Expat Community > Ecuador

booby
Joined 2010
Posts: 1336

I have to tell the good and bad and very ugly in Salinas

14 years ago

This is quite the story. First some background. I am from the US and was on a trip to Ecuador to see if this the right place to retire.

After a few wonderful days with my friend that I have known since childhood . He has settled in Cuenca. The area he liives is mild in climate and I could spend the next day writing of it's charms. You can read the travel logs and believe all the good they write about.

In my decision , because my wife longs for the shore area, to explore, we decided to visit the Salinas area. Now there is the good and bad.

Having been on the road a long time in my career, I thought it wise to secure a hotel or a place to stay on our visit. I wrote to several places and shared our goal and budget. One of the places I wrote was the Ocean Hideaway in the Salinas area. I e mailed and got a note back that we could be accomadated. When we arrived the next day we called the proprietor, Susan, and this mad women spent the next 12 minutes telling me I would never find her place and that it would be too tranquil . She even guided us to Will's Place, which if you are in Salinas and need a latin "Cheers" and meeting place, he is a wonderful proprietor. This is the American expats perfect place for a super berger or ice cold beer and the Sunday football games. But we did not stay there but a lovely little boutique hotel in the family section of Salinas. This woman must be nuts to ward off the evil customer. Susan told me we would be bored just watching the water. Whatever her problem, I would stay away because I never encountered anything this crazy in a long time. I just hope she is only dangerous to herself. She had been on this site and begged for business. Don't do it folks.

Now for the good part, Island Estates International . Expats will recognize this company as Hector and Kimberly (Kim) Quintana. [email protected] OR 1-312-881-7363 . They are in the business of helping folks find their hopes and wants and dreams. We spent three days on a journey that would exceed any tour you can buy with knowledge of all the areas. I made no committment to buy but only get a feel for the country.
They showed areas good and bad . Tried to get in my head and find out what would make me and wife happy and tried to pinpoint these areas and properties. I can't say enough about the fun and humor and patience these wonderful people showed me. There was hardly any question that was not in thier grasp. ( Hector's sense of direction is like mine). If you are thinking Latin America, don't be a fool. Get honesty and integrity. I could go on and on about these wonderful people and will if you write.

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