Ecuador

Entering the Southern Hemisphere was like being welcomed into Heaven after a couple weeks in purgatory. The wind picked up and a succession of 9 big-eye tuna hit as we drifted across the imaginary line of the Ecuador. We entered Salinas, Ecuador on March 4th. Salinas is a ritzy beach town considered a weekend escape for the wealthy sect of Ecuador´s largest city, Quayaquil. After obtaining much needed provisions we hit the town. Salinas harbors the most divine ceviche along with oceanfront clubs which blast music all night long. We document this on a nightly basis as the water provides a clean passage directly to our anchorage. The culture is pure ¨South American.¨ The people are friendly, family oriented, and emotional. We lost our little brother Tyler shortly after our arrival. He flew back to the States realizing he could not bear to be separated from his girlfriend Natasha in San Francisco. Bret and I traveled to a nearby surfers paradise called Montañita for a couple of days. We befriended four local girls whom we exchanged dancing and spanish tips for surfing lessons.

Back in Salinas, we are fortunate to anchor next to a classic 1928 70ft schooner, Niña. The mother and son, Rosemary and David have proivided good company and sailing advise for 2 twins still picking up the ropes of cruising. Aboard the Broken Compass, the repairs and provisions for the pacific puddle jump are moving smoothly. We are stuck on our diesel engine repair, but are confident we will crack the challenge before our departure. Makai is teething and it is a full time job keeping her from chewing all the teak on the boat. We are now in the Quayaquil airport on our way to Peru to follow an ancient Incan trail.