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Vilcabamba Glimpse #09
Live and Prosper in Ecuador Conference
International Living held their Live and Prosper in Ecuador Conference, May 25 – 27 in Quito at the Hilton International Colon hotel. I was an invited speaker. Following are some excerpts from pieces that International Living sent out about Ecuador and Vilcabamba prior to the conference.
"Breath-taking scenery, world-class crafts, a thriving indigenous culture, and year-round spring-like weather…the Ecuadorian Andes is one of the most spectacular stretches of terrain on Earth."
"A four-hour ride south of Cuenca lies the magical valley of Vilcabamba. Although the ancient Quichuan language made reference to the entire area south of Cuenca to northern Peru as the "Land of Long Life," or "Valleys of Good Life," Vilcabamba has laid claim to the modern translation and dubs itself the Valley of Longevity."
"International Living's
Roving Latin America Editor Lee Harrison calls Vilcabamba’s weather "the best weather on earth." At an elevation of about 5,000 feet, daily temperatures range from approximately 60 degrees Fahrenheit at night to 80 degrees Fahrenheit during the day."
An American couple and three single Americans visited Vilcabamba after the conference. Two of them bought properties at Hacienda San Joaquin. A third is considering purchasing at Hacienda San Joaquin. The fourth bought Lee Harrison's Vilcabamba home.
The couple, Don and Sylvia from Brooksville, FL, after searching the world literally for the property they were looking for fell in love instantly with a spectacular home site at Hacienda San Joaquin. The view from this property of the Andes mountains, the Vilcabamba river, the Hacienda and surrounding area is mind boggling. See the attached photos of Don and Sylvia standing on their new home site..
Jim, a retired CFO from Denver, purchased a home site not far from Don’s and Sylvia’s. His too has extraordinary views.
The new owners of both properties will be using famed Ecuadorian architect Patricio Falconi from Quito to design their homes in the indigenous country architecture style (similar to Santa Fe, NM). I will work with all through the design and build process.
Another American, here about three weeks, ago made an offer on a beautiful property at Hacienda San Joaquin. We are exchanging emails and hope to come to an agreement on that home site.
If you are thinking about a visit here to look at property, come soon while you have the best selection of home sites. All properties at Hacienda San Joaquin are unique. Some are too beautiful and spectacular for words.
The photos:
Best, Joe
Joe Simonetta
Owner/Architect
Hacienda San Joaquin
Vilcabamba, Ecuador
P.S. International Living named Ecuador "The Best Place in the World to Retire" http://www.haciendasanjoaquin.com/best_in_the_world.html