The days and nights seem to blend together and the weeks are flying by…

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A pelican in the Galapagos Islands, working on a fish.

With only 51 days until we depart Ecuador to head to Tom’s pulmonology appointment in the suburbs of Chicago, time is flying by so quickly, much to our surprise. I don’t believe that we’ve discussed Tom’s health issue yet. However, it appears he may have pulmonary fibrosis caused by asbestos after 42½ years of working on the railroad.

We will share more about this situation when we know more after January 10, 2024. At this point, all we know is that his appointment is on January 10, 2024, and no matter what, we were heading to Illinois on about January 8. We’ve yet to book the flight, and will do so after I see the cardiologist next week on November 22.

Gosh, we sound like a mess! No matter how hard we’ve tried over the years, we couldn’t avoid our current medical issues and have decided we need to address them in the US, not in a foreign country. My heart issues are a result of heredity and Tom’s…well, from asbestos exposure. We found this out when he had a second x-ray when we were in Minnesota, and he went to Urgent Care for a bad cough.

But we carry on, hoping to get some answers and make decisions based on those answers. This doesn’t necessarily mean an end to our worldwide travels. But, we may decide to make some adjustments that coincide with the necessary imminent and long-term medical care.

Of course, this is at the forefront of our minds, but neither of our situations requires we leave any sooner than planned. Tom is feeling okay right now, with occasional coughing, and I am working on finding a combination of medications that will work for me. I have had to stop two of the drugs the cardiologist in Manta prescribed for me since they made it difficult for me to breathe, a common side effect.

The one drug, a blood thinner, is not causing issues, and another drug I had with me, with an increased dose, seems to be working for part of the day, which, after seeing the doctor next Wednesday, another increase in the dose may do the trick. We shall see.

In the interim, we’re staying positive and doing our best to enjoy the remainder of our time in Ecuador. It’s still cloudy and rainy every day, so we aren’t using the pool as we’d hoped. That would have been an excellent exercise for me. But, for now, I am not doing extensive walking since it seems to exacerbate the Afib. Once the drugs are adjusted to my needs, I should be able to walk longer distances.

A few readers have written asking if we’ll still do the posts if we stop traveling for a while and, as in the past when we had obstacles to bear, we’ll continue to write each day as long as our readers are still interested. This is life. No, it’s not easy, and a certain amount of worry and concern are to be expected now. However, it doesn’t hinder our joy of life, of being together and thinking about the future.

We intend to return to Marloth Park in June, as planned. By then, we’ll have a better handle on managing our healthcare, and with excellent medical care available to us there, we feel comfortable making the trip. Between now and then, we aren’t so certain.

We have many friends our age who continue to travel with medical concerns, some with major medical issues, and we applaud them for their courage. We hope to use them as role models and continue our lifestyle as long as it makes sense. We won’t take any unnecessary risks that could cause harm to either of us and fully support this with one another.

So that’s our news for today, dear readers. We’ll be back with more soon.

Be well

Photo from ten years ago today, November 17, 2013:

My parent’s wedding photo. Please read the post from that date that explains why I posted this photo. Please click here.

Medical care in Ecuador…

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Attractive cactus tree in the Galapagos Islands.

Many travelers often mention that Ecuador has good medicalcare, especially when many expats settle in the country for that reason, along with the lower cost of living than many other countries. Today, we’re sharing information about this topic, coupled with a smidgen of information from our recent experience.

From the US Embassy site on medical care in Ecuador:

“Medical Assistance

Please note: The Department of State assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the entities or individuals whose names appear on the following lists. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by the Department or the U.S. government. The order in which they appear has no significance. The information on the list is provided directly by the local service providers; the Department cannot vouch for such information.

The Embassy cannot provide health care or medical facilities for private U.S. citizens in Ecuador. We can, however, provide a list of names and addresses of doctors and facilities for you to choose from. Should you be injured or become seriously ill while in Ecuador, the Consular Section can assist you by providing a list of medical practitioners and hospitals and informing family and friends, at your request, of your well-being.

Health Insurance Overseas

We strongly recommend acquiring Overseas health insurance before traveling to Ecuador. If you have Medicare, we advise you that Medicare does not cover health coverage outside the U.S. In addition, we also recommend looking for a Health Insurance plan with Medical Evacuation coverage since evacuations may be expensive, from $ 10,000.00 and up.

Prescription Medications

While you travel, we always recommend that you take enough medication, if required to take any, at least for the length of your trip. If you happen to run out of your medication, unfortunately, the U.S. Embassy or Consulate can’t help you by receiving any medication.

Also, please note that special laws and regulations might be in force for sending medication to Ecuador. It does not matter if the package was sent with a courier company, cargo company, or regular mail. Some medications may even need a written import permit issued by the Ecuadorian Ministry of Health or may be restricted by the Ecuadorian National Council of Control Substances. Packages detained by Ecuadorian Customs can’t be released by having someone from the Embassy or Consulate call in. We recommend you research what local options you can get for your prescription medication in case of emergency before traveling.”

International Living Magazine published an article regarding medical care in Ecuador, inspiring many foreigners to visit the country for care and procedures. Here is the article in part from this site:

“One of the great perks for foreign residents living in Ecuador is high-quality, low-cost healthcare. Bloomberg recently rated Ecuador as having the 20th most efficient healthcare system among advanced economies, while the U.S. ranked near the bottom in 46th place.

An internet comparison of healthcare costs worldwide found that Ecuador’s costs are the lowest—lower than those in China, Malaysia, India, Mexico, and Panama. Generally, you can expect to pay 10% to 25% of what you would in the U.S. For major surgery, we’ve seen several cases in which costs were even less than 10% of comparable procedures in the U.S. You will find similar savings for dental care.

Lots of iguanas on the walkway. (Repost).

Although Ecuador is a developing country, you will find first-rate medical care here, particularly in the major cities. Many doctors are educated in the U.S., Europe, Argentina, Chile, and Cuba and continue to train around the world. In many respects, the medical system is reminiscent of that in the U.S. in the 1950s or 1960s. House calls are still possible; most doctors do not have nurses, and the average office visit is 30 to 45 minutes. Another throwback is that Ecuadorian doctors don’t expect to become instant millionaires, and the average income for doctors, according to a Quito medical association, is about $65,000 a year.

A visit to a general practitioner costs $20 to $35, while a visit to a specialist runs anywhere from $40 to $80. For follow-up visits, there is usually no charge at all. A psychiatrist will charge $40 to $50 for a half-hour session. Simple, ambulatory procedures are equally inexpensive. For example, the removal of a small lump (under local anesthesia) and a biopsy cost about $125. Brand name medicines usually cost less than in the U.S. Generics, which are widely available and are much cheaper.

Health Insurance in Ecuador

In 2017, Ecuador passed new laws making some type of health insurance mandatory for all citizens under 65 years of age and all residents under 65 who had their visas registered after February 6, 2017. However, laws were also passed, making it illegal for private insurance companies to exclude clients based on age, sex, or pre-existing conditions.

Health insurance remains a bargain in Ecuador. A review of comparable insurance policies for a 60-year-old man in the U.S. and Ecuador tells the story. In the U.S., the man would pay a monthly premium of $1,200; in Ecuador, he may pay as little as $70. A woman aged 50 to 60 would pay $72 for the same policy in Ecuador, while coverage for a dependent child between two and 17 years of age costs $15.69 monthly.

Turtles at Cerro Colorado Tortoise Reserve in San Cristobal Island in the Galapagos

The policy cited is offered by Salud S.A. (website: https://www.saludsa.com), Latin America’s largest health insurance company, and pays 80% of doctor’s visits, 60% of medication costs, and 100% of hospitalizations. It also offers extra coverage for walk-in procedures and accidents.

Although international health insurance is available from several local companies, costs can be considerably higher than Ecuadorian policies. Remember that international policies must cover high-priced countries like the U.S.

The Social Security Healthcare Option

Ecuador has invested hundreds of millions of dollars to upgrade its national social security healthcare system (Instituto Ecuatoriano de Seguridad Social, or IESS) and, as of January 2014, allowed foreign residents of any age a “buy-in” option. Following a change in 2017, expats now must provide proof of income for the rate of their IESS insurance to be set. That figure will be used if your visa is based on your pension. For other types of visas, you will need to provide documentation to verify your income.

The rates for IESS coverage are based on the income claimed. The primary enrollee (or spouse) will pay a monthly fee equal to 17.6% of their income. A spouse and other family members may be added for an additional 3.41% per month. So, if you have a pensioner’s visa for the minimum amount ($800 + $100 for dependents), your monthly fee as a couple would be $168.08. Remember that you don’t need to disclose all of your income, just what you are claiming to participate.

This is still a bargain, as the public healthcare system covers in-hospital care, outpatient care, extended care, home care, prescription drugs, dental care, and eye care. Again, please note that the healthcare regulations are still under debate and could change anytime. Keep up with International Living for up-to-date information as this develops.

Dental Care in Ecuador

Dental care in Ecuador is also a bargain, costing 80% to 90% less than similar care in the United States. As with physicians, you will find that most dentists are well-trained and have access to the latest technology. Many of them also speak English.

Checking prices for dental care, a cleaning costs $30 to $45. Cavity repairs and fillings cost $25 to $35. Partial plates cost $325, and a complete set of dentures costs about $900, including office visits, fittings, lab work, and impressions.”

For the balance of this article, please click here and scroll down.

Baby turtle enjoying the water at the sanctuary.

As for our personal experience with medical care thus far, although very limited, with only one visit to the cardiologist in Manta (returning for a second visit next Wednesday), the office, his staff, and the doctor were all very professional. The doctor spoke no English, but one of his staff members spoke excellent English and was my translator.

The office was impeccably clean and organized and appeared to have the latest equipment and supplies from what I could determine. Nothing in the office or building was in ill repair, as one may expect. A guard greeted patients at reception, and we were asked to wait in the lobby before heading up the elevator to the office facility. Once in the doctor’s reception area, I was taken in to see the doctor immediately.

There are countless articles on healthcare in Ecuador, and if you are interested, please type “medical care Ecuador” in a Google or other search engine to read further.

As for our current location, we would advise staying closer to a big city for medical care rather than staying at a remote location such as Guayaquil, Cuenca, etc. See this list of population statistics for Ecuador here. (Scroll down the page).

We’ll report back after my next cardiology appointment.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, November 16, 2013:

Flying from country to country in Africa is no simple task. Check out this map illustrating the size of the African continent compared to the US and other countries. For more, please click here.

Fascinating facts about Ecuador…

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Look at all these iguanas sharing space on these lava rocks in the Galapagos Islands!

Sorry,, but yesterday was a hard day for me, and i didn’t upload a post. Here we go for today.

Unfortunately, while I continue to work on an appropriate drug regime for my non-stop Afib, there is no way we could consider sightseeing. Right now, walking is not on my radar when it only worsens matters. As I read through the Ecuadorian facts listed below, I’m disappointed that this is my fate right now. It would have been fun to go on a cruise on the Amazon River to see some of these locations, which was our original plan.

Nonetheless, I felt it was vital to share details about this country while we are here. Still, we aren’t sure where we’ll go from here, although possibilities are on our minds, all based on how I feel in a few months. As mentioned in prior posts, we return to the cardiologist on November 22 to perhaps begin a new series of medications.

In the interim, we’re making the best of our situation, busy throughout the days and relaxing in the evenings when we hunker down to relax and enjoy some mindless entertainment. We’ve figured out how to enjoy good dinners, and Tom, as usual, is a big help in the kitchen.

A blue-footed booby sitting in the rocks with blue feet tucked away.

After research, I stumbled across these interesting facts about Ecuador, and today is the perfect day to share them, especially since we don’t have new photos to post. Here they are from this site:

“Ecuador Facts: 10 Fascinating Things You Didn’t Know

1. Ecuador means “equator” in Spanish.

It may not surprise you that the country is called this because the equator runs through it. The country’s official name is ‘República del Ecuador’ (Republic of the Equator). In fact, Ecuador is the only country in the world named after a geographical feature.

Just outside Quito, there is a famous monument named the Mitad del Mundo (middle of the world) to mark the equatorial line. In fact, the monument is actually about 240 meters from the actual equator, but it’s still a nice visit. There is a museum there and a few market-style shops and restaurants to wander about. It is also possible to climb the monument and take in the views of Ecuador from above. An interactive museum to mark the “real” equator is just down the road. (Although the equator is 5 kilometers wide, both museums are on the equator, and only one is in the center of it.)

2. Yasuni Park is one of the most bio-diverse places on the planet.

This protected Ecuadorian National Park and Biosphere Reserve are located deep in the heart of Ecuador’s Amazon. It is one of the most bio-diverse places on the planet, home to species that are entirely unique to the lands. Ecuador has more tree, amphibian, and bat species in only 100km than anywhere else.

As well as the hundreds of tree species, amphibians, reptiles, and small animals (such as Pocket Monkeys or Jaguarundi-small lions found only in the Americas), there are also much larger animals, like the Green Anaconda (factually, Ecuador has the largest snake in the world) and big cats, such as the jaguar to be found.

There is also a huge amount of crude oil in the park. This remains untapped due to a pledge made in 2007 by the President at the time, Rafael Correa. The pledge promised to protect the park and its resources.

3. The Galapagos Islands inspired the Theory of Evolution.

The Galapagos Islands are famous thanks to Charles Darwin and his Theory of Evolution. The theory is centered around the finches of the islands. Darwin examined the way that the same species of bird had evolved differently on the 21 different islands of the Galapagos. It is a fact of Ecuador that Darwin’s research put them “on the map.”

The islands are a remote area found six hundred miles off the coast of Ecuador. Teaming with rare and unique wildlife, as much as 20% of the creatures are exclusive to the islands. The wealth of this pristine site makes the Galapagos Islands one of the most fascinating places on Earth. Ecuador is a must-visit for all nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.

4. Chocolate has a long history in Ecuador.

Cacao has been grown in South and Central America for centuries. It has long been a staple of Ecuador’s national and cultural heritage, often used for its anti-inflammatory properties and other medical benefits. Research shows that chocolate has been consumed here for nearly 5,000 years. Recent studies have indicated that Ecuador might even be the original source of cacao.

As the demand for high-quality chocolate has increased, so has the in-country production. Today, Ecuador is recognized as the producer of the highest quality cacao in the world. It is also one of the largest exporters, producing as much as 80% of fine cacao beans. Despite this, Ecuadorians eat only 300-800 grams of the stuff on average per year, whereas countries like Germany consume 9 kilos per person yearly.

5. Ecuador is where to find orchid flowers.

Ecuador is known as the orchid capital of the world. It has over 4,000 species of these beautiful plants. With over 25,000 plant species worldwide, the orchid is the most varied of them all. It also boasts some of the greatest levels of diversity within the species ranges. Some of the varieties flower for half a year, and some for mere hours. Some of the flowers can even live up to 100 years old. No wonder they’re the world’s most popular houseplant! You can find these plants in Cuenca!

6. Ecuador has some of the finest colonial architecture in the Americas.

The Architecture of Ecuador has seen a lot of influences over the years, the larger cities especially. In the center of Quito, there is the Old Town. The Old Town is one of Ecuador’s first UNESCO-protected sites (along with the Galapagos). It was built in the 16th century on the ruins of an Incan city. The town and its buildings have survived many earthquakes and have Latin America’s best-preserved Spanish Colonial architecture. The city still has many indigenous elements and European inputs, making it a beautiful place to visit.

7. Bananas are an important food product in Ecuador.

Bananas are an undeniable staple of Ecuadorian diets and cuisine. With around 300 different types of bananas growing in the country, supply meets the demand. Here, there truly is a banana for every occasion.

For the last 60 years, Ecuador has been one of the world’s largest fruit producers, producing 25% of the world’s bananas, missing out on the top production spot to India. However, they remain the biggest exporter of sweet bananas to Europe (the climate in Europe is incompatible with the growth of our yellow friends).

8. Ecuador is a birdwatcher’s paradise.

This is one of the best Ecuador facts for nature lovers. Ecuador has more birds per square kilometer than anywhere else in the world. With 1632 different confirmed species and 48 more hypothetical, there are plenty of feathers to flap. They also hold the world record for the number of hummingbird species, with an incredible 132 (out of 340) different types of birds calling the country home. Hummingbirds can only be found in the Americas. They are also the smallest bird, with the highest metabolism, in the world. In fact, their metabolism is so high that they have to enter a hibernation-like state every night. This is called torpor and done to conserve the birds’ energy.

9. Ecuador’s different regions are truly unique.

Ecuador has four distinct regions: the Mountains, The Coast, The Amazon, and the famous Galapagos Islands.

Each region has its unique culture; everything from clothes to food varies. In Fact, even languages used vary in Ecuador- particularly in rural indigenous communities. Much of this depends on the materials readily available to the people and how communities have developed to utilize them. For example, coastal food is very coconut and fish-based. However, the food from the mountain settlements is much more likely to be cuy (guinea pig) and corn.

The differences have lessened gradually over time. With the increased amount and quality of transport between mountain and coast (car instead of llama, roads instead of dirt paths) it has become much easier for people to share their goods. Language has also become much more standardized as Spanish has become more predominant in the country over regional languages like Kichwa.

10. Ecuador Has the Real Space Mountain (this is one of our favorite Ecuador facts).

One of Ecuador’s most surprising facts is that the country is home to the closest point on Earth to space. Mount Chimborazo is the highest mountain on Earth… sort of. The Earth is not a perfect sphere, bulging around the equator… In fact, Ecuador sits right on the bulge. (This is also why you are more likely to get sunburnt in equatorial countries). At its peak, Ecuador’s highest mountain, Mount Chimborazo, is the furthest point from the Earth’s center. Although from sea level, Mount Everest still takes the cake.”

A giant tortoise from our time in The Galapagos.

With a base 20 kilometers wide and a peak of 6263 meters, this inactive volcano can be seen from a staggering 140 kilometers away in Ecuador’s biggest city, Guayaquil.”

As we go along in the next few months, we’ll include more interesting facts about Ecuador, especially appealing to those who may be considering becoming expats and moving to this country or visiting at some point in the future.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, November 15, 2013:

We’re not as tidy as we used to be, but there is no cupboard space for food. None of these items will be packed to travel with us. For more photos, please click here.

The constant sound of the surf is soothing…The good, the bad, the ugly…

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This is the little store located inside the gated community.

Wherever we are in this house, even at night when the aircon is on in the bedroom, we can hear the sound of the surf. It reminds me of my childhood in California and when I visited my aunt in Massachusetts, who lived across the road from the sea. The mystery and magic of the ocean is calming, and neither of us ever tire of the sounds.

This store reminds us of the little store where we shopped in Belize and Bali years ago.

In many ways, it is fine here. The house itself is comfortable, along with the bed and the furniture. When we stay in, a holiday home must have comfy sofas and chairs, and that’s not a problem here. Writing these comments made me realize that now would be a good time to share “the good, the bad, and the ugly” of what life is like in Mirador San Jose, especially for our readers who haven’t followed along daily.

On a positive note, let’s start with the “good.”

  1. Ocean frontage: Being situated on the ocean is always a huge perk for us, as mentioned above in the comments about the sounds of the surf. When the weather is nice, we can sit outdoors and enjoy the views and the sounds.
  2. The house is quite nice, although there’s some wear and tear from the salt air, which is typical and unavoidable for ocean-frontage properties.
  3. Safety: The gated community provides abundant security for the properties contained therein. The gate is managed 24/7, giving homeowners and visitors a sense of security and well-being.
  4. Restaurant: The only restaurant in the gated community is Kokomo, which is only open on Wednesdays from 5:00 to 8:00 pm.
  5. Little market: Although the little market located inside the gated community is only open on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, it has helped us avoid having to drive to Manta for groceries, which we will do on November 22, when we replace the rental car and go back to the cardiologist. We’ve managed to get by, but the inventory of foods I can eat is minimal.
  6. Raphael’s produce truck: He honks when he drives by on Tuesdays and Fridays with plenty of fresh organic produce from the farm. Prices are reasonable, and the selection is good.
  7. Locals are friendly: When we drive through the neighborhood, people are quick to wave, and on Wednesday nights at  Kokomo, we have felt welcomed.
  8. Washer and dryer: Having both of these appliances right off the living room has made doing laundry easy.
  9. Aircon on the main floor: Although it has rarely been hot enough to use the main floor aircon, we appreciate having this where we hang out most days. The ocean breezes cool the main floor. We use the aircon at night when we go to bed on the second floor.
  10. The owner is kind and responsive: This has always been important, especially when we have maintenance issues. Igor, the owner here, has been excellent, and we appreciate his prompt responses to our inquiries.
  11. Maria, the housekeeper on Tuesdays: Apparently, others in the neighborhood have also had Maria work for them. She does a thorough job at only $20 for three hours, and we couldn’t ask for more. We give her a tip each week.

    Quite a few bottled sauces, sauce mixes, and seasonings are used in Ecuadorian cooking.

Here is the “bad and the ugly:

  1. Distance to shopping: There are no supermarkets within an hour’s (to Manta) drive of this house. There are a few little markets, besides the small one here in Puerto Cayo, which is about a 25-minute drive, but when we checked them out, they had nothing we could use.
  2. Distance to restaurants: It’s also an hour’s drive to Manta to any restaurants where I could eat the food, and going out at night is foolhardy with dangers on the highway. There are numerous beachside dining establishments, but most use tap water in food prep and use grains, sugar, and starches in their dishes. We’ve yet to see a tourist stopping at these roadside stands.
  3. Power outages: We’d had our fill of load shedding in Marloth Park, but then Danie and Louise resolved that issue for us by installing a comprehensive inverter system that made outage unnoticeable to us other than being able to use the oven during load shedding. There is no such thing here, and when the power is out, there’s no WiFi either.
  4. No known socializing on any night other than Wednesdays at Kokomo.

    Tom was eyeballing some sweets but didn’t buy anything.

Since we arrived almost three weeks ago, we have been fine after many issues were resolved with the conscientious help of the owner, Igor. We are making the best of the above situations during our remaining time in Ecuador, less than two months from now.

Paper products, soaps, and cleaning supplies.

This morning, we headed over to the little store and purchased all the meat they had: two packages of ground beef, two packages of pork chops, and two packages of fish, which will get us through the next week, considering we’ll be eating out on Wednesday. At that point, it will only be two days until returning to Manta to try the MegaMaxi supermarket after the cardiologist appointment and the rental car exchange.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, November 13, 2013:

The Cave, a unique restaurant in Kenya, after the power went out and came back on promptly after the generators were started. For more photos, please click here.

Thoughtful update from reader/friend….Thanks, Bob!…What inspires expats to live in Ecuador…

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On the few evenings when it hasn’t been cloudy, Tom has been able to take these sunset photos shown today.

Yesterday, we received the following email from reader/friend Bob, whom I’ve never met but who found our site on Tom’s Facebook page. He attended high school with Tom many moons ago. Bob has been a loyal and consistent reader for several years, and we certainly enjoy hearing from him now and then.

Bob either posts a comment on a particular post or sends us an email with questions or comments, all of which have been very kind and supportive of our world travels and lifestyle. Here is the message Bob sent yesterday, commenting about yesterday’s post found here.

I had written that I had no idea if the vegetables we’d purchased from Raphael’s truck were a good deal or not. With our intent to support local farmers and other local vendors, we weren’t worried about prices when we thought what we were purchasing was within a reasonable range of what we may have paid in the US. Plus, the produce is pesticide-free and organic, based on insects we’ve found on the products.

This shot looks somewhat like a question mark.

If, at any point, we feel a vendor is taking advantage of the fact that we’re foreigners, we’d either negotiate a better price or, in some cases, not purchase if we felt the item(s) were grossly overpriced. Most recently, when we stayed in the US for several months off and on, we didn’t go grocery shopping and had no idea how much prices had increased with recent inflation.

While in Florida for three months, from the end of April until July, we had groceries delivered From Kroger, when there is a possibility prices were slightly higher for delivered groceries. So again, our knowledge of prices wasn’t necessarily accurate.

When Bob wrote yesterday, he so kindly did the research for us, taking our list of items we purchased from Raphael’s truck to his local market, Cub, as described in his message below:

“I read your blog today, and since I eat a lot of fruits and veggies, I went shopping today. I went to Cub Foods.
I did a price shop for you.

Watermelon $5.99
Broccoli. Head $3.99
Whole cabbage $2.25
Med zucchini  $2.79 
Carrots $1.25 lb
Med Avocado $.77 ea (x 3)
Strawberries $3.99 lb on sale
So you got “fresh from the farm” for half what it was at Cub today.
Enjoy,
Bob”
I was thrilled to see this information from Bob. How thoughtful of him to take the time to check these prices and report back to us. Thanks, Bob! You inspired today’s post with this information and gave us peace of mind, knowing we weren’t overpaying, although in this case, for the convenience of Raphael showing up twice a week at our door, we may have been willing to pay more than US listed prices. Apparently, we did not overpay when Bob explained we spent about half of the current US prices.
Another stunning view.
Considering we’re currently buying food from Raphael and the little market in the gated community, we are only spending about half for groceries of what we’d have paid in the US or many other countries. When we return to Manta on November 22 to exchange the rental car and for my second cardiology appointment, we will grocery shop at a big market and have a better idea of prices in Ecuador.
Over the years, we’ve heard many expats have moved to Ecuador due to the low cost of living, including housing, products, and services. Most residents living in Mirador San Jose are French Canadians who chose to retire here, partly due to the lower cost of living here than in Canada.
The rays streaming down from the horizon are enchanting.
We’ve yet to discover the prices of the houses in this beachside neighborhood. Surely, we’ll hear about that and report back here. However, I found this one listing of a home currently on the market for $189,900s, not directly on the ocean as the holiday house we are renting. See here for details.
Also, here is a link for an oceanfront vacant lot for sale in Mirador, San Jose, priced at $34,000.
That’s it for today, folks. We’ll be back with more tomorrow.
Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, November 12, 2013:

These huge pods have continued to dry out on a tree in the garden in Kenya. For more photos, please click here.

And the beat goes on…Hopefully…

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A seal swooning to the sky.

We are doing ok. After over two weeks, we’re settled in and have created a comfortable routine, which provides us with a degree of familiarity and contentment. Sure, in an ideal world, we’d be able to socialize more often than on Wednesday nights, but when was and when is the world perfect? Not recently, from our recollection.

Many might assume that in our nomadic lifestyle, we wouldn’t stay in touch with what’s happening worldwide. Still, I assure you we pay close attention to world affairs, impacting our travels and the lives of those we love in the US and other countries, praying everyone is safe and out of harm’s way.

No doubt, it’s horrifying to hear about the war In Israel, the ongoing war in Ukraine, and wars and strife throughout the world wrought by terror mongers who are heartless and incapable of caring about humanity. What a sorrowful fate for so many.

Basking in the sun.

And yet, it seems easy to sit back and focus on the nuances of our days and nights with issues that may be monumental to us at the time and are infinitesimal in the realm of worldwide affairs. Everything is relative, and a simple annoyance can send us into a tailspin, impacting our entire day.

I sometimes kick myself when caught up in such a simple annoyance when I stop to think about the horrors others are facing worldwide. It would be easy with our lifestyle over the past 11 years of world travel to isolate ourselves from the realities of what is transpiring in the world and stay entrenched in our occasional challenges, but we refuse to put our heads in the sand in a state of oblivion, exempt from the emotions

We all seek comfort in our lives, and it’s easy to wrap ourselves around the routines that provide us with that comfort. We are not exempt from seeking those comforts even amid what is happening in the world. Thus, with that in mind, we are striving to center ourselves here in Ecuador for the next few months.

Beautiful birds frequent the craggy rocks. “This is a Gull. The bifurcated tail gull ( Creagrus furcatus) is completely nocturnal and thus avoids the attacks of the frigates, which fly during the day.

How do we find that level of comfort? By engaging in familiar activities, we incorporate into our lives wherever we may be at any given time. Sure, our surroundings dictate how we spend a portion of each day to entertain and educate ourselves and, of course, take photos to share with all of you.

We’ve had to face that the above opportunities are not available right now, not in this location. There are no social venues other than Wednesday nights for dinner at Kokomo in the gated community. There is nowhere to drive to see scenery we haven’t already seen. The beach is lovely, but the weather is not, nor is it expected to be in the remaining time we’re here. It’s the rainy season now.

It’s too far to drive to the supermarket in Manta once a week and go out for breakfast or lunch, which we always enjoy. Instead, we were finding some meat at the tiny market, allowing us to have enough for dinners, one week at a time. Then, of course, we delight in Raphael suddenly appearing every Tuesday and Friday with his truckload of fresh farm vegetables. His prices are somewhat high, but we like to support local vendors and are willing to pay a little more, knowing doing so helps him and his family.

Iguanas  were checking out the activity at the pier.

We spend a certain amount of time each day communicating with family and friends via Facebook, WhatsApp calls, and texts, all of which work well here in San Jose with a good internet signal when at the house. When we drive to Manta, which we’ve done a few times since we arrived on October 24, we lose our Google Fi signal for most of the drive since it is so remote.

We always say we like remote locations, where we’ve stayed in most countries, but in all cases except here, it’s been convenient to shop, sightsee, and dine out. Good photo ops have been in abundance. Thus, we apologize for the lack of photos in Ecuador, but we certainly had plenty while in the Galapagos only weeks ago. Today, we are including a few more photos from that adventure.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, November 10, 2013:

I would’ve loved to try the pufferfish (click to see NG’s pufferfish video), a deadly poisonous fish if not cleaned properly, but I passed since it was flour-battered and fried. “Chips” in Kenya translates to French fries, not potato chips, which Tom promptly figured out. For more photos, please click here.

Trip to Manta to a highly rated cardiologist…On a new plan…

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Once we arrived in Manta, there was considerable traffic.

I continue to write about my heart problems to be transparent with our lives of world travel and also to share the path we’ve chosen for those who may be experiencing similar issues. None of the information we share is suggestioning “what you should do.” Please see your medical professionals for your specific needs.

So here’s the story as it rolled out over the past few months. The day we arrived in Mirador San Jose, on October 24, the Afib started again. I didn’t experience it at all while we were on the Galapagos cruise or in Quito, even during the difficult days of seasickness on the cruise and during the four days of high altitude in Quito, at 9350 feet above sea level. I was grateful I had no problems at that time.

It’s easy to figure out what road signs are saying.

Once we got here and the Afib wouldn’t stop, I started taking the drug, Flecainide, that I’d been prescribed last April when I was in the hospital for three days, having many tests with no specific answers as to why I had Afib. Many times, I read that Afib doesn’t necessarily appear for any particular reason, making it difficult to treat and tolerate. We all want answers.

I only had enough pills for three months of Flecainide at one per day, which I’d only taken once after getting out of the hospital, which I stopped when I had awful side effects. I had one bad episode on the airplane from South Africa to Florida and never had another bout until I had a few events on the cruise to Norway. Those bouts resolved on their own after a few hours. Then, after the cruises, I never had a bout while we were in Nevada for nine nights, but then I had a few events in Minnesota during the month we were there.

A man walking with his horse or donkey carrying a load of supplies.

After reading that exercise can help Afib, I gradually increased my daily walking steps. After one week, I was in a constant state of Afb. The one Fleacainide a day wasn’t enough. I knew I needed to up the dose to two pills a day, 12 hours apart, per the suggestion of the cardiologists in South Africa. When I took the second dose 12 hours later, without any improvement, yesterday morning, I knew I needed to see a cardiologist.

Immediately, I got to work searching online for a five-star rated cardiologist and found in Manta Dr. Alfredo Zambrano. I called their office, but they spoke no English. When they saw my call coming in, to which I hung up when I couldn’t communicate with them, they immediately sent me a WhatsApp message, translated into English. My appointment was for 3:00 pm yesterday, only hours after our initial contact.

With a high poverty rate in Ecuador. The national poverty rate in Ecuador is estimated at 25% of the population, while the extreme poverty rate stands at 10.7%, with the highest incidence in rural areas. Many homes and buildings are distressed.

Of course, I was still in Afib when we arrived for the appointment. I had written down all my questions in Spanish using Google Translate and handed the doctor my phone to read the questions. One of his assistants spoke excellent English and translated for us.

He did a lengthy ultrasound and an ECG. My appointment lasted one hour. The bill was $100, which included the tests. A few years ago, I had a similar appointment to get checked out in the US, and the 15-minute appointment was US $480. Hmmm…

An old boat in a side yard.

Well, anyway, the doctor showed me on the ultrasound screen that I have a problem with my mitral valve, referred to as a regurgitating mitral valve, which medication can help at this point. It’s what is causing the Afib. He prescribed three new drugs and had me stop taking my current blood pressure and Afiib drugs. I started the new drugs yesterday on our way back to San Jose.

These drugs all have side effects, some more than others. By the time I went to bed at about 10:30 pm, I had taken all three drugs, spaced out for specific times as prescribed, and never taken all at once. One by one, as I took the drugs, within about 45 minutes, I began to feel the side effects. After taking a second dose, it’s taken until this morning for the Afib symptoms to stop.

A typical shop on the side of the road.

Yes, I feel drained and exhausted, but the doctor said I can start walking again once I’m feeling better. It may take weeks to adjust to the meds, but I am not giving up. This is my life, and I will do whatever it takes to get through this. Down the road, I may need surgery, but he said not right now. Thank goodness.

After the pharmacy, we began the one-hour drive back, heading directly to the restaurant for dinner at Kokomo in the gated community. We hadn’t prepared anything for dinner. It was busy, and we had an opportunity to chat with some locals. I wasn’t myself, but I did my best to smile and be cheerful. We didn’t stay long. I was anxious to get back to the house to put on my pajamas and relax for the rest of the night while I waited for the drugs to work. So far, so good. We did the right thing going to the cardiologist, who, by the way, had a very professional office and staff.

Today’s a new day. I feel relieved and hopeful. Sure, I am feeling the side effects, but I will work through them in the coming weeks; I am looking forward to being able to stop thinking and writing about this troublesome condition. Thanks for listening, dear readers.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, November 9, 2013:

This goat in our yard in Kenya was definitely not camera-shy, practically stepping on my foot as she approached. For more photos, please click here.

This is my reality…Hopefully dining out tonight at Kokomo….

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A pelican on the hunt for food. Notice the fish he’s already caught.

Note: Sorry, there aren’t any new photos today. Here are a few from Galapagos, only weeks ago.

The weeks are starting to fly by. We make the best of it while enjoying good meals with available food items. Going out to dinner every Wednesday night at Kokomo has certainly added to our enjoyment. And with the suggestions from some of our readers, particularly Marylin, we are streaming some good shows. More suggestions are welcome for newer shows. We watched all the older shows in lockdown in India in a hotel for ten months.

We listen to many podcasts on various topics and services during the day, which helps as background noise. Even while preparing a post, I can pay attention to the majority of a podcast. It’s great entertainment. No, there aren’t any easy-to-access drive-by sites to visit from here, although we looked at every possible tourist venue within a two-hour drive.

Locals have told us not to drive the highway at night in the dark. Like many other countries, crimes are committed on the highways at night. We decided long ago not to go in the dark on the N4 from the airport in Nelspruit, South Africa, to Marloth Park. We were warned about this by many residents in Marloth Park, and now, the same warning is here in Ecuador.

A stork in Galapagos.

So here is my reality, which I write with considerable angst and frustration. I had to stop the walking schedule for now. It was causing me to be in Afib constantly and only stopped at night two hours after I took the single 100 mg. dose of Flecainide but started up again 12 hours later, shortly after I awoke.

Today, I am not walking any more steps than I must. In desperation, I took a second dose of the drug a few minutes ago, which worked for me about ten days ago for several days, but I knew I’d run out if I took two a day until I could get more. We visited three pharmacies, and none of them carried this antiarrhythmic drug. After considerable online research, it appears this drug isn’t available in Ecuador.

My only option is to see a cardiologist in Manta to help figure out what I need. With this much Afib, I may also require a blood thinner to prevent strokes. I don’t like taking so much medication, especially those with awful side effects. But, right now, I feel I have no choice at this location. This constant Afib has to stop.

Today, we have an appointment with a highly-reviewed cardiologist in Manta at 3:00 pm. We’ll leave here at 1:15 pm to ensure we arrive on time. They don’t speak English but communicate with me via WhatsApp, using its translator. I tried calling their phone number, but when no English was spoken, they immediately sent me a WhatsApp request, inquiring how they could help and how soon we needed an appointment.

A fur seal in the Galapagos.

Based on my racing heart, when they suggested 3:00 pm today, I was all over it. We don’t like going so late in the day, but we’re not being picky about the time at this point.

As mentioned above, I will not do the walking schedule today. I will ask the doctor if the walking schedule is OK during my appointment and go from there. I will report back tomorrow as to what transpires today.

We need groceries but won’t have time to shop after the appointment. We must figure something out from here until we return the car to Manta two weeks from today.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, November 8, 2013:

After days of rain last night, this ugly thing came for a visit only inches from Tom’s bare feet. We’d always heard that insects with red coloration indicated it is poisonous. This millipede is toxic to insects that it consumes, only leaving an itchy streak on a human if it walks over bare skin. No thanks. Tom picked it up with the dustpan and brush, tossing it well into the yard. For more photos, please click here.

Sad news from Marloth Park…The impact of power outages…

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Red hibiscus are commonly found in this area.

Louise wrote to me yesterday to share the sad news of the loss of Nyala Nina, Norman’s partner, and Noah and Natalie’s mother, had her baby a few weeks ago. Sadly, the little one, a female, had an injured leg within a few days of her birth. Dr. Peet darted her, but the injury was so intense she had to be euthanized. This news saddened everyone in Marloth Park, as we are now. The gestation period for a nyala is 220 days. It will be a long time until she has another offspring.

On another note: The power was out for two hours. Maria, our weekly cleaner, is here, and the bedding is stuck in the washer, unable to complete the cycle due to the outage. There is no way it will be done before she leaves around 11. Making the bed is a challenge since the bed is so low and close to the floor. There are other sheets, but today, we decided to wash the mattress cover since it smelled dusty and moldy. So we must wait to remake the bed when the bedding is done.

Bougainvillea in the front garden of the holiday home.

Being located on the ocean, all fabrics have that musty smell. In a way, it makes us rethink choosing holiday homes situated on the ocean. The humidity is palpable. Everything feels wet, even our clean clothes, when we put them on. The question is…will we wash and dry everything before we go or wait and see where we go next and do it there?

In the next 30 days, we will know where we are going from here. Flying out of here is tricky. Manta, the closest city, doesn’t have many options. We don’t want to fly back to Quito, and the next biggest airport is Guayaquil, a three-hour drive from here. Plus, we have to figure out where we’ll be able to drop off the final rental car.

Pink bougainvillea n the front garden.

Time will tell. At this point, we continue to research our options, but now, with the power outages, the time to do so is limited. I still spend several hours posting each day, and with limited cooking supplies, it seems to take longer to prepare meals.

Also, now that I have increased my daily indoor “stepping/walking,” every 15 minutes, that takes up a considerable amount of time each day. I have found it easier to walk every 15 minutes rather than attempt to get it done in one or two fell swoops. My legs aren’t ready for that yet. It may take several weeks before I can walk a longer distance over an extended period.

This is where we have to drop off the garbage. Recycling is not done here.

We are looking forward to going out for dinner tomorrow night. I translated the menu and found one more item I can eat: chicken kabobs. I don’t know how they are made or the sauces used, but I will figure something out. Otherwise, there were no other options besides the plain, dry hamburger patties I had last week.

The lot next door is for sale. We have no idea as to the asking price.

It’s still morning here, and the day is young. We have plenty to do to keep us busy, making the days fly by in a blur. Two months from now, we will be on our way to the yet-to-be-determined location.

Two birds on the beach.

Of course, we will report back as soon as we know more. Oddly, we aren’t worried about this, knowing full well that we will figure something out that works for us. Since the pandemic, we don’t plan as far ahead as we used to years ago. With the ongoing possibility of lock-downs in some locations, we aren’t willing to risk losing more money.

Maria managed to get the bedding on the bed before she left and, once again, did a fantastic job. We certainly appreciate having a weekly cleaner, making our days easier, and spending less time washing floors and dusting.

Today will be a quiet day. With the power back on, hopefully, for the remainder of the day, we can continue with research while every 15 minutes, I start walking again.

Be well.

Photos from ten years ago today, November 7, 2013:

In Diani Beach, Kenya…hand washing our underwear and placing it in the kitchen window seems to dry it more quickly than hanging it anywhere else inside. I no longer use the clothesline. The last time I walked out back to hang a few items in the tall grass, I was stung on my thigh, resulting in a very painful huge welt that eventually turned into a huge black bruise, lasting for weeks. For more photos, please click here.

Monday, Monday…Oh, oh…load shedding…

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The sun sets a few minutes after 6:00 pm. It doesn’t change daily, only based on the cloud cover since we are located at the Equator.

We’re fortunate that the back of this oceanfront property is facing the west. On clear evenings, we can watch the sunset while we lounge at the table and chairs by the pool. We’ve never lost interest in sunsets all these years, especially when we’ve spent time in properties overlooking the ocean.

It’s been cloudy most days. We’ve yet to have a fully sunny day. It may start that way, but in a few hours, the clouds roll in, and with it comes drizzles and often rain. Neither of us cares to use the pool or sit outdoors on cloudy days. However, I am looking forward to being able to do some walking in the pool if the weather changes.

See below:

“The inter-Andean valleys have a temperate climate and rainy season from October to May and a dry season from June to September; average monthly temperatures are about 14.5C (58.1F) in the rainy season and 15C (59F) in the dry season.”

Since we arrived two weeks ago, the temperature has been mainly in the 21C (70F) range to a high of 27C (80F) with very high humidity  (often 88%) and dew point (75), basically uncomfortable weather. The pool is not heated, and the water is cold, making it less comfortable than we’d prefer.

With all the walking I am doing, I am okay with waiting until it warms up a bit, which it may not be while we’re still here. If not, I am fine as long as I’m getting exercise by walking.

It started to disappear into the horizon in less than a minute.

So here we are with ‘load shedding” in Ecuador. Apparently, due to the lack of rain in the mountains, the reservoirs are low, and the country’s electric company has instituted power outages. They don’t call it load shedding here. Here’s an article about this from this site:

“Power supply disruptions are occurring across Ecuador as of Oct. 30 due to production shortfall. Business disruptions are likely.”

Power supply disruptions are occurring throughout Ecuador as of Oct. 30 due to lower hydroelectric power generation in the midst of ongoing drought conditions in the Amazon region. Authorities have stated that rolling blackouts of up to 4 hours are likely throughout the country until early December. A recent deal to import electricity from Colombia may alleviate the severity of power outages, but energy shortages are likely to persist.

Commercial disruptions are likely for businesses dependent on public electricity. Transport disruptions due to malfunctioning traffic signals are possible during periods of power failure. Temporary commercial and communications outages, including cellular service disruptions, may also occur during blackouts. The outages are unlikely to affect government buildings and businesses relying on private generators. Essential services like ATMs and petrol stations may temporarily cease operations during load-shedding periods.

There is an increased security risk as a result of power outages. Blackouts could adversely affect security protocols, including alarm systems and electronic fences; opportunistic criminal activity could increase during electricity outages.”

Here we go again. We experienced the outages last week but didn’t write about it, assuming it might be a temporary fault causing the disruption. After speaking with residents at Kokomo at dinner last Wednesday, they were all aware of it when they’d been notified by email.

I haven’t found a definitive schedule for this area online, but Carol, whom we met last Wednesday, offered to send me the schedule when she receives it soon. That way, we can plan our day.

That’s it for today, folks.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, November 6, 2013:

Sunday’s sunset in Kenya from owner’s Jeri and Hans’ third-floor veranda. For more photos, please click here.