Sea Kayak - Santa Cruz 2/27

This is the Playa Alemana (German Beach) at dawn. Later in the day our kayaking excursion ended here

Connie enjoting the sun on our little patio at the Angermeyer Waterfront Inn

William's restaurant in town where we ate a scrumptios local style dinner. That's some of William's family who all help with the operation

Up for another scrumptious breakfast. “Havin’ banana pancakes, wakin’ up slow” (to quote Jack Johnson). The kayak people collected us at the hotel pier and took us over to the main pier area in town (2 minutes away) where our kayaks awaited. Everyone got in and we were off to the races. Facing a pretty stiff chop just in the harbor it was decided (en route) that we would not attempt to go around the second point out in the bay. So, we rounded the first point and were in the really choppy water! Actually it was really fun to bob up and over the waves! We then headed into a straight with water at real low levels. We had to walk the kayaks to a point where the water was deep enough to get back in. We were now in a secluded bay where the paddling was much easier. We saw manta rays and sea turtles and more birds. Next was “The Love Canal” a very clam area with cliffs on both sides. Retracing our route back up that canal we landed on a beach where we went for a short hike. Nice views of the town from up high. The guides had a spread of fruits and snacks waiting for us. There was an opportunity for snorkeling but the water was pretty murky. Those that went out a little further said it was fine. Connie and I gave up pretty early and just sat and waited. Finally, back to the German Beach (Playa Alemana) where most of us landed uneventfully. Poor Luis (our host from Ecuador) took a tumble and lost his shoes, water and snorkel mask and hat. Rich had just found said snorkel mask and it was returned to the sea within a half hour. Must have been meant to stay there – karma. Luis’ wife Chio was on the support boat which ran out of gas or got some water in the carb (not quite sure which) and was “lost” for quite a while. Eventually she returned and we laughed about the experience. Not such a good time for Luis and Chio.
Everyone got pretty smoked from the sun – somewhere on their bodies. We rested in the afternoon and took water taxi to town for a local dinner. Teppy from our hotel suggested a vendor and one of his employees escorted the group of gringos right to the place. The name of the place was William’s and we sat at tables in the street. Actually, it was down a secluded street which had no automobile traffic. We had some delightful encocado – coconut stew with either fish, shrimp or lobster. William’s whole family was helping at the restaurant. They brought us out bowls of beans and some sort of fried banana fritters to try as well. We liked the samples so we got some more. Beers, wine sodas and water were available and consumed. Luis said that this was Ecuadorian soul food – typical of the region called Esmeralda where there is a high concentration of African descendents. Walked around to get a feel for the town and found a laundry that will do some washing for us tomorrow. $1 per kilo (2.5 lbs) laundered and ironed (if needed). The hotel was charging $1.50 per item. We will drop it off in the morning and pick it up after the siesta.