NEW!! October 25, 2019
(Happy Birthday, Mom!)
|
|
Welcome to Villa Dos Colinas!!
Puerto Cayo, Ecuador
|
|
|
|
Please meet the newest member of our family! "Coco".... sometimes known as Coco Loco... she is a 2 month old mix, and is cute as a button - but she is definitely a "puppy"!
Thinking that Woody was lonely and needed a companion, we had put the word out we were looking for another dog. A friend of Wilter's happened to have this puppy, and she came to work with Wilter on October 16th. Woody is still not sure he wants her here, but things are becoming less tense everyday. He now "tolerates" her, but lets her know if she gets too close! So we are trying to let the two of them work things out.
Meanwhile, check out our progress on our rental casita (water and electricity are now functional) in the latest photos and the slideshow below:
|
|
|
|
Martes, 10/15/2019:
Isacio completes the tilework in the outdoor shower. The tiles run from the showerhead down to the floor, and really sets off the faucets.
|
|
|
|
Miercoles, 10/16/2019:
So today when Wilter arrived to work, out of his backpack came this little fluff-ball...it was instant love... but, we both forgot how much work it is to train a puppy! This should be interesting.
|
|
Miercoles, 10/16/2019:
Isacio and Wilter work on finishing off the front porch of the casita. A colored powder is added to a thin layer of fresh cement to give the floor color.
|
|
|
|
Jueves, 10/17/2019:
Cesar, our electrician, returned today to start running the power line to the casita - and also to the front gate so that we can add a light at the entrance.
|
|
Viernes, 10/18/2019:
Cesar (with Doug's supervision) runs the line to the gate to install a light below the roof to light the entranceway.
|
|
|
|
Viernes, 10/18/2019:
The light should illuminate the "Villa Dos Colinas" sign below it.
|
|
Lunes, 10/21/2019:
Coco seems to be settling in - and has started exploring... she has decided that she likes to lay in the "carne de perro" plants, and her white hair makes quite the contrast with the bright green plant!
|
|
|
|
Martes, 10/22/2019:
The casita interior is being wired. Here, Cesar works in the breaker box in the "closet" or storage area.
|
|
Jueves, 10/24/2019:
With Wilter's help with the wiring, they are wrapping up the electrical work today. Light fixtures are just about completed being installed.
|
|
|
|
Jueves, 10/24/2019:
Doug couldn't wait for it to get dark so he could check out how it looks with lighting down the hill! Many fixtures here are LED, like this one on the porch, which really produce a lot of light!
|
|
|
|
To our friends in the U.S., please don't worry about reports of riots, etc. in Ecuador.... we are fine, no protests or problems here in our little part of the coast! The problems have been mainly in Quito and/or Guayaquil, although we are still without bus service here in Puerto Cayo, and no one seems to know why.
This all stems from the government withdrawing the subsidies on gas and diesel prices (in effect for decades), and it truly is a hardship on most Ecuadorians. We are just hoping for a positive and quick solution to this situation.
Meanwhile, check out our progress on our rental casita in the latest photos and the slideshow below:
|
|
|
|
Lunes, 9/30/2019:
Even the beans in Ecuador are colorful! Doug planted the seeds (beans) from a pod we got from our gardener, and the crop has come in! With the great climate, and our good soil, things grow like crazy here.
|
|
|
|
Martes, 10/01/2019:
Isacio, the cousin of Wilter (who has been working for us for some time now), has started the plumbing work for the casita. Here he is installing the water line to the casita.
|
|
Martes, 10/01/2019:
Sunset in Puerto Cayo... and the lights on the Malecon shine brightly. It really is beautiful in the evening from atop our hill...
|
|
|
|
Jueves, 10/03/2019:
Running the water line for the shower in the casita.
|
|
Viernes, 10/04/2019:
With the plumbing done as far as possible until we get the ceramic floor laid, Isacio begins the tilework with the beautiful ceramic Wilter and Gina picked up in Jipijapa on Tuesday.
|
|
|
|
Viernes, 10/04/2019:
Water lines run to both the toilet and sink in the bathroom.
|
|
Sabado, 10/05/2019:
Work on the ceramica continues.... these "almond" color tiles are perfect, as the light color makes the whole casita lighter and brighter!
|
|
|
|
Sabado, 10/05/2019:
Paulo leaves after working on clearing the back hill. The second hill is mostly cleared at this point - but hopefully can be maintained so that the trees can flourish.
|
|
Martes, 10/08/2019:
Paulo worked again today on the back hill, and Woody and Doug check it out.
|
|
|
|
Martes, 10/08/2019:
Looking toward the ocean and our house and palapa from the back hill.
|
|
Martes, 10/08/2019:
Another view from the back hill... love these huge cactus!
|
|
|
|
Miercoles, 10/09/2019:
Isacio has laid the tile in the shower. It's a beautiful beige toned stone pattern with a great non-slip finish.
|
|
Jueves, 10/10/2019:
Showerhead installed in the casita shower.
|
|
|
|
Jueves, 10/10/2019:
Ceramic floor is basically finished... looks great!
|
|
Viernes, 10/11/2019:
No, it's not some sort of sculpture... it's Doug's elaborate irrigation system for gray water from the casita!
|
|
|
|
Viernes, 10/11/2019:
Kitchen sink is plumbed and faucet installed...
|
|
Viernes, 10/11/2019:
Toilet and sink have been installed, with a backsplash of ceramic tile behind the sink. All now functional!
|
|
|
|
|
The end of September in Ecuador marks the end of verano (summer) in the southern hemisphere - and the coming invierno (winter). That said, it is getting slightly warmer every day - and we again can leave the doors on the ocean open at night for a very comfortable temperature!
Everyone here is talking about the "clima loca", or crazy weather we've been having! More light rain than normal - but the plants have been loving it... these papayas close to our porch are covered with blooms, and the beginnings of fruit. We have already picked several large papayas from our grove of fruit trees in the ravine!
We are still working on finishing up the new casita, and love the way it is turning out. We have actually been constructing "something" for over a year now, and could use a small break! But to be honest, we are loving every minute of life in this beautiful little village!
Check out our progress in the latest photos and the slideshow below:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jueves, 9/5/2019:
The navy is here!! Woke up this morning to two new boats in our little cove... the Ecuadorian Navy. They spent about two days here - no one seems to know "why" - but good to know they're nearby!
|
|
|
|
Jueves, 9/5/2019:
Our friend Jose ("El Espanol") gave us two 6-meter huge bamboo for the poles we needed to run the electricity down to the new casita. Doug has been busy painting them before installation.
|
|
Jueves, 9/5/2019:
This will give you a better idea of just how large these bamboo are!
|
|
|
|
Domingo, 9/8/2019:
Quick! Run, get the camera! You never know who will decide to visit... today this gorgeous seabird landed near our fence, and seemed very curious about everything that is here!
|
|
Martes, 9/10/2019:
Today we will set the bamboo poles for the electric line. Yes, they are heavy! Paulo and Wilter move them down the hill.
|
|
|
|
Martes, 9/10/2019:
And, a little tree trimming on the way! Doug is totally in his element with 5 acres worth of trees to trim and plants to prune!
|
|
Martes, 9/10/2019:
Wilter and Paulo setting the first pole, near where the next guest room will be built.
|
|
|
|
Martes, 9/10/2019:
Doug has "pole holding" duty while the guys get the cement.... and Woody wakes up to see what is going on!
|
|
Martes, 9/10/2019:
Large rocks go into the hole first, and then will be filled with concrete.
|
|
|
|
Martes, 9/10/2019:
Woody supervises as the guys bring more rocks and concrete.
|
|
Martes, 9/10/2019:
Our bamboo is not very big... but it is growing really well, near where the guest room will be.
|
|
|
|
Miercoles, 9/11/2019:
Pole #2 being installed directly behind the casita.
|
|
Miercoles, 9/11/2019:
The bamboo pole is now in place behind the casita... the line will be run from this pole to the breaker box on the back wall of the casita.
|
|
|
|
Viernes, 9/13/2019:
Wilter has been busy setting the large rocks with concrete to form barriers for the rainfall that will come during the rainy season. With a hill like ours, it is most important to direct the water so as to not erode all the soil.
|
|
Viernes, 9/13/2019:
In Ecuador, even the propane gas tanks get their own little casas! The gas line will be run to the casita kitchen from here.
|
|
|
|
Viernes, 9/13/2019:
The rental casita front view...
|
|
Viernes, 9/13/2019:
Front porch of the casita, looking down at the pathway to the platform which will become a bbq cabana.
|
|
|
|
Viernes, 9/13/2019:
Woody tries out the new pathway from the porch on the oceanside of the casita!
|
|
Viernes, 9/13/2019:
Lots of landscaping yet to do!.... but eventually, we hope it will be a beautiful front entrance to our little casita.
|
|
|
|
Viernes, 9/13/2019:
A beautiful sunny day in Cayo! Looking north from beside the palapa... the "carne de perro" plants are filling in very nicely along the front of the property.
|
|
Viernes, 9/13/2019:
The plants are also filling in very nicely in front of our house! Eventually, the bougainvillea will cover the barbed wire fence in front.
|
|
|
|
Lunes, 9/16/2019:
To keep Woody from digging in his plants, Doug thinks a tire filled with sand might give him a place to dig his hole to lay in!
|
|
Lunes, 9/16/2019:
Gina and Woody check out the progress on the casita and landscaping.
|
|
|
|
Lunes, 9/16/2019:
Back up the hill, Woody checks out the tire "sandbox" Wilter has made for him! Seems OK...
|
|
Sabado, 9/21/2019:
Paulo has transplanted some carne de perro in the planting area in front of the casita. This should spread quickly to cover the entire slope! Also a small areca palm near the steps.
|
|
|
|
Sabado, 9/21/2019:
Back view of casita. You can also see the brick structure for the gas tank that Wilter built.
|
|
Sabado, 9/21/2019:
Planting area in front of casita.
|
|
|
|
Sabado, 9/21/2019:
Looking toward the front gate, new casita and the ocean from the back hill.
|
|
Miercoles, 9/25/2019:
The little house for the gas tank... the brick has been covered with thin layer of cement and painted. Rocks in front to protect from water runoff during rains.
|
|
|
|
Miercoles, 9/25/2019:
Painting inside walls of casita is underway. A cream color at the top of wall next to the ceiling, with a rose petal color below.
|
|
Miercoles, 9/25/2019:
Wilter rides!! A friend loaned Wilter his motorcycle, so for several days he can ride instead of walk to work!
|
|
|
|
Viernes, 9/27/2019:
A few miles off our coast lies the "Isla de la Plata"... when overcast, it is many times hard to see the island. Today, there was a thin layer of light at the horizon making the island clearly visible. Really cool!
|
|
Domingo, 9/29/2019:
A pretty Sunday in Ecuador... so Woody and Gina take a walk to check out all the progress. Woody finds a good spot to rest on the porch, in line with the ocean breeze. So, he just "chills" while I take photos.
|
|
|
|
Domingo, 9/29/2019:
Inside the bathroom of the casita, the walls are now painted a pretty green color. Much of the bathroom walls are brick, but the 3 walls of the shower are painted green.
|
|
Domingo, 9/29/2019:
In the bedroom area of the casita, walls are painted "arena" (sand) at the bottom, "rosa" in the middle, and "crema" at the top.
|
|
|
|
Domingo, 9/29/2019:
Such a "tranquilo" dog! He makes himself comfy wherever he is...
|
|
Domingo, 9/29/2019:
Front porch is ready to relax and enjoy... Doug couldn't wait to buy a couple of chairs for the casita!
|
|
|
|
Domingo, 9/29/2019:
Looking down into the ravine, if you look closely you can see a huge bunch of green bananas on the tree at the right. On the left, is a big stand of sugar cane!
|
|
Domingo, 9/29/2019:
Heading up the drive, the view of the back side of the house and palapa come into sight.
|
|
|
|
Domingo, 9/29/2019:
Our little cabaña on the upper drive, which has become a "holding area" for building materials, etc.
|
|
Domingo, 9/29/2019:
Another view from the top...
|
|
|
|
Domingo, 9/29/2019:
Front porch of our house. The "cardboard" forms the wall for Woody's little "house", to protect him from the misty rain blowing onto the porch during the night. It could use a better "aesthetic", but for right now it's functional!
|
|
Domingo, 9/29/2019:
This is the reason we're here.... the best view on the Ecuadorian coast!
|
|
|
|
Domingo, 9/29/2019:
Looking down the hill toward the new casita... and Puerto Cayo beyond!
|
|
|
|
|
|
