying home bags of rice (one person had a 50 pound bag of rice) and other food.

Except for Phillip getting dirty water in his face from the side of the bus when he stuck his head out the window to look at the houses, the 2-1/2 hour ride was fine. The driver had put our suitcase on the dashboard, so I could see it the entire time. No pictures from the bus, but this picture is the taxi we rode from the bus station to the hostal in Puerto Lopez. Motorcycle front with two wheels and a cab on back. It had the curtains because of the rain.

We are at Hosteria Mandala in Puerto Lopez, and if I thought Hostal Manakin was nice, this place is paradise. We have a cabin, nestled among the tropical plants.  Let me walk you from the reception area, down these steps. The path is not gravel, but finely crushed sea shells. They aren’t sharp on our feet, and make a slight “crunch” sound as we walk.

We are in the Langosta (Lobster) cabin. The key is attached to a wooden lobster cut-out that is about 16” long. Each cabin has a different name with a corresponding huge key so people will remember to leave it at the front desk if they go to the beach or into town.

Back to our walk to the cabin, you can see the path and greenery in these two pictures. But we aren’t there yet, and the path curves and winds around.

More turns and more flowers. Don’t drink more than two of those grande cervezas and try this!

Almost there… this is the sign for our cabin…. See the lobster?

Our cabin, with a covered patio, lobsters painted on the door, and Phillip already in the hammock!

The beds have mosquito netting around them. I’ll put interior pictures on a future post. Phillip is currently watching the Superbowl. This paradise has wireless internet and DirectTV, in addition to beautiful grounds and grande cervezas.