Googie's Travelogues

Having got a lift from my hotel owners at Sua, I made it to neighbouring Atacames early. But rooms were still in short supply, and all I could manage was a tiny place for $10.

Head of a huge fish that was washed up on the shore in Sua

After keeping my bag in the room, I went for a stroll on the beach and found an absolutely superb place to sit and read. Soon a guy turned up there and I tried to make conversation. He didn’t speak any English, so we had to resort to my almost non-existent Spanish. He was a dentist called Ignacio and said that this was his regular relaxing spot whenever he had some free time. When we moved to more complicated topics like arranged marriages in India, we had to take the help of my dictionary and an American girl who spoke Spanish perfectly.

My personal secluded reading place by the sea

Later Ignacio took me to his office and to an internet centre. We walked all over town before heading to his regular lunch place. After lunch, we went back to the beach and walked on it for almost 2 hours to the next beach of Tonsupa. On the way, we passed many sea-side homes destroyed by a tsunami a few years ago.

Ignacio’s workplace

Walking to Tonsupa

Sunset at Atacames

What a view this house would have!!

Tsunami damage

We chilled at Tonsupa for a bit before catching a tri-cyclo back. After a quick shower, we headed out to check out the active nightlife of Atacames. I wouldn’t be exaggerating if I said that it reminded me of Bangkok a little. I was very tired from the long walk, so I came back early and slept. Ignacio returned piss-drunk sometime in the middle of the night and was out in a flash.

Ignacio & I with our saviour – the dictionary

In the morning, I bade farewell to Ignacio and started my journey back to Quito.