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Sacred Travelers & Samai Visitors
 
2007
Overnight in Montanita….
I had read in my guide book that Montanita, about one-third up the coast, was a
surfer town filled with hotels and restaurants and would be a good stopping
point for the night. Montanita wasn’t more than an half-dozen small streets
with tourist stands, cheap hotels, surf shops and restaurants but it had a fun,
"bohemian" feel to it. So, I drove through town to assess its appeal
and the possibility of finding decent accomodations for the night. I decided it
would work just fine but decided to head up the road a few more miles to find
this eco-lodge on the hills overlooking the Pacific.
"The Centro Samai,"
eco-lodge/resort/spa was beautiful and had stunning views of the Pacific. It
also had individual cabins dotting the rainforest and its manager was nice
enough to show me several cabins. Each cabin had terrific views and the price
was good but there was no one else there, and for lunch and dinner, I’d have
to drive into Montanita anyways so I decided to head back there.
Charo’s Hostal in Montanita….I usually spend some time evaluating hotels,
B&B or hostels to stay at because the older I get the more finicky I am
becoming in terms of what I want in a room. However, in this case, I was tired,
hungry and just wanted to find a room and have lunch. Charo’s Hostal, just off
the "main square" in grubby but quaint Montanita, fit the bill. For
$10, I got a quiet room facing the ocean—so close to the ocean that when the
tide came in so of the water spit on my window of my room—and the basic
necessities: bathroom with hot water in the shower, a comfortable bed and clean
sheets. It fit the bill for the night. Charo and her husband David were very
nice hosts and they ran a restaurant within the hostal so I ate "al
fresco" in front of the hostal with a view of the dirt street, tourist
hawkers and the handful of gringos making their way through town. Charo made an
excellent fish ceviche, rivaling the most famous ceviches of Peru. Her
hamburgers were quite good too and for $3, including a beer, it was a great
deal......
......Montanita is known as a "surfer’s town" due a long-breaking
wave that hits the coast at just the right height and length (in fact it is the
longest right-breaking wave in Ecuador) very close to town. Besides the various
residents, others on bicycles selling eggs, milk and produce to the hotels and
restaurants, you find many surfer going back and forward on the main street head
to or from the beach, surfboards in tow. There isn’t much of a beach here,
however, it’s more pebbles and rocks from the road jutting down to the ocean.
The 1997-1998 El Nino wiped out most of the beach here. However, the town
survives and it remains a tourist-surfer haven, even hosting a surfing
competition and bikini contest each April. Unless you are a surfer, it isn’t
worth spending more than a night or two here but just wanting the townsfolk
going about their daily activities and watching the tourists come and go, makes
for relaxing stay.
I did end up back at the coffee shop for dinner as I really liked the atmosphere
and people there. Being a coastal town, seafood is the main choice on Montanita.
I had the dinner special, some kind of white fish drenched in a creamy, spice
sauce with avocados, potatoes and vegetables. While I like seafood well enough,
I don’t crave it or eat it that often. However, this fish dish was one of the
best I’ve ever had. I almost ordered a second plate of it. And, at $6.50 for
the entire meal, I could have!
Racing Towards the Equator….
More adventures soon. Thanks for reading!
Pura Vida!
Andrew
andrew4cr@gmail.com
http://www.AngelValleyFarmBandB.com
The summer 100
Phew! We've ransacked the brochures, scoured the web and
interrogated the industry to uncover the planet's best holidays. Mark Hodson did
the hard labour, all you need to do is take your pick
Tropical beaches
#38 A candidate for hottest beach hang-out of 2007 is Montañita in Ecuador.
Majestic surf, funky bars and live music on the sand attract a hip young crowd,
and there is whale-watching, diving, mountain-biking and climbing in the Changon
Colanche mountains. Stay at the hilltop Samai,
which is bordered by forest and has rustic cabins built among mandarin trees. A
week, room-only, costs £1,199 with Black Tomato (020 7610 9008, www.blacktomato.co.uk)
http://travel.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/travel/article1289647.ece
June 6 - 17 2004 Journey
to ECUADOR
OCTOBER 2007
Siggy Wesser, A.J. Arizona
Every journey I have ever taken around this world is
different, and for me, this journey to Samai Ecuador was incredible, I know that
I am very fortunate to have participated in the Ecuadorian trip surrounded by my
incredible group of friends, meet and enjoy the hospitality of the two most
wonderful people, Ed and Tania Tuttle of Samai. I came to Samai Ecuador with the
will and hope to experience the Rainforest, the wonderful Ecuadorian people and
places, (that reminded me so much of my Home country were I was born), the
healing ceremonies, and to see the most majestic Sea creatures off all; the
Humpback Wheals. Everything I had ever hoped and wished for in this trip came
thru. This amazing journey filled my Heart with wonder, awe and peace. I have
been so blessed by this experience that I know I will be going back.
Marianne Josem, Washington, DC
"It is an extraordinary experience and opportunity to travel to the
rainforest and Andes of Ecuador with Tania and Ed to visit the shamans in their
own homes and communities. All three families of shamans are greatly revered and
respected by both the indigenous and non-indigenous Ecuadorians. They all have
deep and strong ties to Tania and Ed. Ed was the first gringo to study with 2 of
the shamans and probably has as much if not more experience and knowledge of
ayuhuasca than any other American. Many years ago, Tania, who is Ecuadorian and
acts as our interpreter, was taken under the eldest shaman's wing and many of
his gifts have been transferred to her making her a wise and skillful healer and
shaman herself. (she has also studied with the other shamans and incorporates
all of their teachings into her own practice, as well as feng shui, meditation
and tarot.) Tania and Ed create a trip atmosphere that is both safe and fun and
you come away with having an adventure of a lifetime. This is a trip not to
miss!"
Carol Madsen, Somerville, MA
President
Alliance for Cultural & Economic Exchange, Inc.
June, 2004
Dear Friends, Supporters,
Colleagues:
We are back from Ecuador and so eager to tell our stories and the stories of the
communities we visited and are supporting. What transpired on our journey was
transformational for each of us and for those we meet. Come and hear about the
children in the rainforest and our commitment to the Rio Blanco community.
Donations we made to the artisans, jewelry we bought and marketing of the
ecotourism community we will sponsor. Hear about the Women Composters of San
Miguel del Comun in northern Quito and our effort to jump start a languishing,
but important project business for Ecuador, a large exporter of flowers which
does not now use organic pesticides and fertilizers whichl San Miguel will
produce. Learn about the Women of Catalugua, a community where many of the men
are unemployed and the women are attempting to support their families with a
variety of micro enterprises. Learn about our adventures in the rainforest, in
the highlands and on the coast.
On of the Wildest Dream Team, Kathy shares her experience:
Recalling what the Shaman told me about the love and support I have always
had around me, I never realized or appreciated how fortunate I am. Maybe because
it has always been there and like so many people, when you get caught up in life
demands, you don't often see the obvious. I think the experience with the Shaman
helped me stop and think about it and open my eyes to it. This is an amazing
gift.
During the summer we are hosting a series of potluck suppers at which we will
share our stories. The first will be in Jamaica Plain at the home of Liz Scully,
one of our adventurous travelers.
Liz will host us on Sunday, July 11, 2004 at 5-8 in Jamaica Plain. Please RSVP
to Liz at erscully@comcast.net. Liz is also coordinating our potluck feast. Let
her know what you will be bringing.
Carol Madsen
President
Alliance for Cultural & Economic Exchange, Inc.
www.AlliancExchange.org
Generous Partnerships in a World that Works for Everyone.
Creating Prosperity wherever we go. Starting in Ecuador,
the Center, the Heart of the World.
"This trip was
so amazing. I feel like a new woman. I am stronger that I have ever been.
I'm confident, happy and not afraid that my body can't handle what I want
to do. It's very liberating to beat pain!"
Carla Saragoreli, Vancouver Canada.
October 1998 Journey
"My Ayahuasca experience was
transformational. The Jungle was beautiful, specially the butterflies.
Papallacta was beautiful, restful, and joyful. Tania and Ed Tuttle did a
great job leading the group. I felt totally safe with them. Good food,
easy transportation."
CM., MD.
Minneapolis, MN, November 1998
CM came back with us last November 1999
Journey.
"I feel that I am one of the
fortunate ones to have participated in the Shamanic Ecuadorian trip with
Tania and Ed Tuttle. In fact I like the first trip so much in 1997, that I
had to do it again in 1998. The experience has changed my life and I am
forever grateful for it. I would recommend this trip to anyone who is
looking to have a personal and insightful experience."
Lucille Stofles, Saint Paul, MN
(Lucy came back again in Nov 1999 Journey)
"…Every journey is different, and for
me, this journey was incredible. The beauty of the land. The deep blue
sky. The forest. The wonderful, loving people who so graciously took us
into their homes. The healing ceremonies. The safety I always felt. I was
filled with wonder and awe. I have been truly blessed by this experience
and it continues to open and reveal itself to me every day. To all of you
who decide to make this adventure your own, may you also be touched in a
very deep way. For to journey on a quest back in time helps us discover
hidden wonders about ourselves, It is truly an adventure and a gift that
touches the very core of who we are.
Barbara Boulka, Dayton, MN
July 1999 Journey. She came back with Sacred
Journeys on January 2000, as a facilitator with Tania Tuttle.(This is a
fragment of her article on The Edge, Dec. 1999, Minneapolis, MN)
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eco-tourism
