Got my Moto and my License
When I lived in California, I had a car, a truck, a Honda Shadow and Goldwing motorcycles.
The one regret I have about moving to Ecuador was that I had to give up my motorcycles, since it is not possible to import them in to Ecuador.
As far as I am concerned, the Honda Goldwing is the pinnacle of motorcycling, in terms of comfort, safety, reliability, visibility, and enjoyment.
Since moving here, I have taken my motorcycle driving test and passed. Per chance, a motorcycle came into my life and I bought it and have now been riding up and down the coast.
This type and size of motorcycle that I now ride was what I first started riding on back in the 60s. It is hard to think how far motorcycles have come, and yet these motorcycles are generations from where they could be.
The ride is rough and unsophisticated: drum brakes on the rear, five gears that could do with a syncro gear, suspension that could do with upgrading to modern times.
In its favor, it is a 200 cc engine which is very easy to service, and it is a motorcycle that I can jump on and go if I want to.
The weather here is not such an issue as is the driving of others on the road. I have been driving motorcycles for over 40 years, and I have driven in many different countries. I thought the Chinese were bad. India was bad, but at least you could not go fast enough to get killed. Ecuador drivers are the worst in my experience.
That is why you have to be a defensive driver. Once you get out of the cities, the roads are good, but you cannot let your guard down. On the positive side, I am able to enjoy a beautiful coast road.
Manta Ecuador: World Bank to loan 115 Million Dollars
The World Bank has approved a project information document to improve water, sanitation and public transportation services in Ecuador's Manta city, in Manabí Province
Manta Ecuador: World Bank to loan 115 million dollars in water, sanitation infrastructure
Despite substantial improvements in urban water and sanitation services coverage, especially in the
large cities, Ecuador still faces a significant challenge in providing better services in medium and
small size cities and rural areas, particularly regarding wastewater treatment. In 2008, urban
coverage levels for water and sanitation services were 76.1 and 57.6 percent, respectively, whereas
rural coverage levels were 25.3 and 14.6, respectively. National coverage of domestic wastewater
treatment was found to be 24.0 percent in urban areas in 2007. Other water and sanitation issues
requiring attention are the lack of service quality (number of water hours per day) and efficiency
(substantial water losses), limited cost recovery and heavy reliance on subsidies from national,
provincial and municipal government entities and sustainability (better integration with water
resources, achieving financial closure and resilience to natural disasters and climate change).
Municipal governments are also responsible for planning, regulating and controlling traffic and
public transportation within its canton territory, on top of planning, building and maintaining the
urban road network. The National Transit Agency retains authority for aspects such as driver
licensing and national road safety and related policies including setting of standards and the
Ministry of Transport and Public Works retains responsibility of national roads, overall transport
sector policy, standards and norms such as for design and construction.
Rapid urbanization in Ecuador is accompanied by similar increases in motorization rates (from 65
vehicles per 1000 inhabitants in the early 2000's to approximately 90 by 2011) and a concomitant
increase in the related negative externalities, particularly air pollution and road accidents. To arrest
the deterioration of mobility in urban areas and particularly in medium-sized cities, actions are
urgently needed to ensure the more efficient functioning of urban areas. Historically, the levels of
investment in transport networks have not kept pace with development needs, but recently the GoE
has started to address those trends through enhancement of the planning and management of
transport systems and increases in the level of investments in infrastructure. In particular, the GoE
has committed to the implementation of mass transit systems in the largest cities (such as with the
Quito Metro, Guayaquil Bus Rapid Transit and Cuenca Tranvia projects) and interventions in the
urban road network in medium-sized cities to improve their conditions for transit operations,
pedestrian use, and overall safety. Recently, non-motorized transport has become a national priority,
as exemplified with the creation of an Office of Alternative Transport in the Ministry which is
advancing a national cycling agenda.
The City of Manta, located in the Province of Manabí, is a medium-sized fast growing port city with
fisheries and tourism as its main economic activities. Manta's road network has a total length of 350 km (217 miles) consisting of 52 km (32 miles) of arterials and collectors, and 298 km (185 miles) of local streets, and is considered to be in regular-good condition, with low levels of congestion. Proactive planning and incentives for both the demand and supply sides may enable planned growth, ensuring that more sustainable transport modes remain available, even as motorization rates and motorcycle ownership increase.
Regarding local roads there is still a significant unpaved area, and old areas requiring rehabilitation.
Water supply and sanitation services are provided by the municipal water company Empresa Pública
Aguas de Manta (EPAM), and current coverage levels are 79 and 64 percent for water supply and
sewerage respectively, as the first phase of its Water and Sanitation Master Plan has been finalized.
While Manta potable water production will meet demand for the next few years, the distribution
system faces challenges including unserved population, significant areas with aged and ill performing pipes that need rehabilitation, and significant water losses.
Reported by Latin America Current Events/News
The weather here is not such an issue as is the driving of others on the road. I have been driving motorcycles for over 40 years, and I have driven in many different countries. I thought the Chinese were bad. India was bad, but at least you could not go fast enough to get killed. Ecuador drivers are the worst in my experience.
That is why you have to be a defensive driver. Once you get out of the cities, the roads are good, but you cannot let your guard down. On the positive side, I am able to enjoy a beautiful coast road.
Sunday 11th August
Brunch
# CLASSIC EGGS BENEDICT WITH HOLLANDAISE SAUCE $ 5.25
SMOKED SALMON & SCRAMBLED EGGS ON TOASTED WHEAT B. BREAD $ 6.75
CLUB STEAK SANDWICH WITH ONION RINGS & CHIPS $ 9.90
# CHEESE & BACON QUICHE WITH GREEN BEAN & TOMATO DRESSING $ 5.80
GRILLED CHICKEN CAESAR SALAD $ 7.70
# TRADITIONAL ENGLISH FISH PIE WITH VEGETABLES $ 5.80
EGG OMELET WITH MUSHROOMS, CHEESE & HAM $ 4.75
CHOCOLATE BROWNIE $ 4.75
Alcohol cannot be consumed or purchased on Sundays
THANKS FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING
NOTE: PLEASE MAKE YOUR RESERVATION AT LEAST 24H IN ADVANCE.
TO INSURE AVAILABILITY R.S.V.P. FOR ITEMS WITH #
Manta Ecuador: World Bank to loan 115 Million Dollars
The World Bank has approved a project information document to improve water, sanitation and public transportation services in Ecuador's Manta city, in Manabí Province
Manta Ecuador: World Bank to loan 115 million dollars in water, sanitation infrastructure
Despite substantial improvements in urban water and sanitation services coverage, especially in the
large cities, Ecuador still faces a significant challenge in providing better services in medium and
small size cities and rural areas, particularly regarding wastewater treatment. In 2008, urban
coverage levels for water and sanitation services were 76.1 and 57.6 percent, respectively, whereas
rural coverage levels were 25.3 and 14.6, respectively. National coverage of domestic wastewater
treatment was found to be 24.0 percent in urban areas in 2007. Other water and sanitation issues
requiring attention are the lack of service quality (number of water hours per day) and efficiency
(substantial water losses), limited cost recovery and heavy reliance on subsidies from national,
provincial and municipal government entities and sustainability (better integration with water
resources, achieving financial closure and resilience to natural disasters and climate change).
Municipal governments are also responsible for planning, regulating and controlling traffic and
public transportation within its canton territory, on top of planning, building and maintaining the
urban road network. The National Transit Agency retains authority for aspects such as driver
licensing and national road safety and related policies including setting of standards and the
Ministry of Transport and Public Works retains responsibility of national roads, overall transport
sector policy, standards and norms such as for design and construction.
Rapid urbanization in Ecuador is accompanied by similar increases in motorization rates (from 65
vehicles per 1000 inhabitants in the early 2000's to approximately 90 by 2011) and a concomitant
increase in the related negative externalities, particularly air pollution and road accidents. To arrest
the deterioration of mobility in urban areas and particularly in medium-sized cities, actions are
urgently needed to ensure the more efficient functioning of urban areas. Historically, the levels of
investment in transport networks have not kept pace with development needs, but recently the GoE
has started to address those trends through enhancement of the planning and management of
transport systems and increases in the level of investments in infrastructure. In particular, the GoE
has committed to the implementation of mass transit systems in the largest cities (such as with the
Quito Metro, Guayaquil Bus Rapid Transit and Cuenca Tranvia projects) and interventions in the
urban road network in medium-sized cities to improve their conditions for transit operations,
pedestrian use, and overall safety. Recently, non-motorized transport has become a national priority,
as exemplified with the creation of an Office of Alternative Transport in the Ministry which is
advancing a national cycling agenda.
The City of Manta, located in the Province of Manabí, is a medium-sized fast growing port city with
fisheries and tourism as its main economic activities. Manta's road network has a total length of 350 km (217 miles) consisting of 52 km (32 miles) of arterials and collectors, and 298 km (185 miles) of local streets, and is considered to be in regular-good condition, with low levels of congestion. Proactive planning and incentives for both the demand and supply sides may enable planned growth, ensuring that more sustainable transport modes remain available, even as motorization rates and motorcycle ownership increase.
Regarding local roads there is still a significant unpaved area, and old areas requiring rehabilitation.
Water supply and sanitation services are provided by the municipal water company Empresa Pública
Aguas de Manta (EPAM), and current coverage levels are 79 and 64 percent for water supply and
sewerage respectively, as the first phase of its Water and Sanitation Master Plan has been finalized.
While Manta potable water production will meet demand for the next few years, the distribution
system faces challenges including unserved population, significant areas with aged and ill performing pipes that need rehabilitation, and significant water losses.
Reported by Latin America Current Events/News
