More car carrier ships arrive than cruise ships. Can’t imagine who is buying all these vehicles.
These big container ships unloaded SUV and cars.
This is the Ecuador Navy’s one active submarine. It was docked off the port for a few days.
Lake Geneva also docked and unloaded trucks, SUVs and cars.
Several cruise ships also docked this past few weeks.
Good thing we brought the binoculars!
While we were out walking early one morning a group of Ecuador Navy guys were taking a run down the beach. We used to see this all the time when we lived in Salinas. It is nice to see that Ecuador takes physical fitness seriously. They all looked pretty good to me!
Many times when we are at the beach we have noticed shrimp boats out in the water. Yesterday I just assumed that the ship in the distance was just that a shrimp boat. Joe disagreed and I just hate when he is right.
Maybe I have been wrong other times as well, Naw, not possible, ha ha We often saw the Navy ships on the coast in Salinas, you can see pictures in past blog articles if you want to see some pretty sharp ships. The most enjoyable to see is the tall ship the Guayas, what a magnificent boat.
Other posts I have done on the Ecuadorian Navy ships. Just put the title listed below in the search box and these older posts should pop up.
Ahoy Matey! Tall ship off the balcony! posted 7.19.2010
Ecuador Navy Back in Town Yesterday posted 4.14.2011
Also our friends Mary and John McDonald living here in San Clemente saw the same boat yesterday, we spotted John watching and taking photos, to see their article go to: http://johnandmarylivingitupinecuador.wordpress.com/2012/10/21/ecuadorian-navy-el-oro-cm14/ t
Enjoy your weekend.
Mid-morning today the police patrols starting announcing the evacuation of the beaches in Salinas. Calling for all crafts, sunbathers, swimmers and vendors to leave the beach due to high tide alerts. Most folks are now milling around the malecon.
Below is a link to La Nueva for an article that outlines the evacuation.
http://www.lanueva.com/hoy/nota/0b5113ab91/1/104482.html
Tomorrow is the official holiday to celebrate the Independence of Quito and many folks are on their way to Salinas and other beach towns for this long weekend. According to what we have read, the beaches, fishing, boating, sailing and swimming will be prohibited for the next three days. Currently there are police as well as other gentlemen standing guard on the malecon and at the waters edge.
I have never seen the beach this quiet except for census and election days. Strange to be able to see the beach so bare!
High noon Thursday, August 11, 2011
High noon Thrusday, August 11, 2011
High noon Thrusday, August 11, 2011
What do you think these folks are being told?
A few of the folks patroling the waters edge.
Armada del Ecuador
Armada del Ecuador
What an amazing experience living overlooking the water. In my entire life I have never seen so many wonderful sights as we have seen in our last eight months here in Salinas. Yesterday late afternoon six of the Ecuadorian Navy’s more intimidating vessels anchored in the waters off the yacht club. With my new camera (Thanks to dear Nancy Watson) I was able to get great shots and even was able to read the ships numbers marked on the bow of the ships.
Info on these ships is included in this recap from Wikipedia:
| Guided missile frigates (2 in service) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BAE Morán Valverde (FM-01) |  United Kingdom |
Leander-class frigate | Condell-class frigate | ||
| BAE Presidente Eloy Alfaro (FM-02) | United Kingdom |
Leander-class frigate | Condell-class frigate | ||
| Guided missile corvettes (6 in service) | |||||
| BAE Esmeraldas (CM-11) |  Italy |
Tipo 550 class corvette | Esmeraldas class | ||
| BAE Manabí (CM-12) | Italy |
Tipo 550 class corvette | Esmeraldas class | ||
| BAE Los Rios (CM-13) | Italy |
Tipo 550 class corvette | Esmeraldas class | ||
| BAE El Oro (CM-14) | Italy |
Tipo 550 class corvette | Esmeraldas class | ||
| BAE Galápagos (CM-15) | Italy |
Tipo 550 class corvette | Esmeraldas class | ||
| BAE Loja (CM-16) | Italy |
Tipo 550 class corvette | Esmeraldas class | ||
CM 11 Esmeraldas
FM 02 Presidente Eloy Alfaro
CM 15 Galapagos
CM 16 Loja
FM 01 Moran Valverde
CM 14 El Oro
You can also find more information at this website: http://books.google.com/books?id=TJunjRvplU4C&pg=PA167&dq=ecuadorian+navy+ship+guide&hl=en&ei=wP-mTe_KA8TngQfWlY30BQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CDYQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false
Late on Monday evening Joe noticed several ships docked off the yacht club. The next morning before my walk I took a few pictures thinking they may move out before I was back. I was right. All but one had sailed before the sun was completely up. Last evening four of the five returned. They must be doing some sort of training.
Here are some closeup pictures of two of these boats. I would not want to mess with either one of them with the big guns and missile launchers aboard.
We have seen them several times this morning leaving and returning a few hours later.
Finding our Paradise in South America 