Tour of Bethel

So I guess it's been a while. I've had several comments about not having written anything so here it is. I'll have a few new posts over next few days so hope you enjoy.

We recently took a trip to the coast and here is a short blog about the first part of our journey.

Entrance to Branch

My sister is down visiting us for three weeks so we had to head to the coast to Guayaquil to pick her up, this made for a perfect little trip. We decided to see Bethel and check out the coast at the same time. On Monday we left Cuenca by bus to Guayaquil which is a 4 hour trip. The bus ride was nice we got see the Cajas again one of our favorite sites. We arrived in Guayaquil around 3 pm, and the Bed and Breakfast we stayed in, which is owned by the Mina family picked us up at the Bus station. They have a cute little place on the side of their home with 2 rooms and a bathroom and shower in each room. Cost was $10 each and $5 for the transport service which they provide with their own bus. They have a nice mall about 10 minute walk from their home which was perfect for dinner and snacks.

Dinning Room

At 1 am they drove me to the airport to pick-up my sister who basically finished customs as we arrived. Perfect timing. After a short sleep they had breakfast ready for us in the morning of eggs, toast, coffee, fruit and juice a good start to a long day. They kindly called us a taxi which showed up just in time for us to get to our tour at Bethel.

The Ecuador Branch is truly beautiful. Mango trees all over the property, well kept buildings and a convention hall on site. Our guide was from the states and had been in Ecuador for nearly 20 years I think she said. The tour took about an hour and a half and was really worth it. Especially for the boys to be able to say that they saw a branch in South America. They are now asking to see New York this summer. Will have to make it a point to visit. Although I think the highlight of the tour was seeing the lizards on site. Keefe keeps trying to find a small one he can bring home with him.

Literature Desk

After our tour we headed back to the bus station to catch our next ride further north west to the coast where we would spend the next 4 days. Although, to do it again, I would have just waited outside the branch and caught a bus to Santa Elena.

Stay tuned for our beach side vacation blog.

Half Way Point Pro's and Con's

So here we are, half way through our trip here. We've had the highs and lows the funs and I want to go home. So here is some of the good, bad and ugly.

Biggest Disappointments: Let's start by saying my biggest 3 disappointments are coffee, beer and cheese.
     Coffee: This is beautiful country with amazing coffee BUT for some reason restaurants insist of serving nothing but instant. When 4 hours out of the city some of the best coffee I've ever had is grown. And if you don't ask for the right thing you will get a cup of hot milk to put your instant coffee in.
     Beer: Again. I was coming here looking forward to trying all types of new and exciting beers. Upon my arrival I find out there are 3 types of beer, Pilsner, Club, and Club Rojo. On one trip I was able to order some beer from Peru which was a nice change. But seriously, this country needs more beers.
     Cheese: What they have you don't want to eat. I can't say it any better. Plus if I want something half decent and by decent I mean something equivalent to a Kraft cheddar then I need to go to the supermarket. Can't get it at any of the local stores. I shouldn't have to walk to 6 stores to find a half decent block of cheese. 

Pro's: So here are so of the pro's from this beautiful country.
   People: The people are kind and always ready to help. They will even go the extra mile to help you out. Many will try and speak English when possible. To try and help you understand them.
    Country: Its beautifully here. Surrounded by mountains all the time, but with a 2 to 3 hour bus trip you are in a completely different climate. Be it the beach on one side or the jungle on the other. This beautiful country comes with a con. Unfortunately as with most things we hum as don't appreciate what we have so there is litter everywhere. Unfortunately many don't care about their surrounding and just throw trash where and when they feel like it.
    Travel: You can travel the country side for next to nothing. Take a bus from one end of the country to the other for $10. Where else can you find this.
    Amneties: Unlike what you may have read there isn't much you can't get here. There are bigbox stores in every major city. If you need it, its available here. So moving here is not moving to the jungle where you have nothing.  Fact we have friends that moved here from Nicaragua for the fact that at least here they were able to have the required items they could never get in Nicaragua.
    Cost of Living: Cost of living here is nice. Its not as cheap as we had expected but that being said people who blog about the cost of living here do not have kids with them. What you may not realize coming here is almost all costs are per person. So as example you don't pay for a room for the night at a hotel/hostel its how many people for the night. So many of our costs are times 4 rather than times 2.
     Health care: Dental work is great. Yes you need to find the right doctor but it can't be beat when consider $25 for a cavity and $30 to have a tooth pulled its a good opportunity to have long needed work done. And if you need to see a doctor for other problems at $30-40 a visit it won't break the bank.
      Weather: I can live with 25 degrees everyday for the rest of my life. With the odd afternoon showers.

Con's: I hope I have less of these than pro's.
   Travel: I miss my car, what more can I say. As cheap as travel is here, it feels that many times you are taking your life in your hands. Taxi drivers driving 60 miles an hour on a side road, bus drivers who pass into on coming traffic, or for some reason feel that they must drive 40 miles an hour between stops and lights. Then there are the long haul buses who don't want to give you access to their washrooms until they feel you should have access.
    Food: I'm tired of chicken and rice. Again for a country with so much variety they don't know how to do anything outside of the box. Chicken and rice 3 times a day. And when you have something else here its quite bland. And what's with not being able to make a real hamburger.
    Internet: Wow this has been a tough one. Unreliable, slow, and did I mention slow. It turns out the company here offers a 6gig service but can only guarantee 4 gig and when you actually test it, its more like 1.5gigs. Sad to say if you need internet to work here, have a back up. Very been fortunate enough to have a back USB rocket stick for emergency situations but it really makes it tough when you need it.
    People: Unfortunately the people can be a con as well. As nice as Ecuadorians are, there are 2 areas that require major improvement. When they drive they feel like they have every right of way. Pedestrians don't matter, street signs don't matter, rules of the road and common courteousy doesn't exist. And this uncourteousness carries into other aspects of their life. I stores and restaurants if there is no official line then just hope in where you want is fine.
    Hot Water: Who knew it could be so difficult to get hot water in a home or a hotel room.

Well this is a few items I love and hate about here. I understand that pod casts are the thing of the year for 2013 so I say watch for the next few blogs to convert to pod casts with interviews from friends and people we have met here.

Health Care in Ecuador

One concern many have is what is it like if I get sick or need something medical in Ecuador. Well have no fear, here are a few examples of health care here. And Heidi probably already wrote about some of it so sorry if I'm repeating.

First let me say, if you need dental work come here for it. I finally made a visit to a dentist that had been recommended to us. When I called to make the appointment I thought I was going to struggle explaining what I needed, funny thing was the dentist answered in English. On my first visit I had a cleaning and 1 cavity filled. I have had both those procedures done back home but will say this was my best experience. I have found that some dentist back home can be quite rough but this guy was great and there was no need for freezing and no bleeding either. Cost was 50$. I had to go get an X-ray for the dentist cost was 20$ and I was given the results. I had a follow up appointment to remove a tooth that I broke about 8 years ago(hence the X-Ray). This tooth was broken below the gum line and badly abscessed. It took him 20 mins to remove it and I was fine by that afternoon. Again the cost was 30$. Last tooth I had pulled cost me over 150$. Lastly I need 4 wisdom teeth removed next week. Back home the cost to me even with insurance is 1500$ here my cost will be 120$ maybe 150 as one tooth is impacted.

What about doctors. Well if you've ever had a blood test how long did it take to get the results? One maybe two weeks. Heidi went for blood test and had the full results in her hand in 5 hrs. Everything she needed and wanted to know and they gave her the results not the doctor. Next she went to a cardiologist and he gave her the results instantly. Cost for both visits 80$. No three hour wait in the waiting room. No we'll call in two weeks, everything instant. Health care here is not something to be concerned about. Pricing is good. Doctors are good and many speak or understand English as they are expected to learn it in University.

BTW it is our half way point here. So in one of my next blogs I will write about the pro's and con's and see who those change between now and when we leave.

The Middle of the World

Inside Convention

What a weekend! Dad got all the blame this time. And I guess he deserved it. First we took the day bus from Cuenca to Quito. Not the funnest. We left at 7 AM from Cuenca on Cuenca Taxi bus line and arrived in Quito at 5PM. The bus was actually not bad. The washrooms were automatic doors, ring the bell and the driver lets you in. That being said if you try and self close the door like Aidan did then you may get squished as it is a pneumatic door. Seat space is a little less than Imbambura Flota but otherwise I think it's just as good of a line.

Upon arrival in Quito we needed a Hotel/Hostel. First tried a hotel called Ricks hotel in the Mariscal area which I had stayed at the previous week. Unfortunately it was full. It was raining. And I had no back up hotel. Heidi had a hostel app on her phone and so in the rain off we went looking for a hostel. Unfortunately most were full. Finally we stumbled upon a cute little bed and breakfast called the Maple B&B in the Mariscal area. We got a good clean room with a single bed, a bunk bed and a double bed for 40$ a night. Shared washrooms and a descent breakfast.

Middle of the world

Sunday we woke up to go to our special assembly day. Again a bit of a disaster. Up at 5:45 to be at the bus for 7. Bus ride was about 1 hr from there. Beautiful building I must say but with only 173 pubs in the circuit if you are active you are busy. Every brother pulled double and triple duty. So sitting with the family for the day doesn't happen. It was nice though to have 284 in attendance and 1 baptized. We got back home again in the pouring rain around 6 PM to go for supper. Taxi over drove our hotel and we had to walk back 2 blocks. Then after walking to where we wanted to have supper we found out it was closed.

See the line

Monday was somewhat better. I say somewhat. I started off with 60$ in my pocket and no debit card or Credit card PIN number. After walking for about 25 mins and trying to find a way to get cash Banco Pacifica did a credit card cash advance for me at the teller. Thank goodness. We wanted to go to Mindo so headed to the bus station Ophilia. Upon arrival we found out that the next bus to Mindo was at 4PM and that a taxi there would cost 50$. Scrap that idea. We had 12 hrs to kill and what to do. We went to the middle of the world.

The taxi driver offered to drive us there for 8$ and we did. We arrived and had a good time FINALLY. There were several parks for the kids and quite a few gifts shops that were to our surprise very reasonably priced. In fact I think we made one shop keepers day when we bought 30 some key chains (so don't be surprised when we bring you back a keychain). Lunch there was good as well and by 2 PM we were done. We hoped on a bus just outside the center which brought us to a larger bus station and from there hoped a double bus to the center town.

What time is it?

It started to rain again. So with help of a local lady we made our way to a mall instead, were we spent the next few hours. I felt bad for this lady though she got soaked as did we but she didn't need to. She just kindly wanted to get us to where we were going and then refused a coffee or anything from us. Our final stop before leaving was the kids treat McDonalds. They have been begging for McDonalds for 3 months.

We had the taxi take us to the bus station, which turned out to be the wrong bus station of course. Fortunately there was a direct bus from that station to the south terminal which was where we needed to go. The ride home was no joy either. We rode Imbambura Flota home and the drivers assistant was a jerk. We had to ask him 3 times to open the washroom door and it wasn't until Heidi stood beside him and waited for him to come that he finally did. It's the biggest down side here on buses is having to wait for them to feel like they want to do something before they do. And although most of our bus experiences have been good that one or two can make things bad.

The real middle of the world according to GPS

I guess with all the bad we finally made a good and got one more thing done that we wanted to see.

Phone Service is Ecuador

Keeping in contact with friends, family or business aquiantances can be a little challenging in South America so here are a few tips I have tried and used that may be of value to you.

Magic Jack - This seems to be one of the most popular options. There are 2 different models available. One plugs into your computer and as long as your computer is on you can receive phone calls to an American or Canadian phone number. The other model plugs straight into your router and your phone. With this option be sure to use the cable that comes with the magic jack and not just any network cable. It will not work if you use a standard network cable. A good internet connection is required.

VOIP Apps - Again there are many of these available. Some are free and other cost you money. The problem with some apps is if they are not design right the sound will not carry and you will have spotty phone conversations. Also to consider is how good your internet will be with these apps.

Toll Free Forwarding - Do you have an American or Canadian number you want to keep. Try this option. Cost varies but basically at 39$ a month you get an 800 number. You forward your home North American number to the 800 number, next you forward the 800 number to your local South American number. The nice thing with this option is that no internet is required and since incoming calls are free in ecuador on prepaid service then you only pay for the 800 number.

Skype - Skype has many options for phone service. In some cases you can even have a Skype number.

Rogers Canada - If Canadian I have gone through ups and downs here BUT finally Rogers seems to have fixed everything. They have a app for the tablet that gives full access to your rogers cell number. Rogers one number seem to work well to keep your old number plus with this option you have access to text messages.

Text Message Options - This can be a big deal to many, so here are a few options.

What's App - Available for Android, iPhone, and Blackberry. Simply install and have your contacts install then whenever and wherever they want to contact you they can. No international charges. Only require wifi or 3G service.

Skype - If your contacts have Skype then you can text back and forth.

To Vilcabamba We Go

Park Jipiro

Time for another tour of a new area so off to Vilcabamba we went. We decided to take the Sunday afternoon bus from Cuenca to Loja. The bus left at 4:30 and cost $7.50 ea. Kids were half price. We arrived in Loja and grabbed a Hostel for the night. We chose The Metropolitano. What can I say it had 2 beds, a shower and Wifi. Not the best place we've stayed in and not the worst. The Hostel was in the downtown area so we woke in the morning grabbed some breakfast and spent a half a day or so in Loja.

Castle in Park

Loja is basically a small Cuenca. Old buildings, clean streets and nice people. We did however find a park for the kids. The park was Park Jipiro. It was a free park and had buildings in the shape of world monuments. There was a large castle, the Taj Ma Hal, and an Eiffel Tower to name a few. From the park we  made our way to the bus station. Buses from Loja to Vilcabamba run every 15 mins and the cost is $1.25 ea.

The trip took 45 mins and we were in Vilcabamba in time for lunch. Once you arrive in the center of town you have seen the town. It's really quite small and everything is within a few blocks. As much as I don't remember the name of the restaurant we had lunch in I will say the food was good and even though the nachos were made with Doritos they were quite good.

Courtyard of Hostel Escondido

Our first 2 nights were spent in the Hostel Jardin Escondido. It was nice. Private washrooms, TV room if you wanted, Wifi through out, and a nice little pool. Breakfast was included and it was a good breakfast. Dinner on the other hand was not what we had hoped for. The food was over priced and it was a poor attempt at Mexican food. All and all it was a good spot and I would return. Cost was $40 for 4 people a night.

We then moved hotels for our last night. We stayed at Izhcayluma. This hotel was very nice top notch spot. It is a 5 minute taxi ride out of town but for $1 I will not complain well worth it. Breakfast in the morning is included with lots of variety. Through out the day you have access to the restuarant and everything is added to your bill at the end. Also available was a pool, games room with billard, ping pong and darts, as well as a massage therapist. There are several options for rooms from a private room to rooms with shared washrooms and a dorm room.

View from Hotel Izhcayluma

Our trek through town brought us down an interesting path. In Vilcabamba there is a Ecopark. We took the walk which was about 20 mins out of town. We arrived at Rumi Wilco. There, there is several trails you can walk but even more interesting is the have cabins you can rent. For $30 a night you can stay in a beautiful private cabin on stilts with a outdoor shower. We wished we had seen it sooner. Well that will be for next time.

Horseback Riding

River in Ecopark

Things to do Vilcabamba - As mentioned it is a small town but for 4 days we kept busy. We had an opportunity to ride on horses, a first for 3 of us. It was nice 2 hr ride and for a first timer the horses were great. Even the two boys were fine on their horse. And for those who want you can take 2 or 3 day hikes. There are a few different restaurants to try and it is a great place to just see nature at it's greatest. Definately a place to return to.

Things to do in Cuenca

So you're living in Cuenca or visiting and looking for things to do on a rainy day. Head on over to the Mall Del Rio. All the fun you want in one place.

Bowling - On the second level of the mall is a game center bowling alley. There are 5 lanes and the cost is 2.50 per game plus 0.70 for the shoes. The lanes are quite new and up to date with gutter bars for kids and computerized score keeping. The lanes are also kept in good shape.

Super Trampoline - It's fun for all. Anyone can go. Kids especially love it but for the big kid in you give it a try. Basically you are strapped to Bungee cords and the attendant helps you jump from the first level up to the second level and at the top you can do a front or back flip. Don't miss this exciting fun.

Go-Karts - The track is small the carts are slow, but if you want 4$ fun then it's a good way to go. Race around the track for 5 mins and no one says much if you crash into each other or the tires.

Movie Theater - We haven't tried this option yet but there is a Multi Scene in the mall as well. Plays only Spanish movies but if you are trying to learn its not a bad thing to go to.


Mall del Rio is easy to get to. Just hope the 7 or 13 bus and you are there is no time. The nice thing with both those bus lines is that the mall is the end of the line so ride the bus till everyone gets off and you are there. And if hungry there is a large food court with KFC, Pizza Hut (coming soon), Subway and several ice cream shops (big surprise).