Music Star Ivan Najera

Not many artists can say that they have shared a stage with legendary musicians and performers such as Jose Feliciano, Julio Iglesias or even Enrique Coria. However, a very talented Ecuadorian guitarist and singer already has these amazing moments to look back on, and is continuing to make a name for himself within the music industry, namely Ivan Najera. His talent and unique style has skyrocketed him to stardom in Ecuador, and he is beginning to win over the hearts of many international music enthusiasts.

Ivan Najera was blessed to be born into a family that was extremely talented and involved with music. By the age of nine he was gracing stages and entertaining audiences and by the time he was ten he took second place at the popular National Star Search Competition, which is held in Quito. His great achievement in this competition made Najera aware that he could realize his dreams of become a performing artist, which led to him being enrolled into the Quito National Conservatory at the age of fourteen, to pursue and develop his piano and guitar studies. Najera continued to perform, also exploring his skills as a music director, and found his voice playing from radios and televisions in his teenage years. He spent two years on the popular television show Gente Joven and later became part of a salsa band, taking on the role of guitarist and lead singer. Doors began to open for Ivan Najera at the age of twenty-two, when he moved to California in 1975. Today, he is an accomplished songwriter, as well as a musician and singer, entertaining music lovers with his extraordinary jazz and contemporary rhythms. Hi music is influenced by the sounds of Brazilian music, Spanish, Andean and Flamenco.

He has released a number of albums, including Devotion, Jungle, On Top of the Rain and Malaguena. Najera received many positive reviews for his work, with Tower Records Magazine commenting that his work is: "Some of the most accomplished and innovative guitar works of recent times." Ivan Najera started on his musical career with only a dream and the determination to succeed, and has become a role model and icon for all rising musicians and talents in Ecuador.

La Florida Archaeological Site Museum

FONSAL is an organisation that was established in Quito and is responsible for the safeguarding of the heritage of the city and of Ecuador. To accomplish this mission, the organisation has a team of architects and archaeologists who work tirelessly to preserve archaeological sites and in turn conserve the history of the country. Their latest challenge has been the excavation of the La Florida Archaeological Site. Although there is still work to be done to complete the excavation, ten burial sites have been excavated and have been opened to the public.

Visiting Montanita

The town of Montanita can be best described as a small surfing paradise with picturesque beaches and magnificent waves. What was once a quiet town with a few surfer tents pitched along the coastline and wooden fishermen homes has developed into a quaint seaside resort destination that welcomes thousands of foreign visitors each year. The surfers still flock to this idyllic location in the Santa Elena province, but the town now has a host of accommodation options, exciting attractions and thrilling activities for all to enjoy.