Adventure Tourism Ecuador

The Story of Maestro Giedrius

Maestro Giedrius– 1990 graduated from Siauliai Art School. He began his needle crusade in Siauliai, in 1996 – he opens the firs tattoo studio in town “Totemas”.

In the summer of 1998, together with “Tomas Tattoo” from Panevezys, he opens the first tattoo studio in Palanga.  The same year, in February, in tattoo convention held in Vilnius club “Angaras”, maestro Giedrius won the first place in nomination “The tattoo of the evening”. In the spring of 1999, full of enthusiasm and confidence Giedrius goes to France to look for the genuine gates of tattoo and his guru. After 3 month of research to express himself, Giedrius meets a world famous tattoo foreman Christoff Cheugny aka Neusky tattoo. Neusky agrees to open tattoo secrets to Giedrius and teaches him techniques of this art.   Working in Neusky tattoo studio Giedrius quickly got acquainted with the French tattoo masters and got the opportunity to work in other cities.  Next, he began working in “Colours tattoo” in Nevers, and in winter of 2000 he began working in tattoo and piercing studio “Abraxas”, in the centre of Paris. Two years of hard work and the use of knowledge acquired from Neusky brought the popularity and success and more connections in the world of tattoo.

In winter of 2001, a tattoo convention was held in Vilnius club “Angaras”  Giedrius won the first place in “The tattoo of the day”.  In the same year, together with his teacher, he participated in the  international tattoo convention in Berlin, and established contacts with “One more tattoo” in Luxembourg.

Giedrius started working in Luxembourg tattoo studio “One more tattoo”. After a year of working in Luxembourg Giedrius steps out outside Europe, to work in South Africa, Reunion, in the study “Abraxas Run”. Half a year of work in paradise passed as one week. After returning to Europe, Giedrius established contacts with famous tattoo masters from all over the world and participated in the 10th tattoo convention in Berlin. Soon after articles and tattoo pictures started appearing the American magazine “Tattoo Magazine” and the French magazine “Tatouage Magazine”.

In 2003, Giedrius decided to go to Scandinavia and started working in Copenhagen, “Tattoos by Larsen” and “Art Factory”.

In 2003 attending Ventspils tattoo convention, Giedrius won the first place in nomination “The best color tattoo”.

In March 2004, in Vilnius “Terminalas” international tattoo convention Giedrius won:

1st place in nomination “The best tattoo composition”

1st place in nomination “The best tattoo made during the show”.

2nd place in nomination “The best black and white tattoo”.

In March 2005, in “Tango Arena” tattoo and piercing festival “Tattoo ir ritmo fiesta” Giedrius won:
1st place:  ”The best small black and white tattoo”
1st place:  ”The best tattoo made during the show”
2nd place:  ”The best big black and white tattoo”
2nd place:  ”The best tattoo on the female body”
2nd place:  ”The best tribal tattoo“.
2nd place:  ”The best tattoo of the evening“.
3rd place:  ’’The best crazy tattoo“.

In 2005, having gained experience and tasted needles from masters overseas and acquainted with the world of tattoo art, Giedrius returned to native Lithuania and opened a tattoo studio-shop “Angis TaTToo” in Vilnius Old Town.

In 2006 Giedrius crosses the Atlantic and visited Mexico.  He becomes acquainted with the local tattoo masters and starts working in the studio “Nomad Tattoo” in Guadalajara. Half a year working together with the Mexican masters and also ancient Aztec and Maya visual arts inspired Giedrius for further development and researching of the tattoo world.

In 2007 he goes to Asia. During this trip Giedrius worked in Thailand (Kho Pi Pi), Cambodia (Pnom). The same year Giedrius and his friend Kajus opened “Happy Tattoo” studio in 4000 Islands in Laos and successfully tattooed travelers from all over the world.

In 2008 Giedrius moved to Borneo and was interested in traditional tribal style tattoos.  He visited local tribes and new ideas swell.

While working in Borneo “Head Hunters Tattoo” in Kuching, Giedrius learned to make tattoos in the traditional way.  He acquired valuable knowledge, tools and blessing of local masters. After returning to Vilnius, in the summer of 2008, Giedrius started making tattoos using taping – traditional instruments brought from overseas.  In the same year Giedrius went on a trip to South America and started working in “Black Line Tattoo” studio in Cuzco.

After he became familiar with ancient Ink visual and tattoo art, Giedrius decides to visit the tribes living in the jungles of the Amazon. Giedrius visited the Matz Indian tribes where traditional facial tattoos are still practiced. Living with Indian tribes Giedrius with hand made instruments and paint, tattooed the chief of the tribe who decorates the chest of Giedrius with scars from frog poison as the sign of acknowledgement.

In 2009 Giedrius while in Peru he encountered “Miami Style Tattoo” and tests new Moche tattoo style. Then in the same year he travels to the Pacific Coast of Ecuador and Giedrius opens “Blue Tattoo Bar” in Montinita and tattoos surfers and all the willing.  Leaving the coast, he moved to the capital of Ecuador, Quito.  While there he successfully worked in  ”Neo style Tattoo”. In February of 2009 Giedrius traveled to Colombia’s Caribbean coast, town of Taganga, together with friend’s support he temporarily opens cozy “Pirate Tattoo” studio.

Recently Giedrius has moved to our neck of the woods in Canoa Ecuador.  He is teaming up with us at the Surf Shak to open another studio.  7 Seas Tattoo is located right next to the Shak and is open for business.  With a great atmosphere that can only be improved with this addition, stop by the Surf Shak during your travels and pick up a souvenir that will last a life time.

Two years ago on March 6th, Frans Maija and I took over the Surf Shak in Canoa Ecuador.  The trip has been amazing and we have compiled a couple of photos of the Original Surf Shak and a couple of photos from the anniversary party for your viewing enjoyment.  I have finally recovered enough from the party to type.

Canoa Update:

The waves have been great as well as the company.  We’ve had sunny hot weather almost daily.  The wind for paragliding hasn’t been the best however we’ve managed a few flights here and there.  The water is warm the food is good and the crew is solid.  Come on down for a visit you won’t be disappointed.

The Old Surf Shak

Humble Beginnings

Ohh Roxanne

Happy 2nd Birthday Surf Shak

The Man the Legend....The hat

The funny hats are out

Nice Shirt

Volunteer of the Month

Surf Shak Update

Well 2010 has officially begun in the Southern Hemisphere; we take a little longer to process events like that down on the beach. Christmas was great, we ate 17lbs of Lobster here at the Shak and it was delicious. The New Year was brought in with our new friends from the Coconut Hotel with much anticipation for the great year to come.

The Coconut Hotel was recently purchased by a group of great guys from America Junior (Canada). They have been busy with landscaping, renovating, and watermelon blender drinks. In fact they have been such a part of the fun here at the Surf Shak that we decided to name the watermelon blender drink after one of the owners, “The Big Show”. Their hotel is located just outside of Canoa to the south and is set on a beautiful beach lot covered in palm trees. The hotel includes a community kitchen, hot water, huge rooms, Internet, digital cable, amazing views, a full service bar and a very hard working staff. If you are in the area and don’t want to be in town with the hustle and bustle the Coconut is our first recommendation. You can check them out on the web at www.coconuthotelcanoa.com.

We’ve added a few new items to the menu at the Shak, the Shrimp Burger for one, but most notably we are serving sushi every Saturday. A family from Quebec recently relocated to Canoa and they have teamed up with us to serve sushi on the weekends. So far we have sold out every night it has been offered, and without bias it is phenomenal. If you happen to be planning a trip to the coast and are craving some sushi stop in at the Shak. If this trend continues we will be opening a sushi restaurant in our upstairs venue with an amazing view of the ocean.

The waves have finally arrived in Canoa, last week the first northern swell of the year arrived and provided amazing glassy waves. The winds are changing direction which is bad for paragliding but good for surfing when the wind blows off shore and helps the waves stack up a bit. We recently added 5 new boards to our rental fleet and we are looking to pick up about 4 more fun boards to add to our collection.

Carnival is coming up soon and its going to be an amazing party…..for 7 days. Of course we will be hosting the Second Annual Shak Wet T-Shirt Competition together with our new friends at the Coconut Hotel. The first place prize will be $200 cash. Last year was a blast and this year is sure to be better with a bigger prize and a more people expected to be in Canoa this year for the fiesta. Carnival starts the week of the 14th in February so get here soon before Canoa is full.

2nd Annual Shak Wet T-Shirt Competition

The weather has been great for paragliding and I’ve finally worked up enough courage to take my hands off the brakes and actually snap some photos.  It’s unusual to get sunny days this time of year…we’re not complaining.  Enjoy.

Maija and I were recently invited to attend the Canoa San Pedro San Pablo festival, and walk with the Black Team as the Padrino and Madrina (God Father and God Mother) of Canoa.  Basically, this is a two day festival in which half of the town dresses in all white to represent the saint Paul, which in spanish is San Pablo and rest of the town dresses in black to represent saint Peter or in spanish, San Pedro. Maija and I felt very honored to be the “god-parents” of the black team.  On the first night, everybody meets up at the church for mass and then they carry their respective shrines in a procession around the town.  After the formalities, the two President’s mount horses and have a  sword fight “to the death.”  Of course, since this is a religious ceremony, not really to the death but they definitely  try and knock each other off their horses onto paved streets, so there is potential for some blood shed.  After the horse fights and parade in the streets, there is some music from the local children in the band and lots of food.  On the first night, it is the custom that the White team wins and is served dinner by the black team.  However, the next night is the night for the Black team!  They scream, “Vivo Los Negros!” which means “Long Live the Black Team!”  The town is excited for this because as the legend goes if the Black Team wins there will be a good harvest for the next year, and the sea will offer up more fish.  As you can probably guess the Black Team wins every year.  After being served an amazing meal the entire town erupts into a dance party in the streets…..until 8am.  It was a lot of fun, especially since we had our friends here Dave (Camel Jock) and Kate here to experience this with us and see how Canoa really comes together as a town…especially to party!  Enjoy the pictures.