Last night I hosted the Wine Club, a last minute change as the lady originally hosting was ill. But I did not mind, as now my entertaining is space is so much better, I imagine I will be doing it even more than usual. We tasted Chilean wines last night, the basic choice here (without paying a fortune) is wines from Chile or Argentina, so I am hoping to be quite the expert by the time I go.
This is what happens after a few glasses of wine, we start dancing, Ecuadorian style.
Someone with a way better camera took some way better photos, I definitely have camera envy...
Thank you Desiree, great shots!
I held the grand opening of The Stork Inn at my place yesterday, an invite only event with special guest of honour Jodi Sprung-Boyd. I had a special pub quiz for this special event, a talented bar tender /waiter, 10 wonderful ladies and Cody.
The welcoming sign
All ready for the big event
My handsome bar man/waiter
Pub dog
Quiz time, theme baby related things
The quizmaster in action
Me and the guest of honour
The crew
Jodi opening her first baby book, made by me, a book of her pregnancy and all the exciting things her baby has already done. Wish I had taken a picture of it, was very proud of it, it took a lot of time but totally worth it for such a special lady. It was a great day, for an even greater gal.
I promised not to go on about love about my flat, so just showing some pictures now that I feel more settled...
(Ok have to kinda say again I love it)
I promise this is the last time I bang on about our flat and how much I love it (well half promise). Your home really does make a difference, not that I was unhappy before but now even happier. I handed over the old flat yesterday and signed for this one. Of course, some bubbles was in order..
Another beautiful day
The bubbles
Not a bad view at night time either. I cannot wait to throw our first big party, and dinner parties and pub quizzes, so excited!
I so so love our new flat! I also love that while I was away Luis managed to get some friends and move all my stuff as a surprise. So yesterday I just worked on bringing over the little bits and organising the place. I just love it, it is much bigger than the last (so loads of rooms for loads of visitors), the views are amazing and I adore the layout. Although everything is moved and organised, I am saving pictures for when the paintings are up and plants in.
These are the flowers that greeted me upon the surprise move.
I am going to work hard all week getting it perfect (well near to perfect). Lola is also very happy, loads of rooms for her to chill and spots for her to tan in. It is safe to say we are all pretty excited!
Well we survived our jungle days, and we only had to open Greg's emergency survival kit once (and it was only to get ponchos as me and Vicki were getting wet)!
All geared up
Waterfall, which I swam under, on the ledge, very scary
The team
Their last night I put my guests to work, instructing them to make the yummiest curry ever. They are now on their way back to Barbados, I had a wonderful time with them. I learnt many things along the way, mostly how to survive in the jungle but definitely most importantly how to stream TV online.
So after numerous years with no Valentine, I have left mine for the weekend! Of course, this has made me a very sad and also meant Greg had to step up to the plate and spoil me and Vicki. This may seem unlikely to all that know him well, but for starters look at the surprise he organised for us on the beds..
Quite amazing really.
We then went off to see some culture at a Carnival celebration, where I was a bit slack in pictures, not good enough really as it was quite something. We are now resting up and cannot wait to see what romantic dinner he has planned for the evening ;)
In the last month I have been to four very different regions of Ecuador, the Cloud Forrest, deep in the Andes, the coast and now arrived in the jungle. Our lodge is fantastic, on the River Napo and the surroundings are beautiful green and lush.
No time to write more, being rushed onto our canoe for our first adventure.
Yesterday we took Vicki and Greg (otherwise known as Hottie) to the market of Otavalo. The craftsmanship that goes into their items is fairly amazing. The weaving and colours of the scarves, table runners, mats, etc is just stunning. I am very excited to have finally purchased a hammock and cannot wait for all the lazy afternoons I intend to spend on it.
We then spent an evening comparing rums, dancing, basically painting the city red!
After a long hot drive we arrived back into Quito, quickly dropped off our stuff, cleaned up and went to pick up Vicki, Hottie and Hottie's business partner, Spencer. I have been so excited to welcome my first Bajan guests to Ecuador and hope to send them back raving about the place.
We then took them on a drive around the old city, and up to see the Virgin (or what you could see in the fog). Today we are off on adventures outside of Quito and tomorrow heading to the rain Forrest.
What a great five day mini holiday, Canoa is my third beach trip in Ecuador and definitely my favourite spot so far. The cost is ridiculous, 180 US for the trip, staying in a four person apartment just off the beach, crazy yummy seafood at about 5 dollars a plate, and cocktails for the price some cities charge for coca cola. The food, fairly amazing, delicious seafood and loads of it. But what makes it my favourite is the string of bars along the beach where you can find people of all ages out dancing to all types of music, just loved it. But the person (well dog) that by far enjoyed it the most was Lola, she learned to jump waves, body surf, and loved just lying in the sun..
Good bye for now Canoa, we must be in our way to welcome some very special visitors.
Let's be honest, one cloudy day on holiday is quite enough. Thank goodness after a night of dancing on the beach we have woken up to paradise.
Lola has been highly entertaining this trip, I think all the dogs here think she is slightly stuck up, she will not even lie directly in the sand. She has also learnt how to jump over waves which is fairly hilarious.
