"TEQUILA" in Ecuador & beyond.....

Our little adventure to find the "Tequila factory" in Ona, Ecuador turned out to be a delightful day .....

We left about 10 am after a light breakfast here at the house - scrambled eggs, toast & coffee....

Jean brought me a beautiful bouquet of roses.....

Then we hopped into the van with Andres driving,  Poleth in the back as interpreter and entertainer!

The 2 1/2 hr. drive was absolutely gorgeous -- breath taking views through the Andes passing little villages, small waterfalls, beautiful trees & rock formations.....the time flew by as we were all having a grand time....

Ricardo & Susan Correa

Jean Lehman

Dr. Mel & Glenene Harris

We arrived in Ona about noonish and started looking for the "factory" -- no signs or directions even tho I had the "address".... I called the factory and gave the phone to Andres...an unmarked turn to a white building, and we were there.....

The Agave plant from which "Tequila" is made...

And so the "tour" began with detailed explanations as to how the juice is gathered, processed, fermented and aged, and then bottled....Pablo and his father are the owners....

Ready for the tasting --- um,....GOOD!

The bottles I brought home....2 sizes of Aguardiente and Syrup,  Jarabe....

TEQUILA can only be called Tequila (by international law) if it is processed in Tequila, Mexico....so this drink which tastes almost EXACTLY like Tequila is called Aguardiente de Agave.....

They have also started making a wine which we tasted - I didn't buy any but Jean did....I'm a Tequila girl all the way!!

Feeling happy we drove on to Saraguaro.......another 30 minutes or so from Ona....

First stop in Saraguro was for FOOD!   By now we were all starving.....Jean had eaten before in a world class restaurant in Saraguaro on the Plaza,  but they were closed because of a broken water pipe....so we found this charming little cafe.....

Ricardo and I had the fish plate ..... REALLY DELICIOUS....this plate with a large bowl of soup for only $3.75

The town, like all South American or Latin towns,  is built around a center plaza or square.....the lovely Church takes center stage.....

Very impressive was the large TV screen on the plaza  -  for watching important sporting events, I'm sure....would make a lovely evening entertainment in the fresh cool air!!

Saraguaro

is known for the beautiful hand beaded jewelry the women make.....it's so LOVELY!!!

In traditional dress this lady makes beautiful things!!!!!!

THIS IS THE NECKLACE & EARRINGS I CHOSE.....All natural stones in aqua with tiny brown beads.....

And as another remembrance of our trip I bought this great plant with purple flowers for only $1........Siete Cronas,  SEVEN CROWNS,  I think it's called....it will vine way up and around a trellis.....

We got back to Cuenca around 6pm, and hungry again we went to get Empanadas from FANNY.....She makes THE BEST.....

Rolled out, stuffed and fried, these are "to die for" as Glenene says.....

Back home tired but happy ..... Thanks to Poleth and Andres we had a wonderful safe time and look forward to more adventures with them!!

Ecuador is so beautiful,  so interesting,  and so full of life!!!