The Bowen Knot ⌘: 2015

First off, let me start by saying that we are not negative people in a perfect world. We praise the good and are honest about the negative. If something is good I will share it and if something is negative I WILL share OUR opinions. If a reader is looking for all sugar coated perfectness you will not find that here at The Bowen Knot...you will find the honest truth!!!

Our 1st Mother and Daughter Trip in Ecuador

Hosteria Izhcayluma

Vilcabamba, Ecuador

December 15, 2015 --> December 18, 2015

* Part 2 *

Candy and I decided to take a walk around the Hosteria Izhcayluma and take some photographs of the beautiful property.

Candy Outside Our Cabin

View From Our Cabin


Walkway in Front of Our Cabin. The Path Goes to the Yoga Building.

Flowers on the Arch Outside Our Cabin

Me, Myself, and I

Again...Me, Myself, and I

Candy Looking Very Healthy

Candy Locking Up Our Cabin

Time to Start Climbing

Hiking and Yoga Path

Artwork on One of the Cabins

Looking Toward the Bird Watch Tower

Bird Watch Tower

New Yoga Building

Looking Back Toward of Cabins

Growing Shade

Bird Watch Tower

More Beautiful Flowers

Hosteria Izhcayluma Beautiful Pool

Hosteria Izhcayluma Bar

After walking around the property and setting up the next days FULL SPA DAY we headed into Vilcabamba to see the town and to shop for some Belgium Chocolate, Silver Jewelry, and to have lunch.

However, It seems that most everything in Vilcabamba is either Closed or Out of all food on Wednesday's. We had our driver take us to the Belgium Chocolate shop (Closed), Silver shop (Closed), and the French Deli (Again, Closed). We did buy a bracelet and a razor. After attempting to go to several restaurants we gave up and headed back to Izhcayluma for lunch and to relax for the rest of the afternoon.

My Local Made Bracelet for $5.00US

What we finally had for lunch:

"Warm" Banana Milkshake

Coca Cola made with Real Sugar

Salad with Pickled Veggies

Bavarian Chicken Stroganoff in a mushroom sauce w/Spätzle

Bavarian Stroganoff {Chicken in a mushroom sauce, Spätzle, and salad} for $6.80US– Candy
Batidos {Banana Milkshake} for $2.00US – Candy

Coca Cola for $1.00US – Candy
~

Bavarian Stroganoff {Chicken in a mushroom sauce, Spätzle, and salad} for $6.80US – Heather

Batidos {Banana Milkshake} for $2.00US – Heather

Coca Cola for $1.00US – Heather

Coca Cola (To Go) for $1.00US – Candy

Bill for Lunch: $20.60US

OMGosh...The Bavarian Stroganoff was just amazing. It was easily one of the best dishes I have ever eaten in my life....Crazy Yummy! The soda was refreshing and the banana milkshake was just wrong. It was warm...yucky! It was milk and banana in a blender. Not a milkshake...misleading.

After lunch we walked around and looked at the flowers here at the hosteria. It truly is a garden in Eden.

After our long walk, Candy and I headed back to our oven...I mean cabin to see if it was bearable to take a afternoon nap. Since, the swimming pool was cloudy, dirty, and cold. As soon as we got on the porch Candy decided to try out the hammock.

Candy in the Hammock

Heather Roasting and Hoping to Cool Off

We opened up the 2 windows, left the cabin door open, and each took an ice cold rain shower. Then we closed the front door and crashed. We woke up and again were roasting.

Time for more cold showers so we could head to dinner.

Salad with Pickled Veggies

Bavarian Chicken Stroganoff in a mushroom sauce w/Spätzle

Bavarian Stroganoff {Chicken in a mushroom sauce, Spätzle, and salad} for $6.80 – Candy

Coca Cola for $1.00US– Candy

Bavarian Stroganoff {Chicken in a mushroom sauce, Spätzle, and salad} for $6.80 – Heather

Coca Cola for $1.00US – Heather

Chocolate Ice Cream for $1.50US - Shared

Coca Cola (To Go) for $1.00US –Candy

Bill for Dinner: $18.10US

Your not seeing double...We really loved this dinner and ordered it, again. It was again yummy yummy yummy. Plus, the Coca Cola here is so GOOD...real sugar!

We relaxed at dinner and then retired to our room so Candy could read some magazines and I could Skype my Hubby. Afterwards, it was time for more cold showers and then sleep.

SPA DAY....WE WERE BOTH SO HAPPY!!!

We were so excited this morning. We both showered "yet again" and headed to the spa at the hosteria. We arrived at 10am to start our day.

Candy opted to enjoy the following:

Pedicure (45 min) for $12US

Manicure (45 min) for $10US

Rejuvenating all natural ingredients Facial (45 min) for $16US

Full Body Massage (75 min) for $22

Full Body Massage (75 min) for $

Rejuvenating all natural ingredients Facial (45 min) for $16US

Manicure (45 min) for $10US

Pedicure (45 min) for $12US

Grand Total for Both of Us: $120US

Spa Menu

The spa treatments were greatly needed and we both felt like new people :-) With one exception, we were starving and thirsty. So off to the restaurant we headed.

Chili Con Carne

Banana Flambé

Tomato Creme Soup for $2.90US – Candy

Cheese Sandwich for $1.90US - Candy

Coca Cola for $1.00US – Candy

Banana Flambé for $1.50US - Candy

Chili Con Carne for $4.50US – Heather

Ham and Cheese Sandwich for $2.30US - Heather

Coca Cola for $1.00US – Heather

Coca Cola (To Go) for $1.00US – Both

Bill for Lunch: $16.10US

Ugh...This meal was a fail minus the Coca Cola and the Banana Flambé. Candy's Tomato Cream Soup was not hot, only warm. We sent it back to be heated. It was bland and not good. My Chili Con Carne seemed to be made with the same tomato soup with a few beans and a few crumbles of beef added. Not Good! Our sandwiches were toasted, yet cold with no butter or such added to it. The cheese wasn't even completely melted. DRY!!!

Time to head back to our oven. All the pampering and lunch had completely tuckered us both out. Cold Showers here I come.

Later that night we headed up to the restaurant for a late final dinner.

Salad with Pickled Veggies

Bavarian Chicken Stroganoff in a mushroom sauce w/Spätzle

Bavarian Stroganoff {Chicken in a mushroom sauce, Spätzle, and salad} for $6.80 – Candy

Coca Cola for $1.00US– Candy

Banana Flambé for $1.50US - Candy

Bavarian Stroganoff {Chicken in a mushroom sauce, Spätzle, and salad} for $6.80 – Heather

Coca Cola for $1.00US – Heather

Banana Flambé for $1.50US - Heather

Bill for Dinner: $18.60US

Again, your not having triple vision. Yep, we had the same thing for the 3rd time. It truly was Amazing. As a matter of fact, I asked them for the recipe and they gave me the basics and we are going to attempt it at home.

Even with the heat in our cabin...I would return to Hosteria Izhcayluma in the Valley of Longevity in Vilcabamba anytime. Time for sleep since my Wonderful Husband and Our Friend Roman were going to be here before noon to pick us up. Skype, Shower, and Sleep here I come:-)