"REAL ALTO" IN-SITU MUSEUM:
On
the highway from Guayaquil to Salinas, one finds this museum
managed by the community descendant of the "Valdivia"
culture. This museum is ideal to observe the archeological
investigation in action. Pictures and illustrations show
the geological and cultural history of the place. Next to
the museum is a 100 year-old house made of "caña
guadúa" (a wooden cane) and another wood called
"guasango". This house was built with the architecture
of the Valdivia culture. The place resembles a ceremonial
center of the human groups that inhabited this area from
4.200 to 1.500 B.C. The area has favorable conditions for
an early human settlement: pleasant weather, a river, the
ocean, hunting, and vegetation that favor the recollection
of fruits. These conditions led the Valdivia culture to
become sedentary.
Not only can one admire the archeological remains in the
museum, but one can also appreciate old endangered species
of trees such as the "guasango" (loxopterygium
huasango) and "guayacán" (tabebria chrysantha).
Miss Vicky Bernabé, the Museum’s guide, is
proud to be a descendant of the Valdivia culture, and indeed
her facial traits tell of her heredity. The Association
of Guayas Archeologists and Anthropologists are in charge
of the museum, which is managed by the Valdivia Community.
It is open Tuesdays to Sundays, from 9h00 to 17h00. The
entrance fee is of $2.
SALINAS BEACH
The most luxurious accommodations are found on the beach
of Salinas. Salinas (salt mine) got its name because salt
is extracted from this region located on the Santa Elena
peninsula, the furthest western point of Ecuador on the
Pacific. This site is a corridor for migratory bird and
marine species.
The boardwalk of Salinas (Malecón) is a safe place
that offers lots of entertainment day and night. There are
various choices of restaurants and cafeterias. On the Malecon,
just two blocks away from the Barceló Colón
Miramar hotel, you can visit the Naval Archeological Museum
(open Wednesdays to Sundays). This small museum displays
the vast archeological richness of the region with representative
samples of the Ecuadorian pre-Hispanic history that goes
from 8.000 BC to 1.200 AD. A varied collection of the famous
Valdivia Venus (4200 to 1500 BC) is exhibited in this museum.
The abundance of these sculptures in the region remains
a mystery, but it is known that they represent the fertility
of women and land. These figurines hold a close relationship
to similar representations in other cultures of the time,
such as the Maya or the far Egyptian culture.
The museum also displays a representation of the antique
"balsas" made of the wood of the same name (scientific
name ochroma piscatoria), with great cotton sails that impressed
the Spanish conquerors because these light wood vessels
traveled large distances (Mexico-Peru). These balsas were
used for commercial exchange with cultures of Mesoamerica.
The famous shell "concha spondylus", also called
"mullo", was the currency of the time. This shell
is found on the Ecuadorian coasts of Manabí and Guayas
and also along the Peruvian coast.
The museum displays gold, copper, and silver coins from
the Spanish conquest. These coins all have a mark with the
Spanish King’s signature. There is also a display
of some pieces from the "Lady Captain" galleon
that sank in 1.664 by the Ecuadorian Coast.
MUSEUM OF THE "LOVERS OF SUMPA"
Definitely
worth visiting is this small but outstanding in-situ museum,
which is located on the antique settlement of the "Las
Vegas" culture (approx. 8.800 to 4.600 BC). The museum
got its name because the burial that is uncovered disclosed
the skeletons of a man and a woman that were carefully buried
together about five to six thousand years ago. The anthropologist
Dr. Karen E. Stothert found 200 human skeletons at the site
in 1970. This museum is the biggest cemetery of the time
that has been excavated in the new world. Besides the cemetery
of Las Vegas culture, the museum exhibits a sample of the
lifestyle of the Valdivia, Engoroy, Guangala, Manteño
and Huancavilca cultures. The museum is open Tuesdays to
Sundays from 9h30 to 16h30. The entrance ticket costs $1
for adults and $ 0.50 for children.
BALLENITA
Ballenita
means "Little Whale". The "Farallon Dillon"
Restaurant- Museum is found at the site. It has a wonderful
viewpoint that is the perfect setting for bird and whale
watching. The museum displays modern practical artifacts
made out of antique marine pieces. Most of the artifacts
are for sale. The Restaurant has a unique personality, as
it resembles a ship. Captain Dillon, owner of the place,
was a marine who completed 30 years of voyages before retiring.
COLONCHE
The beautiful church of "Santa Catalina de Colonche"
is located in the small town with the same name, which has
approximately 1.000 inhabitants. The church was originally
built in the XVII century, and reconstructed in 1998, after
the strong effects of "El Niño" phenomenon
destroyed it in 1982. It is entirely made of "guasango"
wood. The new priest of this charming town, father Bertran
Wick, is sponsoring the community to produce "sabila"
products such as juices, shampoo, jelly, etc. This plant
has numerous curative properties. Father Wick has also prepared
a local guide to instruct about the town and show the church,
the art center and a small museum that displays antiques
of the town. To contact Father Bertran Wick you can call
2529866, or Sandra Villao, the local guide, at 2529866 /
099539929 (unfortunately, she does not speak English).
AYANGUE AND PLAYA ROSADA
The beach of Ayangue is very popular among the locals because
its tame ocean is like a big pool, and its sand is soft.
Before the side road to Ayangue, there is another road that
leads to "Playa Rosada" (Pink Beach), called this
way because the sand seems to be this color due to the presence
of pink coral. It is a beautiful quiet beach, and the marine
life in the ocean is abundant and diverse.
VALDIVIA
Close to the town of Valdivia are a museum and an aquarium
with the same name. The museum displays an interesting collection
of archeological pieces of the Valdivia culture. The aquarium
is most interesting not only because of the display of exotic
sea life, but also because the guides are homeless children
who have been trained by the foundation that runs the aquarium.
This enables these children to obtain their education and
living expenses. It’s wonderful to see how much they
know about the ecology of the place!Valdivia also has a
beautiful beach that receives only a few visitors. It is
a perfect place for relaxing.
MONTAÑITA BEACH
Continuing
North, the beach of Montañita is a favorite spot
for surfers and young adventure tourists. This charming
town by the sea offers a variety of inexpensive hostels,
national and international food, and an exhilarating nightlife.
The town holds a mix of locals and foreigners, mostly dedicated
to surfing and handcrafts. Several artisans that work jewelry
and clothing are found along the main street. Surf shops
and surf rent stores are at your service.
OLON BEACH
The
wide and beautiful beach of Olon is crowned with an outstanding
Sanctuary, where the Virgin is believed to have cried once.
The Sanctuary is unique in its kind, with open walls and
a breathtaking view of the beach.
SAN JOSE
This is a small peaceful town by the sea. Many of its inhabitans
are dedicated to the produccion and commercialization of
"tagua" (vegetable ivory). The charming Cuna Luna
guesthouse is found at this site.
Article © by This is Ecuador Magazine
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