Chelsey had just one request about this trip: that we end it with a more traditional vacation vibe; on a nice beach, in a nice condo, with a nice pool. Based on what I read, Salinas seemed like just the place.
There’s just one problem: it’s wintertime here. The condo is indeed nice, but the pool is cold. It’s 72 degrees and we haven’t seen the sun once in the 3 days we’ve been here. On the plus side, the beach isn’t very crowded, and we haven’t had to worry about getting sunburned!
Also, as much as my girls love animals of all kinds, we’ve almost stepped on at least five of these Pacific Snake Eels while wading around in the shallows. It’s made us all just a wee bit skittish.
On the whole, this part of the trip definitely didn’t meet the stated purpose, but the girls have made the best of it, braving the cold water in the pool and enjoying the ocean despite the eels. Selfishly, I’ve loved the temperature, because in just a couple days we’ll be baking in 103 degrees.
Today we take a bus to Guayaquil, fly to Florida, stay a day in Ft. Lauderdale (where we’re sure to see the sun and have a warm swimming pool!), and then fly back home to Utah.