After about 2 hours of driving we stopped for petrol and morning tea break, at a roadhouse which was part of a tiny town set amongst some low lying hills and small farmlands. We ordered coffee and a local delicacy- a chicken-filled turnover which was deliciously spicy and very filling. It was good to stretch our legs and breathe the fresh country air but we didn't wander from the roadhouse sight as it was not considered safe. Opportunistic touts had also gathered at this tourist rest spot and they offered a variety of nick-knacks like key rings, i-phone covers, pens and post cards for any tourists who'd stopped off for a break from the long drive. They really hounded us but most of their goods did not appeal to us because we had no need for them.
However, whilst we were chatting a young boy approached us with two banana bread loaves to sell for his mum. What an enterprising mum! She had found a unique way to supplement her family income, by tapping into the tourist trade.
One of the passengers bought a loaf of banana bread which she later shared with our group when we continued our coach ride towards Guayaquil. The banana bread was really moist and delicious.
After about 30 minutes we continued towards Guayaquil city and the closer we got more frequently we passed increasingly larger, established towns with shops, restaurants, electricity and other services. Homes and other buildings were more substantial too. Timber, tin, concrete and brick had replaced mud bricks and grass roofing and there were plenty of cars, toot-toots, bicycles, trucks, motor bikes and buses like in any other city.
