Do You Want to Hear Our Story?
We never intended to live in Ecuador. A web of events happened creating a bond between us and the rustic fishing village of Puerto Lopez. It just had this charm, this comfort. Kind of like an old shoe—it just fits!
We gave up our many Canadian wardrobes to live year round in flip flops and shorts. There are no snow shovels in our bodega!
We arrived here 13 years ago with our grandson, with whom we were so fortunate to share this cultural experience. He was young and the most important thing to him was play. He sponged up the language, the culture and the community of Lopez. He learned math and spelling on the beach. Today, he is bilingual and bicultural and all of this has had such a positive impact on him and opened his future wide.
We bought this beautiful property to build our home with an extra suite for family visits. But immediately other foreigners were lining up to rent. This was the starting point of hosting for us and it has been the best job ever! From there we grew to more apartments and a full blown BnB, a pool, a gym, a studio and lush tropical gardens. We have hosted long term rentals, short term rentals, events, engagement dinners, proposals, honeymoons and anniversaries!
We have met the most amazing people from all walks of life, from all around the globe. All this by us just being a part of their vacation and sharing our little piece of paradise.
To this day we still have those “pinch me moments”; you know the ones where you look around and think “I actually live here, wow!”
Thirteen years have flown by. Our grandson has graduated and moved on to the next chapter in his life. Now we are ready to start ours.
We plan to travel and visit the many new friends we had the opportunity to host here at Villa Bella Vista, Puerto Lopez, Ecuador!
We will always return to Lopez to visit our friends here. They have been such an important part of our time here.
Paul & Susan