Last weekend ended up being a three day weekend, as the President decided to move a national holiday (Guayaquil’s Independence Day) from the 9th (Thursday) to the 10th (Friday). Regardless of the source of this three-day weekend, it allowed me and few others from my exchange program to ditch the mountains for something a little sandier and saltier, namely Mompiche in the province of Esmeraldas (pronounced mohm-PEE-chay, which is why the title might be funny).
Despite everyone in Quito and their dog leaving the city this weekend, Mompiche was not overly crowded. However, the sun was not a strong presence. But at least the water was pretty warm! We arrived at Mompiche shortly after a spring tide, which the water covered the beach came over the wall in that previous picture a few times and soaked a few unsuspecting beach-goers.
There were a few birds at Mompiche, none of which I was terribly successful at photographing due to leaving my nice camera in Quito for safekeeping (which was a good idea, because the humid, salty air managed to kill my “waterproof” camera). Anyway, here are some birds (all of which I will get better photos of in the Galapagos)!
There were also a few cool things washed up on the beach.
However, the coolest part of Mompiche was definitely its tide pools, which were in a rocky part of the beach near the boobies.
Another attraction at Mompiche is the Playa Negra (black beach), which we visited at sunset, when the tide was covering the sand… However, the sunset was nice, even if we did nearly walk back to the town in the dark.
Starting tomorrow, my oceanic adventures continue in the Galapagos Islands. Expect another post in the next 1-3 weeks!