AAVE Trip BLOG » More Bloggin’ Action from Ecuador!
July 20, 2009
More Bloggin’ Action from Ecuador!
Posted by Chris in : Ecuador & Galapagos , trackback
Hey Everyone!
Sorry for the blog pause… we have just been having too much fun! As they say down here, “mas vale tarde que nunca” (better late than never:) So without further ado, here is the latest from the middle of the earth!
We are now in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Since our last post we spent a fabulous week in the Amazon Jungle! Beginning with two days rafting class III rapids on the JatunYacu river outside of Tena (Jatun = Big, Yacu = Water in the Native Quichua language), headwaters of the great Amazon herself! With fun rapids and great guides we paddled alongside spectacular views of dense jungle, majestic waterfalls and crazy jungle creatures of all kinds. This was a big highlight for most campers as we traded in our boots and jackets for bathing suits and sandals and had a great time enjoying the warmer climate of the rain forest. Our campers did a great job rafting and we were impressed with each and every one of them for facing their fears, braving the river, and having a blast! We spent the remainder of our jungle time in Shangrila, one of the most spectacular jungle lodges in the Amazon!!! Built on a cliff that overlooks a bend in the Anzu River, it offers unbelievable views of virgin rain forest rising into the foothills of the Andes - all from the comfort of a handmade hammock dangling from the treetops.
On clear days (we were blessed with a few) there were striking views of snow capped volcanoes rising in the distance above green jungle foreground! Don’t worry, we didn’t get too comfortable in the hammocks as our days were very full: visiting indigenous villages, learning about traditional hunting and fishing techniques, going for hikes through canyons, caves and waterfalls while our phenomenal guide Matildo, a native Quichua Indian, informed us of the various medicinal and decorative uses of myriad jungle plants. Other highlights include: lazily floating down rivers in inner-tubes, late night sing-a-longs, amazing sunsets, and visiting AmaZOOnico - an animal rescue center where we got to get up close and personal with all sorts of jungle species like: monkeys, toucans, macaws, ocelots, jaguarundis, anacondas, bats, caymans, river turtles, capibara and many more.
With one days rest en route back to Quito, we ate at our favorite restaurant of the trip so far and prepared for the last leg of our journey in the Galapagos Islands!!! Arriving first to Isla San Cristobal, we wasted no time and went straight away to the highlands for a bike ride all the way from the top of a volcano to the beach for our first sunset swim in the Pacific. It was too good to keep to ourselves so a group of playful sea lions came and joined us in the water! For the past four days we have gone snorkeling four times and been lucky enough to see: dolphins, a whale, two kinds of shark, many sea lions, marine iguanas, schools of fish, sea turtles, penguins, blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, albatross, flamingos and much much more. Tomorrow we will see giant Galapagos tortoises, land iguanas, and visit a huge lava cave!
With only four days left on our adventure, most people are simultaneously missing home, and not wanting the trip to end. We are going to get the most out of our last days so expect some tired yet content campers coming home in a few days. This trip has been a blast and we are so lucky to have each and every camper with us. It has been an experience full of adventure, fun, new friends and much growth. I feel so lucky to have seen so many campers come out of their shells, try new things, make new friends and feel proud of themselves. I for one, am proud of them all!
Hoping your summers have been as wonderful as ours! Blessings from the middle of the Pacific Ocean,
Andy, Katie & The AAVE Ecuador Crew 2009
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