Our first stop in South America felt like home as we met our very good friends Amanda and Don Murray and their kids Ethan, Lauren and Katelyn. The Murrays are volunteering at a camp in Ecuador. Church groups and others use the camp's facilities to run programs for kids and adults.
The camp is well off the beaten path in south central Ecuador. The nearest major centre - Guayaquil - is a two and a half hour bus ride away.
We spent two days with the Murrays at their new home.
The area around the camp is beautiful. The camp sits in a picturesque valley.
We also spent a day and a half with the Murrays in Guayaquil which is the largest city in Ecuador.
One of our favourite Christmas traditions is spending time with the Murrays. We won't see them at Christmas this year so we celebrated Christmas early while we were in Guayaquil.
It was Blake's birthday when we were in Ecuador and the Murrays gave him the perfect gift - a very tasty strawberry tart.
We always have tons of fun with the Murrays and our short time with them was a great kick-off to our South America adventure.
Vanessa and Blake
The camp is well off the beaten path in south central Ecuador. The nearest major centre - Guayaquil - is a two and a half hour bus ride away.
We spent two days with the Murrays at their new home.
 |
| The camp |
 |
| The Murray's house |
 |
| In the kitchen - we all love Amanda's cooking |
 |
| Hockey Day in Ecuador at the camp's gym |
The area around the camp is beautiful. The camp sits in a picturesque valley.
 |
| Overlooking the valley |
 |
| Amanda and Vanessa |
 |
| Walking on a trail towards a waterfall |
 |
| At the waterfall |
 |
| Sunset over the valley |
We also spent a day and a half with the Murrays in Guayaquil which is the largest city in Ecuador.
 |
| Happy shoppers after visiting the market |
 |
| Strolling around town |
 |
| The waterfront area in Guayaquil |
One of our favourite Christmas traditions is spending time with the Murrays. We won't see them at Christmas this year so we celebrated Christmas early while we were in Guayaquil.
 |
| Dolls for Lauren and Katelyn |
 |
| Jersey and shorts from FC Barcelona - Ethan's favourite team |
 |
| Happy parents |
It was Blake's birthday when we were in Ecuador and the Murrays gave him the perfect gift - a very tasty strawberry tart.
We always have tons of fun with the Murrays and our short time with them was a great kick-off to our South America adventure.
Vanessa and Blake
