Eight Days of Ecuador…Day 4

On Day 4 of our eight days of Ecuador adventure, the ongoing lack of sleep, exacerbated by the heat and the previous night’s cricket incident in Puerto López, was really catching up to me. I definitely woke up on the grumpy side of the bed. I needed to regain my composure so I could effectively teach this photography travel abroad class, which was slowly spiraling out of control. Be sure to read day 3!

Day 4 – Monday, April 23: Fishing Village Charms and Early Morning Excursions

Once I was up and dressed, I headed out, ready to go! We’d been told we could return to shower after our morning excursion before checking out. So, we set off down the road towards the pier in Puerto López, a truly beautiful and quaint fishing village nestled in an arched bay within Ecuador’s Manabí Province. The beach was alive with activity: fishing boats dotted the shore, while fishermen headed out or returned, engaged in their daily pursuit of earning a living.

We stopped for breakfast along the way at the Patacon Pisa’o Restaurant before heading out by boat for our special experience.

As we left the restaurant, Mathew stopped a guy on a motorcycle and asked if he would give Eric a ride to the pier, the man obliged!

As I got to the pier, there was a local gentleman standing at the entrance, and I motioned if he would allow me to take a picture. He smiled, and I was able to get this photo as I walked toward the boat.

Birds, Boats, and Blue-Footed Boobies!

Ecuador boasts an incredible 1,627 confirmed bird species, and today, we were about to encounter a seabird that would undoubtedly spark jokes all day long! Fishing is a cornerstone enterprise in Puerto López, with common catches including amberjack, dolphin, wahoo, marlin, and various tuna species.

We boarded a boat not far from the restaurant, and after about an hour’s ride, we arrived at Isla de la Plata, a captivating island nestled in the South Pacific Ocean.

Hiking Isla de la Plata: The Ecological Reserve

The weather on Isla de la Plata was typically hot and humid, with a slight, sticky drizzle of mist clinging to the air. Today, our adventure took us into the ecological reserve of the Machalilla National Park. We embarked on a mile-long loop, ascending a series of stairs to reach Los Acantilados, ready to discover what awaited us at the top.

 

The conditions were intense: over 90 degrees Fahrenheit with at least 90% humidity. This, combined with the extreme uphill climb of the staircase, made for a very difficult hike. I found myself worried about some of the students experiencing heatstroke, especially since several had very fair complexions. I truly hoped they had remembered to apply strong sunscreen, as the sun was now shining fully overhead.

Along the hike, we encountered various colonies of marine birds that make this unique landscape their home, including the famously comical blue-footed booby. For hours, we all laughed at the predictable comments that arise from seeing “boobies.” Yes, we may have all reverted to our 12-year-old selves, but what is life without a little humor!

Once we got to the top, we enjoyed a breathtaking view of the water below. It was a great place to rest before heading back down the trail.

Mathew shot some footage of the students near the cliff for the video he would put together later for the college.

 

 

Post-Hike Snorkeling and a Distant Whale Sighting

After our hike, we re-boarded the boat and searched for a suitable spot to snorkel off the rocky shoreline. In the distance, we glimpsed a humpback whale breaching, but it was too far away to truly appreciate. Unfortunately, we weren’t in peak season for whale sightings.

About half the group bravely entered the water to snorkel. The water had grown colder, and feeling like I was coming down with something, I opted to stay on the boat. Those who did snorkel seemed to enjoy the view of the white coral reef below.

 

 

It was time to head back to shore, and after our long boat ride, we realized we were running late. To our surprise, two of our rooms had already been cleaned out for new guests! Once we coped with the craziness of quickly cleaning up, packing, and rushing to get on the bus, we finally stopped for some much-anticipated lunch. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on some ceviche with shrimp and octopus, it was absolutely wonderful.

Onward to Bahía de Caráquez and the Saiananda Hotel

After our late lunch, it was time to head a couple of hours north to Bahía de Caráquez. We were all looking forward to settling in at this location until our very last day, especially the prospect of having the same room for more than one night!

Upon our arrival, we were warmly greeted by Chantal and Alfredo at the Saiananda hotel. It was incredibly comforting to know we’d be staying at this beautiful place right on the water for the next four days. Later, Alfredo and his staff prepared a delicious vegetarian Ecuadorian dinner for us, featuring rice, plantains, soup, and salad. We ate family-style in an open area of the hotel, right next to the water, enjoying the serene atmosphere. The Saiananda Eco-Hotel is known for its tranquil environment, lush surroundings, and unique wildlife, making it a truly peaceful retreat.

After this fourth day of travel, our experience was about to take a significant turn. While on the surface, this first-ever travel abroad class for Nossi College of Art appeared to be going perfectly, the truth was, it wasn’t aligning with how a true photography travel assignment should unfold. I was growing increasingly frustrated by the excessive travel miles, historical hikes, and incredibly long days, all with virtually no opportunity to teach or for us to shoot during optimal daylight hours. The students were visibly exhausted and showing signs of distress. Mathew and I were also feeling the effects, both coming down with some sort of illness that I’m sure was due to the immense pressure and lack of sleep.

None of these challenges could have been anticipated beforehand, but Mathew and I both realized we urgently needed to spend more time shooting and less time traveling. After getting the green light from Nossi College back in the U.S., Mathew and I met with Chantal and Alfredo that evening to discuss how we could restructure the itinerary to allow for more dedicated shooting time. We needed better opportunities to capture images with good light at the right time of day, and to move beyond candid travel shots, birds, and landscapes.

My primary goal for this trip was to empower the students to genuinely capture the culture and various aspects of how the Ecuadorian people live. With over 20 years as a commercial photographer, I know this trip is a phenomenal opportunity for these students to document culture firsthand. Moving forward, that’s precisely what they would get to do.

We ended our night with a complimentary Tibetan Singing Bowls meditation, hosted by Alfredo and Chantal in a special room at the hotel. It was a wonderfully soothing way to conclude a long, hot, and stressful day of travel. The provided image offers just a glimpse before the lights dimmed, allowing us all to fully immerse ourselves in the experience.

I hope you will come back soon for day five when our trip takes a complete and transforming turn that will forever change all of us. 

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