Guayaquil

As you know if you follow our blog, we go through periods of blogging and then, no blogging. During the last no blogging period, we spent a weekend in Guayaquil. When the cold weather is more than Mick can handle, we go to the coast.

You usually hear only bad things about Guayaquil, however, we really like it and always enjoy a weekend there. There are fabulous restaurants and of course, there's MickeyD's. We always stay at Courtyard, which is modern and offers very good service.

While in Guayaquil, we frequent Samborondon. Samborondon is reminiscent of Miami. Beautiful homes, malls, and restaurants with outdoor seating. We had lunch at Noe, which is a chain of sushi restaurants. The meal was exquisite.

The desserts were luscious.

From the malecon, there is a river tour on the Henry Morgan. This fellow chose to kayak.

Mick on the Henry Morgan

Not the Henry Morgan

Everyone has their own preference in boats.

My guys

Some of the scenery

Larry, Karen, Mick, and Nikolas

The mast

The distributor for Garmin is in Urdesa. Karen called the owner, who met us on this holiday weekend to download the maps for Ecuador on Larry's new GPS. Here we have dueling GPS's.

Mick in Playas

It was a holiday weekend and Playas was packed.

A beach puppy

The weather was perfect, but some found it cold.

Beach bums

A cute purse

Guayaquil is just a short trip from Cuenca. It's warm, pleasant, and a big city feel. Most just pass through on their way to some place else. Guayaquil is worth perusing.

Until next time,

Mick and Kathy

Sunday at San Sebastian

Before coming to Cuenca, you have the idea that the place to be on Sunday is Parque Calderon. Upon arriving, that quickly passes. It's nice, but, you deal with lots of people, I suppose who have great expectations of a mini-Central Park. Actually, in our opinion, the loveliest park in the city is San Sebastian.

On Sunday mornings, we usually have breakfast at San Sebas. San Sebas has the area of a neighborhood restaurant. Food and service is good. Here are Mick and Nikolas yesterday.

Lindsay is the proprietor and always adorns a lovely smile.

There's always a case of yummy baked goods.
This is Miguel Moreno.

Chillin'

A beautiful balcony on the park.

San Sebas

A nearby courtyard

The Museum of Modern Art

The dome.

Frequent visitors

The front of Iglesia San Sebastian

The park

Sunday night, we were invited to Rich and Ella's for a fabulous dinner.

Perfect ending to a perfect day. The Panthers won, by the way.

Until next time,

Mick and Kathy

A New Restaurant for Cuenca

Since the sign went up, we've anxiously awaited the opening of Sion Lung. This week it happened!! Sion Lung, located at Solano 1-74 y Tadeo Torres, is the newest addition to a chain of Chinese restaurants. There are two locations in Lima, two in Guayaquil, and now one in Cuenca. We have been to both in Guayaquil, one is in Urdesa and the other in Samborondon and both are excellent.

This location has just been renovated and the setting is exquisite. Service was impeccable; the food was delicious. Parking is on Tadeo Torres.

When deciding what to do for Mick's birthday; he declined the usual party and wanted to go simple. He kept saying we'll go to Sion Lung; it's not open. "It will be open for my birthday." Backup plan was Tiesto's. It just happened to open in time. Larry, Karen, Mick, and I, joined by Nikolas, had a GREAT dinner there.

I'm very happy that the Mickster was able to have dinner at his new favorite restaurant. This is definitely a must do.

Until next time,

Mick and Kathy

Happy Birthday, Mick!

It's another special day in Cuenca. Today, the Mickster celebrates his 3rd birthday after retiring to Cuenca. The birthday wish was for a sun shiney, shorts day; however, that didn't happen, so you just have to settle for a typical cloudy day.

I hope today is perfect and that there are at least 30 more birthdays in your future, along with a lot of sunshine.

To the love of my life, Happy Birthday.

Kathy

An International 4th of July

We were fortunate to celebrate US Independence Day in an international way this year. Our friends Flavio and Nelly, who met in New York, invited us to their home for the 4th of July. They are the owners of El Agave Mexican Restaurant on the road to Giron in the sector of Victoria. Flavio is from that area and Nelly is from Mexico City. We were treated with some Mexican specialties.

They prepared cazuela de Mexico and incredible Mexican tamales. Perhaps it's because we are accustomed to Mexican tamales (Denis's were great!) but we prefer them over those found in Cuenca.

Nitza decorated cups to reflect the US holiday. She and Jason were born in NY.
The cazuela was filled with clams, mussels, shrimp, and crabs. It was so delicious!

Flavio built a fire outback for coffee and dessert. The puppies joined us.

Flavio and Nelly

Bruce, Mick, and Leo

Paul

Paul, Bruce, Nelly, and Mick

Nitza and Jason

Juan

The group

We celebrated in an international way, in that in addition to the US citizens, but, Ecuador, Mexico, and China were represented. It was such a great evening with the great food and company.

Until next time,

Mick and Kathy