Being an ExPat - What it is Like to Live in Ecuador: La Ruta del Sol - Route of the Sun

The Route of the Sun

I am a little bit sorry we have not written for a while. Only a little. We have our first ever guest staying with us for a time.
Our friend Rob also rented a car so we have been exploring quite a bit. There are things you miss when riding the bus as we do regularly. You can not just stop and take a picture when riding a bus. You can only look out the side window. You can not stop and eat tacos at a roadside restaurant high in the Andes. Not without paying for the next bus which can get expensive. The upside is we have taken a lot and I mean A LOT of pictures.

We have not had time to write but we have collected plenty to write about. We are still collecting.

We have been exploring Ecuador's southern coast. Jipijapa, Manta, San Lorenzo, San Mateo, Puerto Cayo, Puerto Lopez, Olon, Montanita (yes, again), and Manglaralto. No we have not made it to Salinas yet. We met some new friends last night that say we MUST go. We will.

To explore this magnificent coastal region there is only one route. Sur (south) or Norte (north) highway 15 on La Ruta Del Sol. A two lane road that follows the coast through major cities and many, many small and medium sized fishing villages. There are mountains, scenic beach views for the tops of those mountains, bamboo forests, and huge cacti all along the way. The view is always fantastic and there are so many stretches of wonderful secluded and unspoiled beaches it is amazing.

Polaca Canister

Stop at them. If you are hungry and there always is a nice roadside restaurant, tienda, or food stand. You will find some really nice surprises as our friend did. The treat our friend found in Montanita is Polaca.

Polaca is made by a small family company called Avena Poland. They moved from Columbia around 2001 and started a Polish dairy. Polaca is now found all along the coast and it is delicious. Made from whole milk, sugar, vanilla, and oats, it is a creamy breakfast treat.

Drink it stand alone or put it in your smoothies, coffee, and cereal, I am positive a White Russian or Pina Coloda would be totally amazing with this as an ingredient.

We have not found it in a grocery store. It is bought off a truck out of a milk canister and sold by the cup or bottle. It will now be a staple in our house.

So, not much writing but a nice new treat and a lot of pictures. Enjoy all of them posted below. Chao!

Questions? E-mail us!