tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69536351812634902152024-02-06T20:58:22.964-08:00Adventures in ParadiseEdd Statonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10087303161307567127noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953635181263490215.post-2871848201626725712013-02-27T13:12:00.000-08:002013-02-27T13:12:36.719-08:00Mashpi Lodge(Written by TerraDiversa's Edd & Cynthia Staton)<br />
<br />
A private driver picked us up in Quito for an early morning drive to <a href="http://www.mashpilodge.com">Mashpi Lodge</a>. Mashpi has ushered in a new level of tourism in Ecuador. It's an extremely high-end ecolodge hidden in an amazing cloud forest northwest of Quito.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhinbG-OFnmA4PDgvbyli7AcSNamZxJ43Zp4G2Bxr5EUHlXLup0wxBm0i4DVO_cyZ5SWj7WwYx7XxbyxRBw9ZXyELs8xIcF2OiH7nsFRxJmLKUAsNF3PXsaNono3YapCy8N2tcrvP_5q60/s1600/SAM_1521.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhinbG-OFnmA4PDgvbyli7AcSNamZxJ43Zp4G2Bxr5EUHlXLup0wxBm0i4DVO_cyZ5SWj7WwYx7XxbyxRBw9ZXyELs8xIcF2OiH7nsFRxJmLKUAsNF3PXsaNono3YapCy8N2tcrvP_5q60/s320/SAM_1521.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
On the drive there we crossed the equator twice and enjoyed the lush countryside.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipoEvoISUiwtL8uItkgn2MjaIIT3LkSt91ogKIASnN-WqTnuzBQVbl8S_xoWG034ux5i3Fdc5ES85CmLBotX46hdkQZpWV3NpLId0IrysDhxNJJTnIBunGGxqYAtTID3u7y0AuwPXmb2I/s1600/SAM_1436.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipoEvoISUiwtL8uItkgn2MjaIIT3LkSt91ogKIASnN-WqTnuzBQVbl8S_xoWG034ux5i3Fdc5ES85CmLBotX46hdkQZpWV3NpLId0IrysDhxNJJTnIBunGGxqYAtTID3u7y0AuwPXmb2I/s320/SAM_1436.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
We drove past fields of sugar cane and through tiny villages for a couple of hours before heading down a narrow, bumpy dirt road for another forty five minutes. Where exactly <i>was</i> this place?<br />
<br />
A short distance from the last village we entered the cloud forest, and instantly the air became misty and cooler. It looked, felt, and even smelled different. The surroundings felt primitive, like we were entering the world of Avatar or Jurassic Park. <br />
<br />
Finally the clouds thinned and we arrived at the gate. As it opened we expected to find ourselves at the lodge, but, no, there were another twenty minutes of excitement and anticipation as we wound our way past waterfalls and increasingly dense vegetation. Then at last we rounded a curve and there was <a href="http://www.mashpilodge.com">Mashpi Lodge</a>, our sleek, ultramodern home for the next three days.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXNKlqZwyOlWrCoaLy9jBV0GXMy2XQU1XIMXbNawc22C3UwmqlSx04p30PNS3yLXlWFHY_uJrvWLyeDk6GDsh6LqDZ6bTq09yhYNvGaZRBLcpEfpiVDhK4biIvgrCi2YTNx8cG0sHnCBg/s1600/Mashpi.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXNKlqZwyOlWrCoaLy9jBV0GXMy2XQU1XIMXbNawc22C3UwmqlSx04p30PNS3yLXlWFHY_uJrvWLyeDk6GDsh6LqDZ6bTq09yhYNvGaZRBLcpEfpiVDhK4biIvgrCi2YTNx8cG0sHnCBg/s320/Mashpi.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
The interior is stunning, with wide open vistas of the forest in every direction.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsHhGMfvIl5A_R_zc_Jx6MiQIKxtTT-CgcSeaMKST1MPvJ2gop38kyxnCztdKkS4NyOOwf2zX5PG4D-rx0lakt6_2wp586Sgs24rRQGvLkM1cJ2afIYww6TS0F0rz4VKbfGggfZorVtds/s1600/SAM_1444.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsHhGMfvIl5A_R_zc_Jx6MiQIKxtTT-CgcSeaMKST1MPvJ2gop38kyxnCztdKkS4NyOOwf2zX5PG4D-rx0lakt6_2wp586Sgs24rRQGvLkM1cJ2afIYww6TS0F0rz4VKbfGggfZorVtds/s320/SAM_1444.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmHbhet-GPrQyykUDiGXsUCPA6nG0haJ0E7UjuaCnKv6Y_ZwTly1sA6V6LDaUecrBlSL3hZi4d78F9u7pIRss2sJjoMvJ_WUgjIFW3GkBT3SyUz1HKCC-59PHjd7HlwV4DCgJenLN7Vew/s1600/SAM_1442.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmHbhet-GPrQyykUDiGXsUCPA6nG0haJ0E7UjuaCnKv6Y_ZwTly1sA6V6LDaUecrBlSL3hZi4d78F9u7pIRss2sJjoMvJ_WUgjIFW3GkBT3SyUz1HKCC-59PHjd7HlwV4DCgJenLN7Vew/s320/SAM_1442.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rSZg0FhTuSLvfbpPeFVAJw-G6zK-CZgscKTf9o2QsNWHEq_8LTPH59cy_PAUJ6dDOb5UV7IR7cSIjAIHVqaWN6d6PzhmRlXm1IM5to0DSa9lyXW4h94C6-LinOt5MR99Zhii4tKk4II/s1600/SAM_1443.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rSZg0FhTuSLvfbpPeFVAJw-G6zK-CZgscKTf9o2QsNWHEq_8LTPH59cy_PAUJ6dDOb5UV7IR7cSIjAIHVqaWN6d6PzhmRlXm1IM5to0DSa9lyXW4h94C6-LinOt5MR99Zhii4tKk4II/s320/SAM_1443.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiraGE0vejEXuhQPhkFB-GXMsp-pZT1e-ckSrK5YiJ0er_YffJDAcVpO6PXrogIj53BW8JMsBH0IERuUkMz47L3tRy4-JoOTtx6IpJNTC4vk67WQ-Z3bHQWSHgkF0Q2HNPbr0cD7X2ckOI/s1600/SAM_1560.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiraGE0vejEXuhQPhkFB-GXMsp-pZT1e-ckSrK5YiJ0er_YffJDAcVpO6PXrogIj53BW8JMsBH0IERuUkMz47L3tRy4-JoOTtx6IpJNTC4vk67WQ-Z3bHQWSHgkF0Q2HNPbr0cD7X2ckOI/s320/SAM_1560.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
And talk about a room with a view--WOW!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhavF1YKjzeZ3mRBODRpcwaOvKWAHbyuGEHMwdaR-Slzm8ovGLcxnO2a7dtL5aVzVQ3ToXQSbDvDqoRS-VIkeRGJEKqZMlK_7varCu6l5QJF4Q_ZGO6NsZtFPLGP7mgq3uiWS7BMx16PDQ/s1600/SAM_1438.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhavF1YKjzeZ3mRBODRpcwaOvKWAHbyuGEHMwdaR-Slzm8ovGLcxnO2a7dtL5aVzVQ3ToXQSbDvDqoRS-VIkeRGJEKqZMlK_7varCu6l5QJF4Q_ZGO6NsZtFPLGP7mgq3uiWS7BMx16PDQ/s320/SAM_1438.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA0hO0gxrgrsBy8hrZN2GO10nyfmwDCImV3PfZCl-PGf1TvZbKxFGI2fAVl1WAE6btZX6pX18A_Q_4H9I4CKWOWXN-5x3IwP27RKLttcEsNG-mEI935GJSkAqwGhFAxpkaCx_Xrz7r8EU/s1600/SAM_1439.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA0hO0gxrgrsBy8hrZN2GO10nyfmwDCImV3PfZCl-PGf1TvZbKxFGI2fAVl1WAE6btZX6pX18A_Q_4H9I4CKWOWXN-5x3IwP27RKLttcEsNG-mEI935GJSkAqwGhFAxpkaCx_Xrz7r8EU/s320/SAM_1439.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
After getting settled and eating lunch we were hooked up with two lovely couples visiting from Canada.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkxjro9EZ2NRvfC2UEgRaGgfqTZRZU26Ivj9_SYD3ubljHrDY0hskR6cdvRPm3CGb4mj8BGeMNRbwD4FIgFeJrJop6rTrJcOeW5QuAN8NW0ZT5FC-0h5QhVaoKTPbIHX6jrNIImGwP0tc/s1600/SAM_1549.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkxjro9EZ2NRvfC2UEgRaGgfqTZRZU26Ivj9_SYD3ubljHrDY0hskR6cdvRPm3CGb4mj8BGeMNRbwD4FIgFeJrJop6rTrJcOeW5QuAN8NW0ZT5FC-0h5QhVaoKTPbIHX6jrNIImGwP0tc/s320/SAM_1549.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
We hiked to the Life Center, where native butterflies are studied.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja6dPCbCZGKFFbnBG7t7YpwYGFINucKXXvHyN76CUwnHWua7g0ni0OFic4lsNYG3c5jsfMb2QyIM_Ph4-Y6TK-IGbsd6jD1qGGk0LrRBEPl7BTuja1Ed-QmGN_WE0qYYY5QDGQD_EBSSk/s1600/SAM_1498.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja6dPCbCZGKFFbnBG7t7YpwYGFINucKXXvHyN76CUwnHWua7g0ni0OFic4lsNYG3c5jsfMb2QyIM_Ph4-Y6TK-IGbsd6jD1qGGk0LrRBEPl7BTuja1Ed-QmGN_WE0qYYY5QDGQD_EBSSk/s320/SAM_1498.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7SUC4eXLJABsP9I4-uv4j-2E3Oal0EQsB7BNa78Jfm9Xamhy-7NkSku4nT3MDkuei7wuvy3kBv2Ua-Iyv5J-FSjHc6AMSyJjJPs8YF8VdPve1iuh13PFYiikKXONqnLmgJlzNXUIwCCA/s1600/SAM_1468.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7SUC4eXLJABsP9I4-uv4j-2E3Oal0EQsB7BNa78Jfm9Xamhy-7NkSku4nT3MDkuei7wuvy3kBv2Ua-Iyv5J-FSjHc6AMSyJjJPs8YF8VdPve1iuh13PFYiikKXONqnLmgJlzNXUIwCCA/s320/SAM_1468.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
We saw beautiful scenery<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinB2MFw6M8AeDfrTdzMHu7OByVA7ZO8s7GzrbV_b3AIFffqvWbi4XU9bHn0LPE4bAuNiuM2MffXclvTNLtJ5jvxLX47z-MMXD1vqoNuASeIXTrwuqgHhVBFso8xKhGUIAo6FlU0aN8ZPE/s1600/SAM_1467.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinB2MFw6M8AeDfrTdzMHu7OByVA7ZO8s7GzrbV_b3AIFffqvWbi4XU9bHn0LPE4bAuNiuM2MffXclvTNLtJ5jvxLX47z-MMXD1vqoNuASeIXTrwuqgHhVBFso8xKhGUIAo6FlU0aN8ZPE/s320/SAM_1467.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
and even a baby ocelot along the way.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCmEvTWlNN4aDJsSziMTSVoBhyphenhyphenAWn6qdA3niooacG0JzfQDAJAnyljWHwZCZJeuiH-m189WCi83jvcAv1zJsuzUsS3ubvUChXi0AegtzG3CBSYIA2ILR7TNLQdyyTU9oap7Du97tiwLzk/s1600/SAM_1459.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCmEvTWlNN4aDJsSziMTSVoBhyphenhyphenAWn6qdA3niooacG0JzfQDAJAnyljWHwZCZJeuiH-m189WCi83jvcAv1zJsuzUsS3ubvUChXi0AegtzG3CBSYIA2ILR7TNLQdyyTU9oap7Du97tiwLzk/s320/SAM_1459.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
This is an orphan they are hoping to reintroduce into the wild, but without parents to teach it to hunt the task will be difficult.<br />
<br />
Inside the Life Center we observed many species of awesome butterflies.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0SKUTjF5WwNuXASEbGWUdvNyDx-Y6ciwSVC8Z2XFHHH_N1I5jBfTMWS7cpqwq1ulp8wskPqfsRSkOP26r_ZBJeSClDqzU0198bqPoYNMqVy_WYy5RBbL_7ZPnU58ncp5vCHYKRMPt5I/s1600/SAM_1475.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0SKUTjF5WwNuXASEbGWUdvNyDx-Y6ciwSVC8Z2XFHHH_N1I5jBfTMWS7cpqwq1ulp8wskPqfsRSkOP26r_ZBJeSClDqzU0198bqPoYNMqVy_WYy5RBbL_7ZPnU58ncp5vCHYKRMPt5I/s320/SAM_1475.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik2E4vtvKSZy_tTlaBxqxJbn45CI9BdRcBL0HfItFz-iAKVgU4yp4dtXI_VrZ7mALc51XyM5xvzdOGxtrUBEk7mJ1NTFB1lo4ib5_fMIn_o4H4pIG3NH_oMskmD50sA1dH18nuecYdeHo/s1600/SAM_1481.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik2E4vtvKSZy_tTlaBxqxJbn45CI9BdRcBL0HfItFz-iAKVgU4yp4dtXI_VrZ7mALc51XyM5xvzdOGxtrUBEk7mJ1NTFB1lo4ib5_fMIn_o4H4pIG3NH_oMskmD50sA1dH18nuecYdeHo/s320/SAM_1481.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Jo2T439Hqj6NWshWiwCJXn9DPBZSxxK8bBUDkG9JXu1FLWBOoZzC3AOm_mykg4G8y64wjzm5OWBYDqh9d8X3PN3vHUzEvYa_TnC7ZtqdRVliiJf9_fntyblzQUjlvDWwrc33xLw2-t4/s1600/SAM_1485.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Jo2T439Hqj6NWshWiwCJXn9DPBZSxxK8bBUDkG9JXu1FLWBOoZzC3AOm_mykg4G8y64wjzm5OWBYDqh9d8X3PN3vHUzEvYa_TnC7ZtqdRVliiJf9_fntyblzQUjlvDWwrc33xLw2-t4/s320/SAM_1485.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
We were told that sunny days are unusual, so we felt fortunate to see a stunning sunset before heading back to the lodge.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoYjWpxR62XfMSkbN7e4ejq5NMLtlfb-UaKS8zeQu5IZcNWVl2R8GD688Q_Htyo1thcfTaM7JGNWgtMEaEYxvAYuiG57I8Dp_fCHdCo_Z1iAHnQB0SMDDzPjslyv2qJKr-JIE8wbaOQqg/s1600/SAM_1490.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoYjWpxR62XfMSkbN7e4ejq5NMLtlfb-UaKS8zeQu5IZcNWVl2R8GD688Q_Htyo1thcfTaM7JGNWgtMEaEYxvAYuiG57I8Dp_fCHdCo_Z1iAHnQB0SMDDzPjslyv2qJKr-JIE8wbaOQqg/s320/SAM_1490.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
The next morning required early rising for bird watching from the lodge's observation deck.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-EbdQ-l5JKTyJIyypDCcOJ5yLWq-jNwihyphenhyphenNbZS6ezCJlYVtwKb6IJ9pHIHfY3UZH13c9bTFqnT_lu-RZ1rFTAAA2wuaZyq00M8YIFUtxuRj3WtaH9X7xFy2_sqcBZL85FdbEWtO58nA/s1600/SAM_1561.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-EbdQ-l5JKTyJIyypDCcOJ5yLWq-jNwihyphenhyphenNbZS6ezCJlYVtwKb6IJ9pHIHfY3UZH13c9bTFqnT_lu-RZ1rFTAAA2wuaZyq00M8YIFUtxuRj3WtaH9X7xFy2_sqcBZL85FdbEWtO58nA/s320/SAM_1561.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8EMXTAbEkjItQPPPXyJO34WDuNARWVmoX-NQkJLUxK_qNtqXnesqRG6_vJf77Z5glm2iyfAZZojU-CwfIWLLGHCZUUPHi80a5UO36MHMdi9_NqIaXUsDgZ7ED3QjmGNmYNO2fBAgsPsc/s1600/SAM_1493.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8EMXTAbEkjItQPPPXyJO34WDuNARWVmoX-NQkJLUxK_qNtqXnesqRG6_vJf77Z5glm2iyfAZZojU-CwfIWLLGHCZUUPHi80a5UO36MHMdi9_NqIaXUsDgZ7ED3QjmGNmYNO2fBAgsPsc/s320/SAM_1493.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
This is a good example of why the area is called a cloud forest.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhKrFQiTVjGxXRd8JRZzVMdqmovevGDCVYTEQLdIC4qiXtW978rkNIlyelt3se0G_9eKP83WDYJ7CuAYDxm9cvirbHAlsSPIQcmlW8vwo-dQdrDfIZZJxNMwShozusrfzz0rBufqJqfIY/s1600/SAM_1496.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhKrFQiTVjGxXRd8JRZzVMdqmovevGDCVYTEQLdIC4qiXtW978rkNIlyelt3se0G_9eKP83WDYJ7CuAYDxm9cvirbHAlsSPIQcmlW8vwo-dQdrDfIZZJxNMwShozusrfzz0rBufqJqfIY/s320/SAM_1496.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
Then we were off on another hike, this time a long one to a waterfall. There's Mashpi in the distance as we trekked through the forest.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUutzJa2KpznQwmIUsHu4s3QXzUbbvC29hwkkFVWg-EunBqG2i1Ib5xH57QOWZzreeEkNKvqjaWihTqGBwH3PsEzqsc48VLgxF-wU1GiSuqcCOQT4X9mgC98_wzONRvCsqojR47QaCEcQ/s1600/SAM_1500.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUutzJa2KpznQwmIUsHu4s3QXzUbbvC29hwkkFVWg-EunBqG2i1Ib5xH57QOWZzreeEkNKvqjaWihTqGBwH3PsEzqsc48VLgxF-wU1GiSuqcCOQT4X9mgC98_wzONRvCsqojR47QaCEcQ/s320/SAM_1500.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
After about two hours we heard the roar of the waterfall and soon arrived.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQ0DJh9UyDH34upQRSvOA02bDreSNAYH0enodpWDUO7kINEVjHYvQujkI7Eeg30fFsbr62rgTrXTN6qxNqTKINC5CLMuQmA0qX_PvWSiVeB9YBfbpPhYCythy18om1vdb5siV4sFMVaQ/s1600/SAM_1503.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQ0DJh9UyDH34upQRSvOA02bDreSNAYH0enodpWDUO7kINEVjHYvQujkI7Eeg30fFsbr62rgTrXTN6qxNqTKINC5CLMuQmA0qX_PvWSiVeB9YBfbpPhYCythy18om1vdb5siV4sFMVaQ/s320/SAM_1503.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhek8WYMzSXNUXKTGqj5UI57LLlAy6xPrmo48_EgvnGJDZUME8K8A_36mvkITdgHnYh7Ihzy-s0BD5Pkj1TPJbpSnxIQXxsli3twFgDr3n4513M0KNpKkDqujtVbFOMdGPlzHElcDGWER0/s1600/SAM_1511.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhek8WYMzSXNUXKTGqj5UI57LLlAy6xPrmo48_EgvnGJDZUME8K8A_36mvkITdgHnYh7Ihzy-s0BD5Pkj1TPJbpSnxIQXxsli3twFgDr3n4513M0KNpKkDqujtVbFOMdGPlzHElcDGWER0/s320/SAM_1511.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
Some of the group chose to cool off in the water. The temps were a bit too nippy for us.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg09v5IpYfC3UnocsqokfVSwLPFJyLqPDgO89RL6C2oL3W5sATIAAJ0JoCchoERAPs3YV6d0EPUQACS7NuQme3bZnIhaFe5Aj3Dkyp20DXe1_C3SQ3cXG6fwHFs8GcRCVRoUC30d55TDVg/s1600/SAM_1507.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg09v5IpYfC3UnocsqokfVSwLPFJyLqPDgO89RL6C2oL3W5sATIAAJ0JoCchoERAPs3YV6d0EPUQACS7NuQme3bZnIhaFe5Aj3Dkyp20DXe1_C3SQ3cXG6fwHFs8GcRCVRoUC30d55TDVg/s320/SAM_1507.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
The challenge of a long hike is when you get where you're going you still have to go back. We were pooped, so after lunch a nap plus a bottle of wine and a trip to the Jacuzzi formed the rest of our afternoon agenda.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSEsIvBXg8R87_ADN-b4I9G5iiUjDOKwqEbbJ5vZ7mX6yLcbrMLedd_mU8wjEYS5lmkf7LpxfcxI7s3fkM2yJ0uMXlL5BRu6ECMrFQqH5MQqnsVTxSMQGA3j_jtf3gVRA2juSQHgRAH1g/s1600/SAM_1453.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSEsIvBXg8R87_ADN-b4I9G5iiUjDOKwqEbbJ5vZ7mX6yLcbrMLedd_mU8wjEYS5lmkf7LpxfcxI7s3fkM2yJ0uMXlL5BRu6ECMrFQqH5MQqnsVTxSMQGA3j_jtf3gVRA2juSQHgRAH1g/s320/SAM_1453.JPG" /></a> <br />
<br />
On our final morning we packed in the activities before heading to the airport. First we climbed up, up, up the observation tower<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC0R3NfIAbZ0HTkr1D5ZBO-F5mwgDZg2Hrm1OKNqN8WQqR5JfHLnHdduBq8dZRxqODjJLQ8N6wGyEGpQ-7IjeUHUDjRXZxWBBBlQJBarXzhVrKVazXJc-6nR3koRz-zC5Hf2JIseaOsHw/s1600/SAM_1518.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC0R3NfIAbZ0HTkr1D5ZBO-F5mwgDZg2Hrm1OKNqN8WQqR5JfHLnHdduBq8dZRxqODjJLQ8N6wGyEGpQ-7IjeUHUDjRXZxWBBBlQJBarXzhVrKVazXJc-6nR3koRz-zC5Hf2JIseaOsHw/s320/SAM_1518.JPG" /></a> <br />
<br />
for a breathtaking look at our surroundings.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZ_A4vjEenUuMb8mBcczUQ-L6UFp-8cu9aERafOESZ9OHNdybeWzMu8D6JeH6emmffJDHT6VQ-3vLVpKeQmJTWsAJZqclqKNJ2GKNAMrYANnRBVB0Zrve5Lbn1pN-9g-9z5h3R7bw9Jk/s1600/SAM_1520.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZ_A4vjEenUuMb8mBcczUQ-L6UFp-8cu9aERafOESZ9OHNdybeWzMu8D6JeH6emmffJDHT6VQ-3vLVpKeQmJTWsAJZqclqKNJ2GKNAMrYANnRBVB0Zrve5Lbn1pN-9g-9z5h3R7bw9Jk/s320/SAM_1520.JPG" /></a> <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi45TEZbH57j0FpHFlbk7hXt7Lr5id4Azv1Vm-IgXjvpPQOwbRgH1hd6TiyK81T_jmuocD_TJw6kqE_XBI0uBg1QIXpi1S2Rsh1owso3Uwbee3qKfymvJONcZ5ZhiHtayIuBA1yMAxx6f0/s1600/SAM_1522.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi45TEZbH57j0FpHFlbk7hXt7Lr5id4Azv1Vm-IgXjvpPQOwbRgH1hd6TiyK81T_jmuocD_TJw6kqE_XBI0uBg1QIXpi1S2Rsh1owso3Uwbee3qKfymvJONcZ5ZhiHtayIuBA1yMAxx6f0/s320/SAM_1522.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
Then, we climbed into a bicycle-like contraption for a treetop cable ride across a long, deep valley.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixW1v0fUqcBR6XVsmR3RK70dFgomB10jL2-UMR1n9jN6VxyTxi4rPRXDhfjlqi9OlVp_Qv-TSIebsWdKjCtUKBjFc86LI6CDAM628NKC4yAbg6uafnoXHmae9NP_SheVjDC52nO_nQCPo/s1600/SAM_1535.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixW1v0fUqcBR6XVsmR3RK70dFgomB10jL2-UMR1n9jN6VxyTxi4rPRXDhfjlqi9OlVp_Qv-TSIebsWdKjCtUKBjFc86LI6CDAM628NKC4yAbg6uafnoXHmae9NP_SheVjDC52nO_nQCPo/s320/SAM_1535.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
Across the sky we soared, feeling just like Elliott and ET.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiappIIAuf-xZSIelAxXUA6L5q9jqBtvGvDcFP6rHbCVS7O3yHKcDfqKXLt5UOCl3I2_iJM998RHuef89oGaHDsb-PS1PMVw2fajs3BuSRjwhRBdcxtBt1-BzFfSbtrWW2HfpSqyKwwCec/s1600/SAM_1526.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiappIIAuf-xZSIelAxXUA6L5q9jqBtvGvDcFP6rHbCVS7O3yHKcDfqKXLt5UOCl3I2_iJM998RHuef89oGaHDsb-PS1PMVw2fajs3BuSRjwhRBdcxtBt1-BzFfSbtrWW2HfpSqyKwwCec/s320/SAM_1526.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
Everything looked much different from our unique vantage point.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifkwMYUA5yoB46PHBaWHp-hVz1va4p5I58d5sxiggiZrJvHKIcM1lMKSvMw_2pRSuaFtq-BCaUF1Y0muWQvOj1kZUgfYqiNAlriFIAWOKboyydz82zRZVu7R3Cgi-sgIgAfx856nOQli0/s1600/SAM_1542.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifkwMYUA5yoB46PHBaWHp-hVz1va4p5I58d5sxiggiZrJvHKIcM1lMKSvMw_2pRSuaFtq-BCaUF1Y0muWQvOj1kZUgfYqiNAlriFIAWOKboyydz82zRZVu7R3Cgi-sgIgAfx856nOQli0/s320/SAM_1542.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpRZfd3v0572PA92CexvfZgwcWGyZzybE8jxwau6EBrKBIQAfZsdRxwNDVLtqmjJDqwHulYBeT7QCDelnz3kbV9oBGjU1SZVxD1jeHqqfi4FZtCeOj0dbC2gpMOoDxFfAWHSQSYBJyeEc/s1600/SAM_1546.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpRZfd3v0572PA92CexvfZgwcWGyZzybE8jxwau6EBrKBIQAfZsdRxwNDVLtqmjJDqwHulYBeT7QCDelnz3kbV9oBGjU1SZVxD1jeHqqfi4FZtCeOj0dbC2gpMOoDxFfAWHSQSYBJyeEc/s320/SAM_1546.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvxARgdsMA9pMxbjgKeNJuQB45OG_iN2Dp-1YJDejFKt6u44xGCsyYGNHRYddRUd6YpqmxqmCyn0ed_biYrGM3TlsQATotIl6Lm9tnOL7Nnp7gWL9sJpWgL2QYUZ1L1bENOBBOxsOMXSA/s1600/SAM_1538.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvxARgdsMA9pMxbjgKeNJuQB45OG_iN2Dp-1YJDejFKt6u44xGCsyYGNHRYddRUd6YpqmxqmCyn0ed_biYrGM3TlsQATotIl6Lm9tnOL7Nnp7gWL9sJpWgL2QYUZ1L1bENOBBOxsOMXSA/s320/SAM_1538.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
After that adventure we had one more memorable treat in store. We stopped near the front gate at a hummingbird observation spot. Thirty one different species have thus far been identified at Mashpi, and many of them were strutting their stuff for us.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinjiyEfwBJ8HlBPm3U9CfybGRK_I6yf09ve8nIvP7Fb9ZqgraJOCy6Kbn-UQ6ojr-9H2ZasU2cPtcftVs9OmyaJB0wbP-89HOBAlWK4yj7tuwk1hOOsDgPoQulETHUm9EmvLeOmHEG8sY/s1600/SAM_1571.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinjiyEfwBJ8HlBPm3U9CfybGRK_I6yf09ve8nIvP7Fb9ZqgraJOCy6Kbn-UQ6ojr-9H2ZasU2cPtcftVs9OmyaJB0wbP-89HOBAlWK4yj7tuwk1hOOsDgPoQulETHUm9EmvLeOmHEG8sY/s320/SAM_1571.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFpQer8eKA8bPdmXWXDP3KDxWCkntAJiR3G4mBATKRgGl8b2Bb5WHyq2F1luF9j7u5HQI1qyIZcy9r6w7JmjFQOBPqo6CpX3OIlqNdngPsvM505PbcisBEfueHUylRDr4PXlCTXF3pIoY/s1600/SAM_1567.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFpQer8eKA8bPdmXWXDP3KDxWCkntAJiR3G4mBATKRgGl8b2Bb5WHyq2F1luF9j7u5HQI1qyIZcy9r6w7JmjFQOBPqo6CpX3OIlqNdngPsvM505PbcisBEfueHUylRDr4PXlCTXF3pIoY/s320/SAM_1567.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
A most remarkable thing happened just before we left. As our departure was on Valentine's Day, Mashpi's staff had thoughtfully given both of us roses when we checked out. These are of course not indigenous in a cloud forest, but we were curious to see if the hummingbirds would react to the flowers' red color. Indeed they did.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3eCvm-yEU1H3CxoByWjQ3uzAjDndNE88nEsD1ZMly9pi8S11afixh5xG_jJv7PSutyL-KKgP4F8888A1OYPo9TOAJp-cCV9GYjBzxRJKJGRr_sUGj4aZyuGfJNkGa1kX_MY4bglguowQ/s1600/SAM_1580.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3eCvm-yEU1H3CxoByWjQ3uzAjDndNE88nEsD1ZMly9pi8S11afixh5xG_jJv7PSutyL-KKgP4F8888A1OYPo9TOAJp-cCV9GYjBzxRJKJGRr_sUGj4aZyuGfJNkGa1kX_MY4bglguowQ/s320/SAM_1580.JPG" /></a> <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6AyjOwiI_zpzVyBoahximhiD5HreGzVkM71jkkh2A4Wi67MoEqe1A9lWO65BLkaN0tYBYadGm0HITS0G-Xn6qE4_kuVMLYKzmLyLGPNiUIlg183Q9bQ6N94Zn_vGgLqUyeKM90W5Yfoc/s1600/SAM_1586.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6AyjOwiI_zpzVyBoahximhiD5HreGzVkM71jkkh2A4Wi67MoEqe1A9lWO65BLkaN0tYBYadGm0HITS0G-Xn6qE4_kuVMLYKzmLyLGPNiUIlg183Q9bQ6N94Zn_vGgLqUyeKM90W5Yfoc/s320/SAM_1586.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
So we decided to take our little experiment a step further, and Cynthia received a Valentine's present she'll never forget!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh43lu0vQFx1YgsQ6h7EUh-R6eBHbYY135mraFBVVxjeHcYnFziysDOr-W7B2wsCsMCrn6S8y2KHWg0rXzsChyphenhyphen4wTEWudX4oJV4QOBnNILk8jEgvv1gaVGB-lEYd-IBY343Vbu2KGabGxA/s1600/SAM_1604.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh43lu0vQFx1YgsQ6h7EUh-R6eBHbYY135mraFBVVxjeHcYnFziysDOr-W7B2wsCsMCrn6S8y2KHWg0rXzsChyphenhyphen4wTEWudX4oJV4QOBnNILk8jEgvv1gaVGB-lEYd-IBY343Vbu2KGabGxA/s320/SAM_1604.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
Did we have a fabulous time at <a href="http://www.mashpilodge.com">Mashpi Lodge</a>? What do you think?<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6uPgcmRmsTZnH1eGoLwdCVGgzQUc-2w6c6VkUkWCZLfncYiA1WxeDgHgz5U35dPR31gkUd7t5xaipvtWvPawPcq-cv5Z8ibFZWOukkuBhovEVD2pPtfGwp7srpN2WXgDuXgMl4bAMR2o/s1600/SAM_1529-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6uPgcmRmsTZnH1eGoLwdCVGgzQUc-2w6c6VkUkWCZLfncYiA1WxeDgHgz5U35dPR31gkUd7t5xaipvtWvPawPcq-cv5Z8ibFZWOukkuBhovEVD2pPtfGwp7srpN2WXgDuXgMl4bAMR2o/s320/SAM_1529-001.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
We highly recommend a visit to <a href="http://www.mashpilodge.com">Mashpi Lodge</a>. It is truly a remarkable trip of a lifetime! Contact our travel specialists for details.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Edd Statonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10087303161307567127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953635181263490215.post-64057237454675870412012-08-10T14:40:00.000-07:002012-08-10T14:40:35.902-07:00Whale Watching TripFrom June through October each year humpback whales journey from Antarctica to mate in the warmer Pacific waters of Ecuador's coast. Although they can be spotted from as far north as Esmeraldas all the way south to Salinas, prime viewing of these magnificent creatures is enjoyed near Puerto Lopez on Ecuador's central coast.<br />
<br />
Early Sunday morning our TerraDiversa group of 15 plus guide and driver (on a trip co-sponsored with GringoTree) set off for that destination. Here's a shot of the "Sea of Clouds" as we went through the Cajas mountains.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWreLVMmUqdc-2V5yFFZ_IKdWY6oQMeAi_gNVjhcVwkgCmniVyi2RA7JqrJV8R9gcw4v41dxqfKTUqy9hhccczGbdC5c6MTeGTTOIxDYRdZysURyNftnnWmkKbiAy93b1o6LoNa5facyY/s1600/SAM_0911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="181" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWreLVMmUqdc-2V5yFFZ_IKdWY6oQMeAi_gNVjhcVwkgCmniVyi2RA7JqrJV8R9gcw4v41dxqfKTUqy9hhccczGbdC5c6MTeGTTOIxDYRdZysURyNftnnWmkKbiAy93b1o6LoNa5facyY/s320/SAM_0911.JPG" /></a></div><br />
The total drive time is 7 hours, so the trip was broken up with a stop at the Guayaquil Historical Park.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmrEJRwIbShwBvfbITXNtfMHveVQ-MA1oB4Vp8PTC-SgpXY4t9_vcKVeosN8PQTFDlYtdB5eixDqJnhnUxqo0UtGHJ6AdtacNXHVG5yix-SVoLEDrQnr3Fs1iDLhfPV5Ajigc0Qth-WnM/s1600/SAM_0934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="181" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmrEJRwIbShwBvfbITXNtfMHveVQ-MA1oB4Vp8PTC-SgpXY4t9_vcKVeosN8PQTFDlYtdB5eixDqJnhnUxqo0UtGHJ6AdtacNXHVG5yix-SVoLEDrQnr3Fs1iDLhfPV5Ajigc0Qth-WnM/s320/SAM_0934.JPG" /></a></div><br />
The park, set on 20 lush acres smack in the middle of an extremely prosperous neighborhood, is first class all the way. It's divided into three sections.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi62NnjwA-2Zrj-dERKzt4ictpEDH9yIS-bEWwmhw8YCyJf0hV0GZmNEhZI1TmcdPVJL2altxmNJJogmtdmnskHrjiXOb8HMVQRfNLhNJvv6378lcCIwH2bOjtsy2zHCe1O04pwfUopVwU/s1600/SAM_0914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="222" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi62NnjwA-2Zrj-dERKzt4ictpEDH9yIS-bEWwmhw8YCyJf0hV0GZmNEhZI1TmcdPVJL2altxmNJJogmtdmnskHrjiXOb8HMVQRfNLhNJvv6378lcCIwH2bOjtsy2zHCe1O04pwfUopVwU/s320/SAM_0914.JPG" /></a></div><br />
The Wildlife Zone is home to indigenous plants and animals.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPz2DL_qtAodGeFgGjpwEsp7SpEj61Wv1wNiLAZIxIxWGI_DppS8U-rJRqdSKAHRuA3EeSg74qpsydkwl2DAb7wlv7EcCIooTAeAksHWigQmj6hgdDPtYEDdsVvzrI3QqUNOOQ8g14QI/s1600/SAM_0913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPz2DL_qtAodGeFgGjpwEsp7SpEj61Wv1wNiLAZIxIxWGI_DppS8U-rJRqdSKAHRuA3EeSg74qpsydkwl2DAb7wlv7EcCIooTAeAksHWigQmj6hgdDPtYEDdsVvzrI3QqUNOOQ8g14QI/s320/SAM_0913.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix6J7HcrtJuQ1ZS62hFheEWYqHmhWBEzNi2Oy6l3KIVI97OW22pbQ__ujg40bZRMQ6QVxPyYYzldEW4bcXvrYd8CPUnVTQHcqw3RVo8Mm5rEJjbU1CWKIn4Ns_zx9UtDhBJ46bv3zJVdM/s1600/SAM_0917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix6J7HcrtJuQ1ZS62hFheEWYqHmhWBEzNi2Oy6l3KIVI97OW22pbQ__ujg40bZRMQ6QVxPyYYzldEW4bcXvrYd8CPUnVTQHcqw3RVo8Mm5rEJjbU1CWKIn4Ns_zx9UtDhBJ46bv3zJVdM/s320/SAM_0917.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Young coffee buds grow right out of the bark. Who knew??<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrmsD5TvqC48ERUN4YQhUBXp8W8JWZUOD-mZikq-tlTp8SY9yIFFEKcwnL-VPp8k60qsLBNhLKpxY3CnGDl2Si2KeYOFyEoLNSiI3W2nX0BlbmaCjgjhzgoeZ0ISwj2ZjnSSJ_D11I4YE/s1600/SAM_0933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="185" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrmsD5TvqC48ERUN4YQhUBXp8W8JWZUOD-mZikq-tlTp8SY9yIFFEKcwnL-VPp8k60qsLBNhLKpxY3CnGDl2Si2KeYOFyEoLNSiI3W2nX0BlbmaCjgjhzgoeZ0ISwj2ZjnSSJ_D11I4YE/s320/SAM_0933.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVcYBk3LKDL4JkoAdwaB17-qrnL3ymLEFO7iL3o922kyqUHaQBKmmuRQagEdj8uf0K1a9YhsgoqKZDCzsmU4PEkdqYAdUz7Vas-pqfWkayj1vWn_dvZUFtUKbbZ7IKVg0POefEVU2knQ/s1600/SAM_0923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="261" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVcYBk3LKDL4JkoAdwaB17-qrnL3ymLEFO7iL3o922kyqUHaQBKmmuRQagEdj8uf0K1a9YhsgoqKZDCzsmU4PEkdqYAdUz7Vas-pqfWkayj1vWn_dvZUFtUKbbZ7IKVg0POefEVU2knQ/s320/SAM_0923.JPG" /></a></div><br />
This homely looking mammal is a tapir.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh96P11Br1bvg5yXJ_16YKb5MA6RwKs_7L3K-_iEUAG3WhODHz79WTVNnV50-fLGG7_SfJDy4MoS7jBeeFFC9JZhnF2O5CwKrQAA2YJ1HvEptVgkObq6A6eDju9jLKA4AyQ2aV-hw22JYI/s1600/SAM_0925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="196" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh96P11Br1bvg5yXJ_16YKb5MA6RwKs_7L3K-_iEUAG3WhODHz79WTVNnV50-fLGG7_SfJDy4MoS7jBeeFFC9JZhnF2O5CwKrQAA2YJ1HvEptVgkObq6A6eDju9jLKA4AyQ2aV-hw22JYI/s320/SAM_0925.JPG" /></a></div><br />
The Urban Architecture Zone preserves historical turn-of-the-century buildings that were actually moved from downtown into the park and reassembled.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPxChAQdv0h2x6DjoB4tFuYF7DNZQZRa4WIgRZXrtr-w94KRuRdYJTxJO3kIXyh2ecI4sCtZdDraWMCYct7d1M3-kaDWKIWxxW9h2zwWg_DXOP3ZNhF9196WvV1X6HLJ_b7uEPMP4jcJg/s1600/SAM_0928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="205" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPxChAQdv0h2x6DjoB4tFuYF7DNZQZRa4WIgRZXrtr-w94KRuRdYJTxJO3kIXyh2ecI4sCtZdDraWMCYct7d1M3-kaDWKIWxxW9h2zwWg_DXOP3ZNhF9196WvV1X6HLJ_b7uEPMP4jcJg/s320/SAM_0928.JPG" /></a></div><br />
And the Traditions Zone celebrates the cocoa-producing culture of the Ecuadorian coast. The park was so big we kind of rushed through this part to continue our journey but stopped to take a group photo.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZqBXGrtYptYi9-h2q2i7kLb-VoS6LurtXVURrk7-Y4zPr7MsW_UD0R4uBJKSfANUE6yDStXAXtRJDCJLMVb3_w7CN3TZUbNSP2yp2BdYLhWfXVxTZzfRPNxp7uPw331ksvQ7EHklGD3XQ/s1600/SAM_0931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="180" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZqBXGrtYptYi9-h2q2i7kLb-VoS6LurtXVURrk7-Y4zPr7MsW_UD0R4uBJKSfANUE6yDStXAXtRJDCJLMVb3_w7CN3TZUbNSP2yp2BdYLhWfXVxTZzfRPNxp7uPw331ksvQ7EHklGD3XQ/s320/SAM_0931.JPG" /></a></div><br />
After lunch at a nearby mall we continued up the coast and arrived late afternoon at our lodging in Montanita. Most of the group spent the rest of the day exploring the shops and restaurants of this lively town known as the "Surfer Capitol of Ecuador."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJtUtf8uS0ZAB_TmwQ89ePbrFr8Vqm2FtK8AAkml49chXGxvFz6tuHKb0xeHt2AyX8wbgbYrSF3LkMjfrzpNnpwB5Jd6ZHW3VwRu7DRBt3qBtJT_Bi4VazYXO9d-f7f-c3Z981FFfRwTA/s1600/IMG_3457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJtUtf8uS0ZAB_TmwQ89ePbrFr8Vqm2FtK8AAkml49chXGxvFz6tuHKb0xeHt2AyX8wbgbYrSF3LkMjfrzpNnpwB5Jd6ZHW3VwRu7DRBt3qBtJT_Bi4VazYXO9d-f7f-c3Z981FFfRwTA/s320/IMG_3457.JPG" /></a></div><br />
An early start the next morning took us to Puerto Lopez, a fishing village that enjoys a tourism windfall during whale watching season. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKEYcju5nGTNFzJDrURTaycqBwiP7TA5h8gJhUxoyteDMhZRhAaQMWESvMsW_PEpe9k3kAQZNEG3lIQZAjgB7BRM-d3wb3IAFFI94BWWTbZd5VQKrWZ4pSsQI1veBKz29DUP3O1AcjEaE/s1600/SAM_0941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="181" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKEYcju5nGTNFzJDrURTaycqBwiP7TA5h8gJhUxoyteDMhZRhAaQMWESvMsW_PEpe9k3kAQZNEG3lIQZAjgB7BRM-d3wb3IAFFI94BWWTbZd5VQKrWZ4pSsQI1veBKz29DUP3O1AcjEaE/s320/SAM_0941.JPG" /></a></div><br />
We donned life jackets, climbed into the boat, and were on our way.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKE-8oHOEf1eaFfGlSq02YfsQiPM8MYjEvG6GiiFf8epaWLcMvqpbqLNQal1TYhsKZBHNdvECt2rLdsgqGCyJ9b_kTdPVkmbak8WsAjnxuVwTHj2JDlu2XlZ2W_hbm3u7d1cNCnPrivB4f/s1600/SAM_0942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="180" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKE-8oHOEf1eaFfGlSq02YfsQiPM8MYjEvG6GiiFf8epaWLcMvqpbqLNQal1TYhsKZBHNdvECt2rLdsgqGCyJ9b_kTdPVkmbak8WsAjnxuVwTHj2JDlu2XlZ2W_hbm3u7d1cNCnPrivB4f/s320/SAM_0942.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Some of the group thought we'd see whales quite near the shoreline. Wrong. We kept going out, out, out and amazingly, although we rode a couple of hours and about 25 miles before the first whales were spotted, no one got seasick.<br />
<br />
Our guide guaranteed we'd see whales. Did we ever!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLYezVBpW71BWUO1n-nyong7oIOlDwqGJaZdUT4vV00Di49wITKRTWC1b2HG6dRb0rEWqoVpf_WK_J28quVJ2IqkFikl9OKCqfzg9ysWGByUPXRjY0QEpGCtJlXu8k-GT-2et2-QWUV8/s1600/SAM_0950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLYezVBpW71BWUO1n-nyong7oIOlDwqGJaZdUT4vV00Di49wITKRTWC1b2HG6dRb0rEWqoVpf_WK_J28quVJ2IqkFikl9OKCqfzg9ysWGByUPXRjY0QEpGCtJlXu8k-GT-2et2-QWUV8/s320/SAM_0950.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkCHUUiNPf1E2GCVocu8DgjfAR6DU8aIEAYm-dc3_HVE1ZK1Fn4YFvCPd2Cf4ikxSYwbcZg5VsZDM6vSWVhJJofviVmcvFKXy0ujjWjbv7uXSUxp_yoy-8cMgVDVLNlFnByTh-CvLxG0U/s1600/SAM_0952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="312" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkCHUUiNPf1E2GCVocu8DgjfAR6DU8aIEAYm-dc3_HVE1ZK1Fn4YFvCPd2Cf4ikxSYwbcZg5VsZDM6vSWVhJJofviVmcvFKXy0ujjWjbv7uXSUxp_yoy-8cMgVDVLNlFnByTh-CvLxG0U/s320/SAM_0952.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcdWpCgTtem7BpC6jrr2s19e9NlcGi2Rz4SpHyay8zQ5GUXbOuLMEuAqoXs-vEG5eZ_DzhMfnqPTpCvnLSio1DX8Nst90AGZs2v6rhNUx8IkZKjXWncEhvTZI7DfDt-vfZ2B4UBEo_LCM/s1600/SAM_0951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="181" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcdWpCgTtem7BpC6jrr2s19e9NlcGi2Rz4SpHyay8zQ5GUXbOuLMEuAqoXs-vEG5eZ_DzhMfnqPTpCvnLSio1DX8Nst90AGZs2v6rhNUx8IkZKjXWncEhvTZI7DfDt-vfZ2B4UBEo_LCM/s320/SAM_0951.JPG" /></a></div><br />
It was unbelievable we could safely get that close. We spent about an hour enjoying our good fortune.<br />
<br />
Then we continued on to Isla de la Plata, or Silver Island, so named by the Spanish when they first saw it gleaming on the horizon. Words cannot describe the disappointment they must have felt when they discovered upon disembarking that the silver color was due to massive amounts of bird droppings instead of precious metal.<br />
<br />
In modern days the island is nicknamed the "Poor Man's Galapagos" because numerous species from that famous archipelago also reside there. Most notably, the blue footed booby,<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-rspo6wsxYvS-E5oimxhIJM47LGJYWL9t_enkUJdoKmkMWEp7RObB-fZx1BEbijWFD287Z63z6rZipiJ4qYWukcRRwppMln8FUcaDp6oedZyAs5u1Z1j6keJCCtwS21HvGPPJzVrwK74/s1600/SAM_0963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="203" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-rspo6wsxYvS-E5oimxhIJM47LGJYWL9t_enkUJdoKmkMWEp7RObB-fZx1BEbijWFD287Z63z6rZipiJ4qYWukcRRwppMln8FUcaDp6oedZyAs5u1Z1j6keJCCtwS21HvGPPJzVrwK74/s320/SAM_0963.JPG" /></a></div><br />
also named by the Spaniards not for having large breasts but because of their clumsiness on land. And perhaps because they wander around as in this pic clueless to the possibility that they could be dinner in the wrong species' eyes. Fortunately on this island and the Galapagos no such predators exist.<br />
<br />
Isla de la Plata has a rugged and wild look that made for some nice photo op's.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil78n7qpQIqMAHLHhTvfXK0bpxEl6znW26fpUiXvtwM_Dt1A7YjXTEVaFVSq6UA0jmEf9yxr1wausvHkn9Mj7xJ7KZB4VA0h-1rmmdBX6cmBQ964kJad572CDkYudsNuanbfot71dVy6s/s1600/SAM_0965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="126" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil78n7qpQIqMAHLHhTvfXK0bpxEl6znW26fpUiXvtwM_Dt1A7YjXTEVaFVSq6UA0jmEf9yxr1wausvHkn9Mj7xJ7KZB4VA0h-1rmmdBX6cmBQ964kJad572CDkYudsNuanbfot71dVy6s/s320/SAM_0965.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE2wIAfYVcj1wRmWNFcPt0Z1FTuM5XINbAa5KmiG2KK66WESPzw9kqZtvbffFd51Hjl4MhRjGMm1fGBjrF5-i3vY5fdcy-DLj0movP2RiA-jImpigJStHjadWiECW15m1Dn_hArlULkRs/s1600/SAM_0967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="166" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE2wIAfYVcj1wRmWNFcPt0Z1FTuM5XINbAa5KmiG2KK66WESPzw9kqZtvbffFd51Hjl4MhRjGMm1fGBjrF5-i3vY5fdcy-DLj0movP2RiA-jImpigJStHjadWiECW15m1Dn_hArlULkRs/s320/SAM_0967.JPG" /></a></div><br />
After a long and bumpy ride back to Puerto Lopez we returned to Montanita, ate dinner, and crashed. On our last morning we stopped off briefly in nearby Olon to admire the amazing and completely deserted beaches<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDC0_inbremXQVxc3Zufu6yAudN7JVYfbbcCO-E8ph7lHhnuVDcFV_xBkm9gUzMyjJcrGziL9pymbDfghEjUSAG4QKAQZkKvo_Q_MUD_NbHt_o_1Lp3hXOWz4AFNZVKEUD-ZwmchRhUEk/s1600/SAM_0975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="181" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDC0_inbremXQVxc3Zufu6yAudN7JVYfbbcCO-E8ph7lHhnuVDcFV_xBkm9gUzMyjJcrGziL9pymbDfghEjUSAG4QKAQZkKvo_Q_MUD_NbHt_o_1Lp3hXOWz4AFNZVKEUD-ZwmchRhUEk/s320/SAM_0975.JPG" /></a></div><br />
then stopped at a craft village to shop for some lovely merchandise created by local artisans. An example are these napkin rings made from tagua, or vegetable ivory, packaged in a cool balsa wood box.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRNj3fGBYP1qc9fo0v7wQpzB0Be2_yDkjmGokgOREWKhCRb-GcbYQH1Ig8gE0WiayOt8L4eagEaKCMSw4zSm8DrMdK1nBDbiJZPvUavosjT8UoyOWUfq4T5nTQtxUUDHjuAmpKWIbJ2G0/s1600/2012.08.09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRNj3fGBYP1qc9fo0v7wQpzB0Be2_yDkjmGokgOREWKhCRb-GcbYQH1Ig8gE0WiayOt8L4eagEaKCMSw4zSm8DrMdK1nBDbiJZPvUavosjT8UoyOWUfq4T5nTQtxUUDHjuAmpKWIbJ2G0/s320/2012.08.09.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Tuesday evening we were back in Cuenca from an amazing whale watching excursion that exceeded all expectations!<br />Edd Statonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10087303161307567127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953635181263490215.post-55990556210143860732012-07-04T13:08:00.000-07:002012-07-04T13:08:20.046-07:00TerraDiversa Featured in International LivingIt was an honor for TerraDiversa's Edd Staton to be recently featured in International Living's "Fund Your Life Overseas" series. Here's a reprint of the article.<br />
<br />
<b>A New Life in Ecuador</b><br />
By Suzan Haskins<br />
<br />
Just four short years ago, Edd Staton and his wife Cynthia, were working in sales jobs in Las Vegas. Then they were both laid off. They were in their 50s. Things didn’t look good.<br />
<br />
It was Cynthia’s second time being "downsized"—and she and her husband decided that enough was enough. It was time to stop putting life on hold...and time to start living it.<br />
<br />
"We saw the value of our savings plunge as we were nearing retirement age," says Edd. "Rather than continue to work for too many more years trying to correct this problem, we decided to retire, relocate, and enjoy the rest of our lives."<br />
<br />
They decided to pursue the things they’d always wanted to do: writing...painting...sculpting... They also wanted to be of service and in some small way to leave the planet a better place...maybe even start a new business if the opportunity presented itself.<br />
<br />
To have this kind of life, they knew they’d need to move to a place with a lower cost of living. After lots of research they decided on Ecuador.<br />
<br />
In 2010, Edd and Cynthia moved to Cuenca—a vibrant city of about 500,000 people in southern Ecuador. They quickly fell into the rhythm of life, exploring the city and making new friends.<br />
<br />
One of these new friends was Ecuadorian Juan Heredia, who had begun his career as a Galapagos Islands tour guide before developing his own tour business. Juan wanted to share his love of Ecuador and to tap into the growing market of expats in Cuenca.<br />
<br />
"Our involvement with TerraDiversa happened organically," Edd explains. "Juan had other business commitments, and he mentioned that he really needed a partner he could trust."<br />
<br />
Edd and Cynthia considered what it would mean to jump back into the workforce...and in a foreign country. But one of the reasons they had left the U.S. was to lower their monthly expenses so they could travel more. This interest, they decided, combined with their skill sets in sales and marketing, were a perfect fit for TerraDiversa's needs.<br />
<br />
The partnership combines the "best of both worlds," Edd says. "There would be no clock-punching required, so we offered to come aboard and Juan readily accepted."<br />
<br />
Edd wrote and designed the new website that launched recently while Cynthia has been helping the staff learn how to better advise clients in choosing the best travel experiences possible. In March, the Statons represented the company at the New York Times Travel Show.<br />
<br />
"For expats in their later years, I believe this is the time to follow your passion," Edd says. "Too many of us, me included, pursued careers more for money than enjoyment. I feel blessed that we and TerraDiversa found each other. We’re having a blast."Edd Statonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10087303161307567127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953635181263490215.post-87028909706424545292012-05-28T12:16:00.001-07:002012-05-28T12:16:07.183-07:00Avenue of the Volcanoes---Days 3 & 4As mentioned in the last entry, the place we stayed in Salcedo was so cool in an Ecuadorian way. It's called Rumipamba de los Rosos,<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjntn9PnMvmzLcNbPVaT9FGYbqNrpniza_48yhHiLbMnhhf1xWlNyXCqn3ORQHQI8nwn8k3r9A05xLChD3Q9v2IIFk7QFGZ3Dqhuf4bMMi-BFesgDywBGKjqzzDY2GTj0d2RmZf6yKwXqA/s1600/SAM_0377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjntn9PnMvmzLcNbPVaT9FGYbqNrpniza_48yhHiLbMnhhf1xWlNyXCqn3ORQHQI8nwn8k3r9A05xLChD3Q9v2IIFk7QFGZ3Dqhuf4bMMi-BFesgDywBGKjqzzDY2GTj0d2RmZf6yKwXqA/s320/SAM_0377.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
and it appears to be one of those old haciendas you occasionally find that was converted into a hotel after the majority of the land surrounding it has been sold off. Our room was large and excellent and had a fireplace that was thoroughly enjoyed after a long day.<br />
<br />
What made this place so interesting were the grounds. The spaces around the rooms were meticulously manicured,<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU4lM_ngtBIknzfg8w3IDmJ6DrmwZeOIACodbDAo1jeop-kmgpmXLN2RSNpzWqL8TLYNUpSGm6OOMNmiI1IkCktnOdB6Kwa9CQpVvg8bBnDHwaez4q19cOYvncshl7hrea33DdEdTugzI/s1600/SAM_0380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU4lM_ngtBIknzfg8w3IDmJ6DrmwZeOIACodbDAo1jeop-kmgpmXLN2RSNpzWqL8TLYNUpSGm6OOMNmiI1IkCktnOdB6Kwa9CQpVvg8bBnDHwaez4q19cOYvncshl7hrea33DdEdTugzI/s320/SAM_0380.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><br />
but a walk around the surrounding grounds revealed, in addition to horses, ponies, and a random ill-tempered ostrich, a hodgepodge of curiosities.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt1O8Luu7RyfWb_ivsjy3ys8pPSWS_ZHWo5GCnwk69TsApn-nLi8OOUwybHBkFUlskosL6tEgNEj0sfE4925xNu2LruhCcHiUOYVjFyIaB51RkODa52XGYj5aszmZFm4J1H2-Xlidhllg/s1600/SAM_0375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt1O8Luu7RyfWb_ivsjy3ys8pPSWS_ZHWo5GCnwk69TsApn-nLi8OOUwybHBkFUlskosL6tEgNEj0sfE4925xNu2LruhCcHiUOYVjFyIaB51RkODa52XGYj5aszmZFm4J1H2-Xlidhllg/s320/SAM_0375.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy5gEHY-U0lSaEs7CU1W0jH0omEjBCO4-QuFDv-tfoOUlnpv4ttLUDy1Z6svHNWQ32LYvW0f7Juf_3NGSu8YRLPKkGORypGlv97HS5t6JHmtOjgTYPovXcmfnh5T-IqTLvaUMjwAcQyq8/s1600/SAM_0369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy5gEHY-U0lSaEs7CU1W0jH0omEjBCO4-QuFDv-tfoOUlnpv4ttLUDy1Z6svHNWQ32LYvW0f7Juf_3NGSu8YRLPKkGORypGlv97HS5t6JHmtOjgTYPovXcmfnh5T-IqTLvaUMjwAcQyq8/s320/SAM_0369.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
How many hotels have an airplane in the front yard?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Thbe8ebfnlPgLjwFalq8Ea_GcsvlxSpxIciN5-exYa4dOxHHO3KGXMa5rqpb0qkRW7zs0_4uzCB9pmG9mUFdBZUwqizJhk1ZR1r1oCmOSJ5E2mSPci9BDfeBJ33CzCUuhKIoYZlDgmQ/s1600/SAM_0370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Thbe8ebfnlPgLjwFalq8Ea_GcsvlxSpxIciN5-exYa4dOxHHO3KGXMa5rqpb0qkRW7zs0_4uzCB9pmG9mUFdBZUwqizJhk1ZR1r1oCmOSJ5E2mSPci9BDfeBJ33CzCUuhKIoYZlDgmQ/s320/SAM_0370.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
On the way to the Quilotoa crater lake, in addition to more spectacular scenery,<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7pJB0Hookak8TZOtXUMzuIyoqwFdN3bf4eh27sL6U_00XI8GQ6Obz5T8kKg9bkCIHvRLkGwyQaGcBFm61RW7SQBck9KepXpNE1UbgLqBDcMzGSV408FKgnYBApgCa9nVQDswJK1T9Zas/s1600/SAM_0398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7pJB0Hookak8TZOtXUMzuIyoqwFdN3bf4eh27sL6U_00XI8GQ6Obz5T8kKg9bkCIHvRLkGwyQaGcBFm61RW7SQBck9KepXpNE1UbgLqBDcMzGSV408FKgnYBApgCa9nVQDswJK1T9Zas/s320/SAM_0398.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy9ds2b8XSDWIhqTuZ9VlTm3vhwO7bpz9s-8cQlhQ9NElZxIrvhd5-690OhCQXQknRhd5r5tnDQsaajn6JfRtwLDeFiA9QoguYVczoGAUl55jDWHH9W2lT7zOY2fsQuyKRci6fI7u0Qdw/s1600/SAM_0404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy9ds2b8XSDWIhqTuZ9VlTm3vhwO7bpz9s-8cQlhQ9NElZxIrvhd5-690OhCQXQknRhd5r5tnDQsaajn6JfRtwLDeFiA9QoguYVczoGAUl55jDWHH9W2lT7zOY2fsQuyKRci6fI7u0Qdw/s320/SAM_0404.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj40piOeRjn1pGhn4VMrhcnRjIlPKvy0Xz2k5S3De846d2019UNC0NPFY9rqHA4AVpxUCa0jT99ADkF92k4r-h7eKVGprgFb4MdNxnQasuP7H9iof1-y9SGgFuQvAQFPN9JWWjo2rJ8Oew/s1600/SAM_0395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj40piOeRjn1pGhn4VMrhcnRjIlPKvy0Xz2k5S3De846d2019UNC0NPFY9rqHA4AVpxUCa0jT99ADkF92k4r-h7eKVGprgFb4MdNxnQasuP7H9iof1-y9SGgFuQvAQFPN9JWWjo2rJ8Oew/s320/SAM_0395.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
we got to do something really special. Our tour guide Juan has a friendship with a local indigenous family, and we were allowed to visit their mud hut home, which is called a "choza."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDB-W6GNcqploO99kxkoMb3kmNMNIbV5xqDn_WL_ivMMGjmMPjN4ZSb3lX-tcBlMUD-Maz5QgrYlNAyaHPsDQUqB-MSpqbNIQYW49PucIEWWIz1H32eZUouGh_qG-EFkT1GKLYbxaEstU/s1600/SAM_0387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDB-W6GNcqploO99kxkoMb3kmNMNIbV5xqDn_WL_ivMMGjmMPjN4ZSb3lX-tcBlMUD-Maz5QgrYlNAyaHPsDQUqB-MSpqbNIQYW49PucIEWWIz1H32eZUouGh_qG-EFkT1GKLYbxaEstU/s320/SAM_0387.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This igloo-shaped structure could not have been even 15' in diameter, and 12 people lived there. Pitch black inside and lit with a single candle, the primitive life we witnessed was amazing. Guinea pigs roam freely around the home and are held close for warmth at night (and occasionally eaten, of course).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2lfdwpBUbVxnGSabBJUqbNTmIGDMGGUtlSyYFEI8s9SKPbRb22TFTrBnlh4qDfy2bL7TJgLZ9w3j_tkEVpmCv7w8q_lAzhebVpvQ_2PWSm18Ilo0ah1cm35GhedNjUjuSYnxXESLFdoQ/s1600/SAM_0388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2lfdwpBUbVxnGSabBJUqbNTmIGDMGGUtlSyYFEI8s9SKPbRb22TFTrBnlh4qDfy2bL7TJgLZ9w3j_tkEVpmCv7w8q_lAzhebVpvQ_2PWSm18Ilo0ah1cm35GhedNjUjuSYnxXESLFdoQ/s320/SAM_0388.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This tiny space is the "kitchen."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_m-yPMl4f14yPcqCkcabzNdaHrx5jfm7y0oIKluUwRSSqjU09BfVoX3gJbzoTK-iDkFbk_FjMihDQk0EaQOpTWr7DHl0a4jaZpihqGPsQyqED1SUVNo69tOhD88_98e5e-w2lgiQt5nA/s1600/SAM_0389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_m-yPMl4f14yPcqCkcabzNdaHrx5jfm7y0oIKluUwRSSqjU09BfVoX3gJbzoTK-iDkFbk_FjMihDQk0EaQOpTWr7DHl0a4jaZpihqGPsQyqED1SUVNo69tOhD88_98e5e-w2lgiQt5nA/s320/SAM_0389.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The grandfather proudly showed us the device he uses to grind flour.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV7qP_sHUMg-AVQ-89igaVnsNqzIvyXnsffJUXTX2EetWpdm-1Qe84XWjYRrS8PSqKwD8rVCZUf88BxpcbqJQTLbxnpSpcvWAmg78Ww13kuonSdUcRSyjzTzpJ2PxO381sr0i_jgt3F60/s1600/SAM_0391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV7qP_sHUMg-AVQ-89igaVnsNqzIvyXnsffJUXTX2EetWpdm-1Qe84XWjYRrS8PSqKwD8rVCZUf88BxpcbqJQTLbxnpSpcvWAmg78Ww13kuonSdUcRSyjzTzpJ2PxO381sr0i_jgt3F60/s320/SAM_0391.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And family members were proud to pose outside before we left.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEEIeK-kVHI0v08ixLd-JXq6vIiptHVlXk5p4EQxIHjdGrGxyQSo3j8hjKBhVC3fU-2XJO0fV92ChV7RymsSsRGt6Rh1pPPlOZs-g1UzegB0AG6eFul9rBq0ASak52hrdertsQys1oLjI/s1600/SAM_0393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEEIeK-kVHI0v08ixLd-JXq6vIiptHVlXk5p4EQxIHjdGrGxyQSo3j8hjKBhVC3fU-2XJO0fV92ChV7RymsSsRGt6Rh1pPPlOZs-g1UzegB0AG6eFul9rBq0ASak52hrdertsQys1oLjI/s320/SAM_0393.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
We felt so honored to visit here because even most Ecuadorians will never have this experience. The happiness of the family in such crude surroundings was quite humbling.<br />
<br />
Then on to Quilotoa crater lake, once again surrounded by remarkable vistas, including White Canyon, a geological oddity.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQD3J3eg0zcxlsZ3TPnh9h7SR5YNuonBB8rYSRD1gEYPRJDzcZz5CjE-yDbyRb8IAUIXTUQREc2QFckbMzn1Y1u4Iv7Q_6c3VBnXQAGKi9g8-1CC4NNIQFOfh_vuwRnCLY_Oc7M4mqjm0/s1600/SAM_0394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQD3J3eg0zcxlsZ3TPnh9h7SR5YNuonBB8rYSRD1gEYPRJDzcZz5CjE-yDbyRb8IAUIXTUQREc2QFckbMzn1Y1u4Iv7Q_6c3VBnXQAGKi9g8-1CC4NNIQFOfh_vuwRnCLY_Oc7M4mqjm0/s320/SAM_0394.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEuiq25VginZN2jdtN5-pjb386SCnPm_P0DjIK1eljvIuRD6Ft2gg4itcCeIBj5aa8H0Orm89T6hXn_EABWJ26mBE9MdR4W3J3agRuVGa_hHMX7ruuETeDDkArcF-TI_BmxjLlgRpJ738/s1600/SAM_0405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEuiq25VginZN2jdtN5-pjb386SCnPm_P0DjIK1eljvIuRD6Ft2gg4itcCeIBj5aa8H0Orm89T6hXn_EABWJ26mBE9MdR4W3J3agRuVGa_hHMX7ruuETeDDkArcF-TI_BmxjLlgRpJ738/s320/SAM_0405.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5EAANYKnwDnMsEtVmDFKJmSWNshnzBO40XEfNBivnkypeb7wwGnEvXtiWVOGcNWPYoxNTE2dVLhoP0YND9FE9JnDrs095BYN7dNI0mm3DovirDN4fmklidal8RPIzv-3BdtWwuXauSks/s1600/SAM_0407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5EAANYKnwDnMsEtVmDFKJmSWNshnzBO40XEfNBivnkypeb7wwGnEvXtiWVOGcNWPYoxNTE2dVLhoP0YND9FE9JnDrs095BYN7dNI0mm3DovirDN4fmklidal8RPIzv-3BdtWwuXauSks/s320/SAM_0407.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Quilotoa is the westernmost volcano in the Ecuadorian Andes. The two mile wide lake was formed after an eruption 800 years ago.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkxYe2Ybxb3axQrWbUGa2bKJss7AR2lOtl3_dgTEixg6el810WcFR88EwDa6grg-4y3dIpUq_oaM7u1PesgSDKT8oS39u2lWxya5QSvk4_XO-ptHByGrY55VXS4mrZDRh2evZJO2x7m1k/s1600/SAM_0412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkxYe2Ybxb3axQrWbUGa2bKJss7AR2lOtl3_dgTEixg6el810WcFR88EwDa6grg-4y3dIpUq_oaM7u1PesgSDKT8oS39u2lWxya5QSvk4_XO-ptHByGrY55VXS4mrZDRh2evZJO2x7m1k/s320/SAM_0412.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
It was quite cold up there, and the descent into the canyon was steep and slippery because of the sandy soil. Still, we figured we wouldn't be back here anytime soon, so down we went.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdq_dt-8gq_xPqHoYEvgoScjbZuwrXBtiprjnpIiGjhNieT1bdfLfzssYWOvMoxBuYvW0DvYLp6KExhPE2pCCQpyNWC0D9r3fWgZTkMUaYLNe1dmFCVM48sj_o-YuRjWON6frowFTT4AA/s1600/SAM_0415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdq_dt-8gq_xPqHoYEvgoScjbZuwrXBtiprjnpIiGjhNieT1bdfLfzssYWOvMoxBuYvW0DvYLp6KExhPE2pCCQpyNWC0D9r3fWgZTkMUaYLNe1dmFCVM48sj_o-YuRjWON6frowFTT4AA/s320/SAM_0415.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><br />
We hiked down for about 30 minutes until the terrain became too challenging. Here's a video taken of our view (sorry about the wind noise):<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxIrIX3WAn-mL76LjZXeXo4huHGdWhdETUQUW4LxQ7-ZFYxn2JLty974GLlRhiSWvFsdiVRnwtUChH7AJfqQg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
<br />
After this remarkable excursion it was on to Quito, Ecuador's capitol and our final stop. Along the way we saw mighty Cotapaxi, the Mac Daddy volcano of the Andes.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwiMo6ZryCJpUX6axjjeavuGfKdrh3wiJ0QGhVhDwNYgt-YnQJeWfV2IyjGdLHBS_2HwsBbP8RbsNHNWvPuiQfoQJi_RWrlD2GfjvW0o_yVw7j_OtNuDfYSyzrChaFD58zOSO0Si8nNw/s1600/SAM_0360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwiMo6ZryCJpUX6axjjeavuGfKdrh3wiJ0QGhVhDwNYgt-YnQJeWfV2IyjGdLHBS_2HwsBbP8RbsNHNWvPuiQfoQJi_RWrlD2GfjvW0o_yVw7j_OtNuDfYSyzrChaFD58zOSO0Si8nNw/s320/SAM_0360.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> <br />
<br />
We took a night tour of Quito's historic district, then ended our journey visiting some stunning churches.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH-hC9MQX7QQwdiiaVjKQYDu4YVcukDXaW9Qsw_X9afs9OmQYGL0qsrtFV6fuZnf2PyeB9qnsSU-fOWYLOiM35jJAEsd406t39_b3a-9iuUk5AtchwiZ8ZN_R7dvoTEl0erBzYyE7Y308/s1600/SAM_0428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="180" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH-hC9MQX7QQwdiiaVjKQYDu4YVcukDXaW9Qsw_X9afs9OmQYGL0qsrtFV6fuZnf2PyeB9qnsSU-fOWYLOiM35jJAEsd406t39_b3a-9iuUk5AtchwiZ8ZN_R7dvoTEl0erBzYyE7Y308/s320/SAM_0428.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYtwd1UqVtG15YG24tq9fCeH_vhtymJ2VnzksNS9AdCgBFJ2DeAXS8jEaaS5lW5kuqIa8NTi30GqdPiqrHFyT1Vo2lgbMQjBFQ6dwhCOGCKKpWep75CbaAcUY4FrvxQODqb_NuJoBsrY0/s1600/SAM_0433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="180" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYtwd1UqVtG15YG24tq9fCeH_vhtymJ2VnzksNS9AdCgBFJ2DeAXS8jEaaS5lW5kuqIa8NTi30GqdPiqrHFyT1Vo2lgbMQjBFQ6dwhCOGCKKpWep75CbaAcUY4FrvxQODqb_NuJoBsrY0/s320/SAM_0433.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Think the Temple of la Compania de Jesus looks ornate on the outside? It is estimated the inside walls are adorned with up to 7 <i>tons</i> of gold!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl7WYn6iAM7eoVDD8qdQu5M4h2wERsafsVwRDp3VFSd5ATgdpMQOkjqWyaSo-QDujTA2ddySOCRau3qht9YIttUEWTXqXHGsYSrS6zQWyw_9S-MlChxveSNoayjPu_w720IC2Vz5ApJEI/s1600/SAM_0438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="180" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl7WYn6iAM7eoVDD8qdQu5M4h2wERsafsVwRDp3VFSd5ATgdpMQOkjqWyaSo-QDujTA2ddySOCRau3qht9YIttUEWTXqXHGsYSrS6zQWyw_9S-MlChxveSNoayjPu_w720IC2Vz5ApJEI/s320/SAM_0438.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4PROZjiSvjERCZkFIuTSmWi5Pp5k18sYol93uQz8O9Q6T_YmeRwkr06RnMV9moZflhvfYjDGNr19GUB_aPVfdAA2UmsCHtZ_RdE1YShlzxETxLh_sjGCHQZICcAMdo_nkrgR4gRXNb_w/s1600/SAM_0441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="180" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4PROZjiSvjERCZkFIuTSmWi5Pp5k18sYol93uQz8O9Q6T_YmeRwkr06RnMV9moZflhvfYjDGNr19GUB_aPVfdAA2UmsCHtZ_RdE1YShlzxETxLh_sjGCHQZICcAMdo_nkrgR4gRXNb_w/s320/SAM_0441.JPG" /></a></div><br />
We relaxed and reflected on the privilege of being in such a gorgeous country on our return drive to Cuenca. What an adventure!!Edd Statonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10087303161307567127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953635181263490215.post-62577089568182359092012-05-26T10:04:00.000-07:002012-05-26T10:04:06.242-07:00Avenue of the Volcanoes--Day TwoWe awoke to discover this lovely waterfall outside our terrace welcoming us through the morning mist.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvSs332JRTNcHvavL0TQQIkyydkkIqW7Jdm0S9GiIW82oF2gcghhFyIc4Gbt6KQXNoHPPQRyvAklVAS7-v6tS9O2ebskWDrbIsQPNeDFOuiCJBvTB7JH4vy2qezjQJdVXRG8bB6kiaopg/s1600/SAM_0303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvSs332JRTNcHvavL0TQQIkyydkkIqW7Jdm0S9GiIW82oF2gcghhFyIc4Gbt6KQXNoHPPQRyvAklVAS7-v6tS9O2ebskWDrbIsQPNeDFOuiCJBvTB7JH4vy2qezjQJdVXRG8bB6kiaopg/s320/SAM_0303.JPG" /></a></div><br />
This turned out to be a preview of the treats we had in store, because after an early breakfast we were off to see the Route of the Waterfalls. It's not hard to guess how this road got its name.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLjfSIL4Jr-3iEJ0IUcKAA4Ri4xgYnLtZwf8DdciYzCv2iuKx43AiiHR53W3m6xJJbTIlnJXmdE-BWOEZf0Nlh5Nd9n0rfr3h5Z1OtDPnnpYTOdRaV8WenuGy54KXWRR_a88woTs2fIro/s1600/SAM_0306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLjfSIL4Jr-3iEJ0IUcKAA4Ri4xgYnLtZwf8DdciYzCv2iuKx43AiiHR53W3m6xJJbTIlnJXmdE-BWOEZf0Nlh5Nd9n0rfr3h5Z1OtDPnnpYTOdRaV8WenuGy54KXWRR_a88woTs2fIro/s320/SAM_0306.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWl-aJJHJWsBuvmfoVsjWIUjhjT9m9zt97RpAocgKpbhLA6xUpkv00qCVDxlqbTJ5IKMbk5AvI2t0QC6Rn7KhOZ66ii8Sul8eojTeGgbzyjR9q30XzqCmB1KudLnXBtXXIQY31AeoncLk/s1600/SAM_0310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWl-aJJHJWsBuvmfoVsjWIUjhjT9m9zt97RpAocgKpbhLA6xUpkv00qCVDxlqbTJ5IKMbk5AvI2t0QC6Rn7KhOZ66ii8Sul8eojTeGgbzyjR9q30XzqCmB1KudLnXBtXXIQY31AeoncLk/s320/SAM_0310.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioLsRgE-ZvO3cMn-qhOXsXqJiZW-BkAA39ZPejeKkF4_42VDc8h3QDrWRWEfb04WYWSfdd1SBfHINPEjcplfmvRg1vz6DXo1PTGyXvluTcc_dofKnzAWJ-yWm79RadM8tyVCq95e1Uzu4/s1600/SAM_0311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioLsRgE-ZvO3cMn-qhOXsXqJiZW-BkAA39ZPejeKkF4_42VDc8h3QDrWRWEfb04WYWSfdd1SBfHINPEjcplfmvRg1vz6DXo1PTGyXvluTcc_dofKnzAWJ-yWm79RadM8tyVCq95e1Uzu4/s320/SAM_0311.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><br />
Our destination was the well-known Pailon del Diablo (Devil's Cauldron) waterfall, but on the way we noticed an awesome zipline adventure across a L-O-N-G and D-E-E-P river gorge. Next thing you know, much to the amazement of our guide, we're suited up and ready to rumble.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxvC86bcVlpBkvarbpbSM2ZUxMCrSJu6eSJJLFdHX_C-c4IMA5B-Thm4J22W9xBJIe6o66D_CQ0PzBKxAv7jeDXKc2PXIJrsY5M4INKWq7bSSNKWZAD8C4ooG61RESEKJilUQpgUg8NHI/s1600/SAM_0307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxvC86bcVlpBkvarbpbSM2ZUxMCrSJu6eSJJLFdHX_C-c4IMA5B-Thm4J22W9xBJIe6o66D_CQ0PzBKxAv7jeDXKc2PXIJrsY5M4INKWq7bSSNKWZAD8C4ooG61RESEKJilUQpgUg8NHI/s320/SAM_0307.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Here's a video of TerraDiversa's Cynthia riding across:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzSWMyyPSJ4BHHk9lmRBHJV_lDlSxWGHxRPkyNxTwFXMZEiWSasMnOXQOYHZ5sa8fSWArH4-SZArCmH-rogpg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
Once we got to our destination, we had to hike down, down, down to the bottom of the waterfall.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKIY3wo8ch_4-MHOdnemAQLbhOn1exST1abUTP_ja4GeC24BEqc8SCSgYzbdqmdazhE19pTyOvtLhxFhCGg1vYudwaaRPYIwhYqBM1F8UJdiN6vPriNWfEdYlypsPSnD_VDnD2v-Qh2s/s1600/SAM_0313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="180" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKIY3wo8ch_4-MHOdnemAQLbhOn1exST1abUTP_ja4GeC24BEqc8SCSgYzbdqmdazhE19pTyOvtLhxFhCGg1vYudwaaRPYIwhYqBM1F8UJdiN6vPriNWfEdYlypsPSnD_VDnD2v-Qh2s/s320/SAM_0313.JPG" /></a></div><br />
The Devil's Cauldron is one powerful force of nature.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPFhxU2bBZmpbpZCf7xVvinvV4bCHE6t7-67vAHHyErouTM11HmCLhCZ5Oc2ky7CRSuZEOH4LriGfobu1XcK5Q8HE2W-0eLbXNoWXQKHE4uup0haLkqV3sI6W1zhGOUTF2lO2rkGHhOjI/s1600/SAM_0320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPFhxU2bBZmpbpZCf7xVvinvV4bCHE6t7-67vAHHyErouTM11HmCLhCZ5Oc2ky7CRSuZEOH4LriGfobu1XcK5Q8HE2W-0eLbXNoWXQKHE4uup0haLkqV3sI6W1zhGOUTF2lO2rkGHhOjI/s320/SAM_0320.JPG" /></a></div><br />
After viewing the waterfall we enjoyed a delicious lunch in a beautiful setting.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinPrG_ODbBJCuqQZwKdchLiXdnNL17pOm3z-kIt7Gsrox2iUPwIo4XbFSDoVzse4ssWAhgkU389Hh4GD6tdofW2W9sg1wLubqrnkVcNSy1Cs9I8wkXgQasIUAte93aRaPgh7Ha57YShzQ/s1600/SAM_0331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="180" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinPrG_ODbBJCuqQZwKdchLiXdnNL17pOm3z-kIt7Gsrox2iUPwIo4XbFSDoVzse4ssWAhgkU389Hh4GD6tdofW2W9sg1wLubqrnkVcNSy1Cs9I8wkXgQasIUAte93aRaPgh7Ha57YShzQ/s320/SAM_0331.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1Y-O6tfrW5H4CqhJG425cZMndsmAy70Cn2KwnZE6-B4DoazypKxsc2Nfe9BPvdBnYFXr6h7mZIKsQtk3PR_xQzFxZeGddriwJzs0jQeUff8xTNTvDvo1i2-uUR-J6XhgL0L43JVxUIw/s1600/SAM_0330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1Y-O6tfrW5H4CqhJG425cZMndsmAy70Cn2KwnZE6-B4DoazypKxsc2Nfe9BPvdBnYFXr6h7mZIKsQtk3PR_xQzFxZeGddriwJzs0jQeUff8xTNTvDvo1i2-uUR-J6XhgL0L43JVxUIw/s320/SAM_0330.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Good thing we did. The hike back sure seemed longer than the one going down. Here's a look back at the place we ate lunch.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-PRVqGYNEZ1zGful2PWDSBoN3ruhlCFWmS8rpOJorcHjPc3kYzJKXoWzE3ImtLqCWE1FiwU44PYhx4EZcRPX2ydaZuq_qFtbGmSif08s-xYc_3ZZa4Nm9P1dRJ-AQctfd_DF4n7ikcg/s1600/SAM_0333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-PRVqGYNEZ1zGful2PWDSBoN3ruhlCFWmS8rpOJorcHjPc3kYzJKXoWzE3ImtLqCWE1FiwU44PYhx4EZcRPX2ydaZuq_qFtbGmSif08s-xYc_3ZZa4Nm9P1dRJ-AQctfd_DF4n7ikcg/s320/SAM_0333.JPG" /></a></div><br />
We spent the afternoon exploring Banos, the adventure capital of Ecuador.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim1wilvrgSO46F0KZwpW8NSduIWSvI2hnRdOy7SKt0Isd0JxcsTUXAWnTUbuvz3Wp0Lv3002q2BCYzxtlRK8l-_I3oO3S_qyDwJz9LdXQYZkn5j4rMF0qmyV_RR1qmAPhmmyKxWKfAlkQ/s1600/SAM_0339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="180" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim1wilvrgSO46F0KZwpW8NSduIWSvI2hnRdOy7SKt0Isd0JxcsTUXAWnTUbuvz3Wp0Lv3002q2BCYzxtlRK8l-_I3oO3S_qyDwJz9LdXQYZkn5j4rMF0qmyV_RR1qmAPhmmyKxWKfAlkQ/s320/SAM_0339.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxCii9DRs6GmbOMMmEb7kujSMvsV6OBz0KNj43Tj4F4XngvPc4iqUIuK_SxbjVf1wLb2_EAqOKEorj-ytsszadoxw-ob2p190VBdjSMeTSw6Wq3GQgeNwZe42DAwR_lvXhIYmmbrRXLE/s1600/SAM_0341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="180" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxCii9DRs6GmbOMMmEb7kujSMvsV6OBz0KNj43Tj4F4XngvPc4iqUIuK_SxbjVf1wLb2_EAqOKEorj-ytsszadoxw-ob2p190VBdjSMeTSw6Wq3GQgeNwZe42DAwR_lvXhIYmmbrRXLE/s320/SAM_0341.JPG" /></a></div><br />
With activities like canyoning, white water rafting, horseback riding, ATV'ing, and jungle tours, as well as more relaxing thermal pools and spa treatments, this town is a destination all to itself. It's definitely worth a return visit for more fun!<br />
<br />
Different towns in Ecuador are known for specific things. Banos, in addition to being an adventure center, is also renowned for its taffy. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht1OougQ4UdvWZN5b-8t8M-NV4Cio93O6TKExP4FILtu1lLkjm3a4p_oKEl-dHY1xKi7qx45t_WLOB1mXLG00ukvc8GeKJrn2DuqbjWuGAlPMn7_zNf8xFoHHUWO9Llztk3rFxwMKRRlk/s1600/SAM_0349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="180" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht1OougQ4UdvWZN5b-8t8M-NV4Cio93O6TKExP4FILtu1lLkjm3a4p_oKEl-dHY1xKi7qx45t_WLOB1mXLG00ukvc8GeKJrn2DuqbjWuGAlPMn7_zNf8xFoHHUWO9Llztk3rFxwMKRRlk/s320/SAM_0349.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Another oddity like this was awaiting us in Pelileo, our next stop. On the way we saw Tungurahua, an active volcano outside Banos.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdpMW6X3YZMkcSa1jFIW4xbgG3WHM_Bfa5SQptmi_kvzRlbKShi20lGKrCYbKEpy3ZT1zD2-uRkQ6ggmAOSwzGu0uu2VYOjVKXyekhrj3Afggh4c7gHZM3QVZrscu27M_3buDTYJ2l1vU/s1600/SAM_0354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="180" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdpMW6X3YZMkcSa1jFIW4xbgG3WHM_Bfa5SQptmi_kvzRlbKShi20lGKrCYbKEpy3ZT1zD2-uRkQ6ggmAOSwzGu0uu2VYOjVKXyekhrj3Afggh4c7gHZM3QVZrscu27M_3buDTYJ2l1vU/s320/SAM_0354.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Pelileo is the "blue jean capital of Ecuador." <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS0Nb2SL93Ud1pXkKBweAKWjlQK7-4v0GyXnVQD2gxHfWvQoacGhSo1S8g1biFZ3zxYKlGmtC8QP5CbKgjViLa6JZI6-VmqL8YBK3gLV2MNTKp4IS39NsoRtviOjbpbG1jwp6TkZp0HXk/s1600/SAM_0357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="180" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS0Nb2SL93Ud1pXkKBweAKWjlQK7-4v0GyXnVQD2gxHfWvQoacGhSo1S8g1biFZ3zxYKlGmtC8QP5CbKgjViLa6JZI6-VmqL8YBK3gLV2MNTKp4IS39NsoRtviOjbpbG1jwp6TkZp0HXk/s320/SAM_0357.JPG" /></a></div><br />
People come from all over the country to shop at the dozens of stores here. Could these possibly fit anyone you know?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUQcpEvgcwuOyeiw-6Dm_B6rNspf6fP-eZqhbodgZT5ZF3XDEN_gCk4IjsyI8-w0v4tXPEqqDGsXWoETsgpuJM0GmkrU2MXLYSPF7vehG9b4CSslA-8cDq2J19j7sEMdX8g4UtJmpiuA/s1600/SAM_0355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="180" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUQcpEvgcwuOyeiw-6Dm_B6rNspf6fP-eZqhbodgZT5ZF3XDEN_gCk4IjsyI8-w0v4tXPEqqDGsXWoETsgpuJM0GmkrU2MXLYSPF7vehG9b4CSslA-8cDq2J19j7sEMdX8g4UtJmpiuA/s320/SAM_0355.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Before leaving we were able to capture a pic of the rarely photographed "Tomb of the Unknown Mannequin."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMT3CQuJV_gf4oV_uoxYaGVb7H8ZwtGfluiPb8tSHys5_8b1I_2ggAkRzYtJE-VXBGFCYqQQI-2vc4B9oINZEi8bcFSFwPMw4qlGJVxvQhcz7tvllkYY35BGPKwaQo3qNUd_hZhbgPFg/s1600/SAM_0358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="180" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMT3CQuJV_gf4oV_uoxYaGVb7H8ZwtGfluiPb8tSHys5_8b1I_2ggAkRzYtJE-VXBGFCYqQQI-2vc4B9oINZEi8bcFSFwPMw4qlGJVxvQhcz7tvllkYY35BGPKwaQo3qNUd_hZhbgPFg/s320/SAM_0358.JPG" /></a></div><br />
We rolled into Salcedo late and checked into a wonderful, quirky hacienda. Pics of that in the next blog as well as a visit to a very unusual lake and mighty Cotopaxi volcano.Edd Statonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10087303161307567127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953635181263490215.post-23286289770561682262012-05-22T12:09:00.000-07:002012-05-22T12:09:06.067-07:00Avenue of the Volcanoes Tour--Day OneGet ready for a visual feast as we share with you a recap of TerraDiversa's "Avenue of the Volcanoes" tour enjoyed last week by nine adventurers. Ecuador is such an amazingly gorgeous country, and this trip is an absolute "must do" for visitors with sufficient time and <i>all</i> residents. So much was seen and done during the four day trip that we need to break the journey down into separate days to properly present the experience.<br />
<br />
After an early morning pickup by a roomy and comfortable Mercedes scenic van we were off to ride the Devil's Nose train in Alausi. Shortly out of Cuenca the cameras came out as we were treated to beautiful countryside vistas.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqi3CXSMy7LiK0RWHfR3xKZngQkCU0L7-347RK_zwyen1zdycSrWOLDlPCmLl7I4UpQalOrykgIxJQdYA0_JZWjUUUDKw62y0gn4oloS2RgZnu0jJEFYzhEHXJRFV-1MM7kZb5bdqpRg/s1600/SAM_0223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="180" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqi3CXSMy7LiK0RWHfR3xKZngQkCU0L7-347RK_zwyen1zdycSrWOLDlPCmLl7I4UpQalOrykgIxJQdYA0_JZWjUUUDKw62y0gn4oloS2RgZnu0jJEFYzhEHXJRFV-1MM7kZb5bdqpRg/s320/SAM_0223.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLXnwDPZX5qwBzr2n1ThS4Wu6HL7ZAejjpHQ9iTXeavL0HhlSO7QrF8xZkC-ewaB9yXIU_-nhNqp5LWLdO1PsAD5oqQxK0M3CFGpAB5U2g3iRp1GRHurvxgPnibq3ZPmRsUD2FfoQJDAE/s1600/SAM_0224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="180" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLXnwDPZX5qwBzr2n1ThS4Wu6HL7ZAejjpHQ9iTXeavL0HhlSO7QrF8xZkC-ewaB9yXIU_-nhNqp5LWLdO1PsAD5oqQxK0M3CFGpAB5U2g3iRp1GRHurvxgPnibq3ZPmRsUD2FfoQJDAE/s320/SAM_0224.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Our talented guide, Juan Munoz, shared interesting information along the way and throughout our excursion.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVwoXaFWBrcYy3DIYWRHRTz2Al8tvLKo4AwMrYImuYlyw59kGbpo9McofjVyZnJDeInDwBBA9pHR6ynfsh0UkP2DskC4WbRUdr6ORt25VCacH_iKdyK5JppgU7zOjzzCQhLLdBmhg1WE/s1600/SAM_0243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="180" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVwoXaFWBrcYy3DIYWRHRTz2Al8tvLKo4AwMrYImuYlyw59kGbpo9McofjVyZnJDeInDwBBA9pHR6ynfsh0UkP2DskC4WbRUdr6ORt25VCacH_iKdyK5JppgU7zOjzzCQhLLdBmhg1WE/s320/SAM_0243.JPG" /></a></div><br />
It cannot be emphasized enough how much enrichment a qualified guide adds to a trip like this. To learn along the way the history, geology, flora and fauna, and culture of the different regions adds immeasurably to one's experience.<br />
<br />
The Devil's Nose train is one of the great railway engineering feats of the late 19th century. Originally part of the rail system connecting Guayaquil with the Andean highlands, an almost vertical gain in altitude at the section known as Nariz del Diablo (Devil's Nose)stalled construction for years. Finally a design was created using a series of switchbacks to traverse the difficult terrain.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPFi5mC3fLMLgAUs9Z1M2613VgYkIB-Nc2T4iWKEDDmaZqveB4320Tf2QBuGrHPJm2tMBwMPxK2Yd2uXxSSQrMbgN2ka0hbyGhy_dP0DnmspntIibODnEvwoIMD3jrTsui5Uz9ogsGd8hN/s1600/SAM_0236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="180" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPFi5mC3fLMLgAUs9Z1M2613VgYkIB-Nc2T4iWKEDDmaZqveB4320Tf2QBuGrHPJm2tMBwMPxK2Yd2uXxSSQrMbgN2ka0hbyGhy_dP0DnmspntIibODnEvwoIMD3jrTsui5Uz9ogsGd8hN/s320/SAM_0236.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLWFE-ntOYUUMjiCWszZLjNYdcIk9N1QXu-euNa7gKAC8NFDFfYDMBd08BMrK1rJj-ce5EAs0AFPkuSEhinS7gk95cPJoCa1-O6vCYZcMbVatGQNx_t6CwbWDmpsOaAIfo8WT908lMS78/s1600/SAM_0270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLWFE-ntOYUUMjiCWszZLjNYdcIk9N1QXu-euNa7gKAC8NFDFfYDMBd08BMrK1rJj-ce5EAs0AFPkuSEhinS7gk95cPJoCa1-O6vCYZcMbVatGQNx_t6CwbWDmpsOaAIfo8WT908lMS78/s320/SAM_0270.JPG" /></a></div><br />
We were especially fortunate because the tracks had very recently been upgraded and a brand new, comfortable train put into service.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQaqxhjK2636NOcPe5vOjQrPH2qdEr2IijSPn7r7MyLgrISaUe-QLav2IcTOdtJhPxTG_u-tF0i20aqapr-28qd4EG_vt-WoHAdzejGXnYhhdord56-araZVGfAFZfziDn07qXi7DOUNo/s1600/SAM_0240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQaqxhjK2636NOcPe5vOjQrPH2qdEr2IijSPn7r7MyLgrISaUe-QLav2IcTOdtJhPxTG_u-tF0i20aqapr-28qd4EG_vt-WoHAdzejGXnYhhdord56-araZVGfAFZfziDn07qXi7DOUNo/s320/SAM_0240.JPG" /></a></div><br />
During the two hour ride once again we gazed out at remarkably exquisite landscapes.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCvgPCYtYeafFQ6yVjuLiqb7nraHEjW2Q6Hwtt4w6VBLVUgxZ3WaijqpAAp4tJdAQ_WbevzhyOBsLHmCDngZCLUPUMGDXNjqvBtKFylXET26Ntefbpk04o0kY7lKKRIfn_1eIpqbRLHFs/s1600/SAM_0263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="180" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCvgPCYtYeafFQ6yVjuLiqb7nraHEjW2Q6Hwtt4w6VBLVUgxZ3WaijqpAAp4tJdAQ_WbevzhyOBsLHmCDngZCLUPUMGDXNjqvBtKFylXET26Ntefbpk04o0kY7lKKRIfn_1eIpqbRLHFs/s320/SAM_0263.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjADwU4cj3FAsPMTasKuSXVZCnIFUEsewmxxzu9szQGkd_CB3F9LIDYQjagkgExPvq_gvuGS5f50upTLGzt7boJ3wwLJbPjOrFRDnYWzxo0g62WnhiNPLhagSSbkXtjy5hP59LBoZf06G4/s1600/SAM_0260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="180" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjADwU4cj3FAsPMTasKuSXVZCnIFUEsewmxxzu9szQGkd_CB3F9LIDYQjagkgExPvq_gvuGS5f50upTLGzt7boJ3wwLJbPjOrFRDnYWzxo0g62WnhiNPLhagSSbkXtjy5hP59LBoZf06G4/s320/SAM_0260.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgL_bgSyZ3TR8d255GT-30NzMjK4yzosqyK4zVMM7cCrGKBcYV3vZzkDGrfUGlwiD7-cBIiwIDZsD2MAz-ncxpucxzSdKFDUGwIzrf2OtEp1Svkgt8C9Ce4cXJEsnDVAaCV8kv-lly_L4/s1600/SAM_0245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="180" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgL_bgSyZ3TR8d255GT-30NzMjK4yzosqyK4zVMM7cCrGKBcYV3vZzkDGrfUGlwiD7-cBIiwIDZsD2MAz-ncxpucxzSdKFDUGwIzrf2OtEp1Svkgt8C9Ce4cXJEsnDVAaCV8kv-lly_L4/s320/SAM_0245.JPG" /></a></div><br />
From Alausi we went through more amazing countryside,<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOPcHikl6s1Frv4JsT_Y-y4GGejNEskZsG7mNw3xxnA82s3EcbV8ClA6Ws1HGhp89WV9CKo5i6LyMvcMifnSaPgs3cLcp8KwBkjBytECYi1MNfMF6nIXKyjfOshCz5kn0A4dgzC6v08g/s1600/SAM_0277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="180" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOPcHikl6s1Frv4JsT_Y-y4GGejNEskZsG7mNw3xxnA82s3EcbV8ClA6Ws1HGhp89WV9CKo5i6LyMvcMifnSaPgs3cLcp8KwBkjBytECYi1MNfMF6nIXKyjfOshCz5kn0A4dgzC6v08g/s320/SAM_0277.JPG" /></a></div><br />
(This is quinoa, a high protein grain that grows best at high altitude)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTuMMq_dA5i5tlKqs506gvIaYeYC0v-CjE86QhFWWz7VOSEWVfYLw_n_gLC2yrxaubqQY88A4W8UsXey1wE-WfpSRF173t9rSvYh_Yc_ON0uMmOinHerzWDEXzLAcdSIQRVALt6K_ilw0/s1600/SAM_0279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="180" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTuMMq_dA5i5tlKqs506gvIaYeYC0v-CjE86QhFWWz7VOSEWVfYLw_n_gLC2yrxaubqQY88A4W8UsXey1wE-WfpSRF173t9rSvYh_Yc_ON0uMmOinHerzWDEXzLAcdSIQRVALt6K_ilw0/s320/SAM_0279.JPG" /></a></div><br />
stopping to see the first church built in Ecuador in 1534--only 42 years after Columbus set foot in the Americas. Amazing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh06GwTAt-DgEeLgOKpYu-sV7Gg7R6t1G1OdK1g6AfnzQ-qnAMsaJyW0ZN3TqevvaaI3Av2EDiS7ovLq5gI6h6jYb-kSSN3t_-6HFACFZ7MhlBXTbB-fBuzkyltW96Xgh2csShHerShQOU/s1600/SAM_0281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="180" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh06GwTAt-DgEeLgOKpYu-sV7Gg7R6t1G1OdK1g6AfnzQ-qnAMsaJyW0ZN3TqevvaaI3Av2EDiS7ovLq5gI6h6jYb-kSSN3t_-6HFACFZ7MhlBXTbB-fBuzkyltW96Xgh2csShHerShQOU/s320/SAM_0281.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Then it was up, up, up to almost 21,000 feet to view the mighty El Chimborazo mountain and its breathtaking glaciers.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNizDUeyolL9jBPYYslR8BxU34kSQrzOI5vAkHUjM-RmUq8Nv4vw5hlM2Wj7YlXO-Azov0ajzwBbFRB1RXMxJJ4G1yiJHXDOOT2LX1GF2Ye9MHeuT3BaE5iEUqGtO9e8j8vvyYGWTrg2U/s1600/SAM_0294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="180" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNizDUeyolL9jBPYYslR8BxU34kSQrzOI5vAkHUjM-RmUq8Nv4vw5hlM2Wj7YlXO-Azov0ajzwBbFRB1RXMxJJ4G1yiJHXDOOT2LX1GF2Ye9MHeuT3BaE5iEUqGtO9e8j8vvyYGWTrg2U/s320/SAM_0294.JPG" /></a></div><br />
After a l-o-n-g day we rolled into Banos, the adventure capital of Ecuador, for some much needed R&R that evening.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz2JBTLuEKdqpejXMUltJv84XLceCeN3c_WflPY2rjNHTna4x4CU6fFHMMgnXECsf8nENS9ehsZfEj-GFZwBd6Ianw5AzoUVyeA_G5MbZdYuix6sQRANipspf6wKdVK63oqQr53s0tJjM/s1600/SAM_0336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz2JBTLuEKdqpejXMUltJv84XLceCeN3c_WflPY2rjNHTna4x4CU6fFHMMgnXECsf8nENS9ehsZfEj-GFZwBd6Ianw5AzoUVyeA_G5MbZdYuix6sQRANipspf6wKdVK63oqQr53s0tJjM/s320/SAM_0336.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Tomorrow: are you ready for some ziplining?<br />
<br />
<br />Edd Statonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10087303161307567127noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953635181263490215.post-797814425863786942012-05-02T15:09:00.001-07:002012-05-02T15:09:48.775-07:00New Branded Merchandise & Nutritional SnacksCuenca isn't a real "touristy" city. As a result we don't have T shirt shops or many places to buy nice souvenirs. But visitors like to take back keepsakes to remind them of their travels.<br />
<br />
TerraDiversa has introduced a line of branded merchandise that is both practical and easy to pack into your suitcases. It's autumn here now and in the mornings and evenings you can feel a chill in the air. We've designed warm, attractive vests perfect for your trip to the high elevation Cajas mountains or wearing around town. These were produced exclusively for us right here in Cuenca. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVmFvo6mpJ45wJ73X5AQEt5r6gS2lbLUIO0B-NthylJ_9MutAtsSrQAN6BQb0R0hzI4fTwHxd7y1oaB26IWmEbdOrDJ6ohD13pCkFJCT-R1zDtpJCJbWeVQhVESiyE8NoHriLePN9D-nGR/s1600/2012.04.27-002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVmFvo6mpJ45wJ73X5AQEt5r6gS2lbLUIO0B-NthylJ_9MutAtsSrQAN6BQb0R0hzI4fTwHxd7y1oaB26IWmEbdOrDJ6ohD13pCkFJCT-R1zDtpJCJbWeVQhVESiyE8NoHriLePN9D-nGR/s320/2012.04.27-002.jpg" /></a></div><br />
At the equator it's practical to always wear a hat. Our baseball caps are a great way to keep the intense sun away.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAU6Jf1dG1H1lSRkAmvDOL7Q49MGF6zjXZuByet5wA7N4qIeT3iUWpQIMpTuYJEq1MwFiUlmUxj31TGOUy1w6N2Dsnbv7nqLw8uqNywh0_dq5HWnAGpiC6izcz-sdC2OIiRvX50-75gBjs/s1600/2012.05.02-004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="180" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAU6Jf1dG1H1lSRkAmvDOL7Q49MGF6zjXZuByet5wA7N4qIeT3iUWpQIMpTuYJEq1MwFiUlmUxj31TGOUy1w6N2Dsnbv7nqLw8uqNywh0_dq5HWnAGpiC6izcz-sdC2OIiRvX50-75gBjs/s320/2012.05.02-004.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9uIK32HFXpqOJaA_rzF8qhGwsHK_cJ-T428cC6rPXKjtvBi8btPR0A682bL0KZEJH9e7iIHz0LuY38ZLHZTjRV-VxgEPCdGK44A2G3XAr_EIjUU48J_0kxl5mZFwEM2McM-MbeNEmGm5b/s1600/2012.05.02-003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="180" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9uIK32HFXpqOJaA_rzF8qhGwsHK_cJ-T428cC6rPXKjtvBi8btPR0A682bL0KZEJH9e7iIHz0LuY38ZLHZTjRV-VxgEPCdGK44A2G3XAr_EIjUU48J_0kxl5mZFwEM2McM-MbeNEmGm5b/s320/2012.05.02-003.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2WF5H6N0Y57N_XfXtQMhSxqh25zJYSUWDmktvHLPvrQVmKwFaxj9-84t4hZmgAH2tvXDssRRLjwqB5B2C50hQpizuLYEkzWq4BlNperkA1KLYEtelcT1PsrKtDpcy0PjtFfRbTjCpW52O/s1600/2012.05.02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="180" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2WF5H6N0Y57N_XfXtQMhSxqh25zJYSUWDmktvHLPvrQVmKwFaxj9-84t4hZmgAH2tvXDssRRLjwqB5B2C50hQpizuLYEkzWq4BlNperkA1KLYEtelcT1PsrKtDpcy0PjtFfRbTjCpW52O/s320/2012.05.02.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
You never go outside here without an umbrella because there's always a good chance of rain. Many of the umbrellas sold by street vendors are of very poor quality and fall apart with the first gust of wind. Our logo'd umbrellas are as sturdy as they are handsome.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfjwVFF_2S7tOfBimmQCJhKzZNXmgOt4MS_uEsgp31UyEj_OSYFxk9n-ldihFzQeIDQW7MdhKdaDj2TGFGu98I6_2VDf_WabbFjKLS4UhfQYAvDBybGCZbffq7X8Lun_OVErZJiXEDZun8/s1600/2012.05.02-005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="180" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfjwVFF_2S7tOfBimmQCJhKzZNXmgOt4MS_uEsgp31UyEj_OSYFxk9n-ldihFzQeIDQW7MdhKdaDj2TGFGu98I6_2VDf_WabbFjKLS4UhfQYAvDBybGCZbffq7X8Lun_OVErZJiXEDZun8/s320/2012.05.02-005.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhatCzlDe5LN_adzCBQX2H6Tqrofd80bhgyzN26GCgxPE9h0SjYxPGC7oFdRB1qgxyBpaRl5aPD90PG75y42ODpmVGIKo6xn8_2VqT9fyGf3TMXDnB4uw4kdKqasY-i2j7-0jsLoLSL7z2I/s1600/2012.05.02-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="180" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhatCzlDe5LN_adzCBQX2H6Tqrofd80bhgyzN26GCgxPE9h0SjYxPGC7oFdRB1qgxyBpaRl5aPD90PG75y42ODpmVGIKo6xn8_2VqT9fyGf3TMXDnB4uw4kdKqasY-i2j7-0jsLoLSL7z2I/s320/2012.05.02-001.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
On any excursion it's smart to take along some high quality nutrition and water instead of chips or cookies and a soda. TerraDiversa is now offering two new nutritional snacks for our travelers. We are the exclusive distributor of three varieties of Clif bars, an organic energy bar from one of the leading US brands. Also available are snack packs of organic dried fruits from right here in Ecuador. Bottled water is always on hand as well.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZP9xB_Em9OClq-OQS4vo8wjiVf7ciyG5zZJNlMab5GQqRJGbiMhEmfy_gqMCmSASfRdFA-bzamqJtjPNsjvHF3HKLOBm7E2Q4bMB3a_wkl4glttO7wYt3a9_WtvCkyp1_T9KBjWY_u6F9/s1600/2012.05.02-002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="180" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZP9xB_Em9OClq-OQS4vo8wjiVf7ciyG5zZJNlMab5GQqRJGbiMhEmfy_gqMCmSASfRdFA-bzamqJtjPNsjvHF3HKLOBm7E2Q4bMB3a_wkl4glttO7wYt3a9_WtvCkyp1_T9KBjWY_u6F9/s320/2012.05.02-002.jpg" /></a></div><br />
We invite you to stop by our office at Calle Larga 8-41 y Luis Cordero to check out all our new merchandise. Our apparel will make your visit here more comfortable and you'll have some great souvenirs to take home!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Edd Statonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10087303161307567127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953635181263490215.post-13779551280251879642012-04-29T06:23:00.002-07:002012-04-29T06:23:36.541-07:00Avenue of the Volcanoes TourOn May 14-17 TerraDiversa is co-sponsoring with GringoTree, a local online bulletin board, an exciting multi-day trip called the Avenue of the Volcanoes. This is an opportunity to experience some of Ecuador´s most incredible natural wonders: Waterfalls, glaciers, volcanoes, crater lakes and breath-taking scenery. It will be a trip you will never forget. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyRjjEuLQ4Rn6F7FopKc4nOlJje7XVsG5N5F0mChbZ3Y1PTxQsgviM7FYet9e0P_mc70tDe3e5Ia3s2yEafG4x1_akIOnUTahwr3JRLZrrYIYWdwzTY2AjHZXoesXMTgzlfV9mn4xH9OJj/s1600/Cotopaxi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="140" width="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyRjjEuLQ4Rn6F7FopKc4nOlJje7XVsG5N5F0mChbZ3Y1PTxQsgviM7FYet9e0P_mc70tDe3e5Ia3s2yEafG4x1_akIOnUTahwr3JRLZrrYIYWdwzTY2AjHZXoesXMTgzlfV9mn4xH9OJj/s320/Cotopaxi.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Here's the itinerary:<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Day 1: Cuenca - Devil's Nose Train, Chimborazo, Baños de Ambato</b> <br />
Our journey begins by driving from Cuenca to Alausi, where we will ride atop the famous Devil's Nose train. After lunch in town we proceed up into the Andes to enjoy some of the most spectacular scenery in all of Ecuador. The highlight, at almost 21,000 feet, is El Chimborazo Mountain and its breathtaking glaciers. We then travel on for overnight accommodation in Baños de Ambato. (Lunch included)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSTSqBUUmvNIM4_eukzFrWDLrbKUsCgUWuXm-vdnuyN-MWg4Xk7PH4wNplioWkNw0qK1gr_wHklG_0lDtnDIw_haXTG-Q-c-wxeWBFSWlx4_yWyxDAlAjTaJaENBzV7YIj0j4q4iLdFvRU/s1600/devil-nose-train-140x140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="140" width="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSTSqBUUmvNIM4_eukzFrWDLrbKUsCgUWuXm-vdnuyN-MWg4Xk7PH4wNplioWkNw0qK1gr_wHklG_0lDtnDIw_haXTG-Q-c-wxeWBFSWlx4_yWyxDAlAjTaJaENBzV7YIj0j4q4iLdFvRU/s320/devil-nose-train-140x140.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<b>Day 2: Baños - The Route of the Waterfalls</b><br />
During the morning ride we enjoy beautiful tropical forests and visit Ecopark Monte Selva. We continue on to the village of Rio Verde and take a moderate hike down to the well-known Pailon Del Diablo waterfall. (Optional free morning to explore Banos on your own if you choose). After lunch in Baños we stop at the Salasaca Indian community (a mini-Otavalo) before arriving in Lasso where we stay overnight in a beautiful colonial hacienda. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYRXnA3VzlDb77nD2BnrHNvks83XLP8YpVylJ79LSgSfvv2d_5OFDAz7BgZX3uoU7QB-DBkuCIfRENOucOgxn1NYPEQUiRqdk4nIrZCefTupAjVkP1FeVYzJCc6tsoRMt0getWl-yjPIsK/s1600/avenue-of-the-volcanoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="101" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYRXnA3VzlDb77nD2BnrHNvks83XLP8YpVylJ79LSgSfvv2d_5OFDAz7BgZX3uoU7QB-DBkuCIfRENOucOgxn1NYPEQUiRqdk4nIrZCefTupAjVkP1FeVYzJCc6tsoRMt0getWl-yjPIsK/s320/avenue-of-the-volcanoes.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<b>Day 3: Quilotoa, Quito</b><br />
On the way from Lasso to Quilotoa, we will witness some large fertile areas cultivated by locals. We pass Zumbahua, an Indian community famous for the colorful Tigua paintings, located along the border of Quilotoa crater. We go into the crater to witness the color changing of the crater sulfur lake, from deep blue, to light blue, green and turquoise. Afterwards we have the option of ascending to the top on mules. After lunch we continue to Quito for overnight, enjoying some of the most amazing views of the "Avenue of the Volcanoes". (Breakfast and lunch included)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3-qSAJQIiSZduuv9VZIpp35LE4KYiXP4HntfDBMTih7dqugPSuv7ENI_MG9Ir2feGfxAY-_DzrmGMmMiyzePayREWyfMZqXA4q0T9N481B_BRiYtpeWw-YQOYdP4L3CSavReeNY4QjCWU/s1600/cotopaxi-quilotoa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="101" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3-qSAJQIiSZduuv9VZIpp35LE4KYiXP4HntfDBMTih7dqugPSuv7ENI_MG9Ir2feGfxAY-_DzrmGMmMiyzePayREWyfMZqXA4q0T9N481B_BRiYtpeWw-YQOYdP4L3CSavReeNY4QjCWU/s320/cotopaxi-quilotoa.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<b>Day 4: AM: City tour of Quito</b><br />
Quito's colonial quarter, the largest and best preserved of South America, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will take a walking tour to the main attractions such as: Independence Plaza, Metropolitan Cathedral, Presidential Palace, Municipal Building, Archbishop's Palace, Temple of La Compañia de Jesus and its gilded interior, Monastery of San Francisco, one of the great religious buildings of the New World. This will conclude our excursion. Afterwards, travelers will have the options of : 1) returning to Cuenca in the van, arriving around 8 p.m.; 2) flying back to Cuenca (additional charge), or 3) extending their journey with excursions to Otavalo, Mindo, the Amazon, horseback riding, rafting, and other adventures (to be arranged by TerraDiversa). (Breakfast included)<br />
<br />
<br />
Price per person: $429 (including return to Cuenca in the van)<br />
<br />
For additional tour information and for reservations and payment instructions, go by the TerraDiversa office at Calle Larga 8-41 y Cordero, call Flavia at 09 920 4832 or email sales1<br />
<br />
@terradiversa.com.<br />
<br />
<br />Edd Statonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10087303161307567127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953635181263490215.post-63560598756653873472012-04-15T10:14:00.018-07:002012-04-15T11:27:44.172-07:00How to Get to CuencaMore and more people are interested in visiting beautiful Cuenca but are unsure of the best way to get here. Cuenca does not have an international airport, so you must enter Ecuador either in Quito or Guayaquil and then continue on to reach our city. There are optional ways from each place to arrive in Cuenca—read on and decide which is best for you.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-IlY4LO2pzHmtUaWSZoNvKCk5WeoQPkgU9BZdq3l68AQsLpGvWZDC4xCNm1uaJsLOi7Y9l5iz3EZOrtmVY9hWvsfu_prVgd9hi5okydN5FahCekbSLBfkeR3tULIXxML9TZab_pPx9mNY/s1600/IMG_1857.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 181px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-IlY4LO2pzHmtUaWSZoNvKCk5WeoQPkgU9BZdq3l68AQsLpGvWZDC4xCNm1uaJsLOi7Y9l5iz3EZOrtmVY9hWvsfu_prVgd9hi5okydN5FahCekbSLBfkeR3tULIXxML9TZab_pPx9mNY/s320/IMG_1857.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_573167910430787http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif0386" /></a><br /><br />Flights most often land in Quito too late to make connections that same day. Therefore it is necessary to stay overnight before resuming travel. TerraDiversa recommends planning your journey so that you remain in the area to enjoy this UNESCO World Heritage city and the many nearby attractions such as bird watching, adventure travel, and world famous indigenous markets. Check out our <a href="http://www.terradiversa.com">website</a> for all your options.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl0YFnlDQe5aQVuvknNkIkx7hjxXUNTNCIHYPlOBQYxxq5pzzEdRdCqh9QVWKcaq-fWIePs69C3nCRCkl1nHvDtVvn68eHGtLSjDD_8WowV9EIE-7MLd610GbzyIG7H8C2-V4HatLb2DC0/s1600/IMG_1785.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 309px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl0YFnlDQe5aQVuvknNkIkx7hjxXUNTNCIHYPlOBQYxxq5pzzEdRdCqh9QVWKcaq-fWIePs69C3nCRCkl1nHvDtVvn68eHGtLSjDD_8WowV9EIE-7MLd610GbzyIG7H8C2-V4HatLb2DC0/s320/IMG_1785.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731679260998925330" /></a><br /><br />From Quito you will usually get to Cuenca either by plane or direct van service. For those on a tight schedule and/or a reasonable amount of luggage and no pets flying is the best choice. If you’ve shown up with an abundance of luggage or you have a pet you don’t want to cage for another flight a private van will fill your needs.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XQvVXaIQ7wg/T4sEHETxXYI/AAAAAAAANU0/HOhthttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.giftp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifggDVAoxN0/s1600/IMG_1835.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAk1ehgNkV9m-Wl_TR0aCnzLNU5gBJyvKvsqhi4MagvHGKQX4wpUoCissswh-2rilCPueDGyEn8xMEk9oUYAUcZXeenjghYIXJWG9BCqSOezP7Y0BUnYbUi9IheepQhEhcyjY6qSdd0hzI/s320/IMG_1835.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731679470221352322" /></a><br /><br />A great alternative is to take our <a href="http://www.terradiversa.com/cult/volcan_cult.html">Avenue of the Volcanoes</a> tour from Quito to Cuenca (or wait and reverse the itinerary on your way home). On this 3 day/2 night journey you explore the best of the Andean highlands—majestic <a href="http://www.terradiversa.com/cult/volcan_cult.html#cotopaxi_quilotoa">Cotopaxi</a>, the adventure town Banos, the famous <a href="http://www.terradiversa.com/cult/volcan_cult.html#devils_nose">Devil’s Nose train</a>, and <a href="http://www.terradiversa.com/cult/andes2_cult.html#ingapirca">Ingapirca</a>, our best preserved Inca ruins.<br /> <br />Flight arrivals in Guayaquil are sometimes early enough to continue on to Cuenca the same day. If this can be done with minimal layover another flight is optimal. But when there is a long wait between flights it is sometimes quicker (and always less expensive) to take the 3 hour ride over the Cajas mountains in a shared van the rest of the way. This scenic drive is best enjoyed during daylight hours, and proper medication should be taken by those prone to motion sickness.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMFqfDjfStstTXQHL_bT870rJAeLUT7m4k5J4JM59uT2UFEwu8cLyePuH5q4tBQEwmftlgbPcsiZH5rla5dNlfj0DmDU0bAN05CnMzKwN5F2LzZMZ3fnsihmZGLBU_AreEY4eBTrdMTByd/s1600/IMG_2503.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 209px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMFqfDjfStstTXQHL_bT870rJAeLUT7m4k5J4JM59uT2UFEwu8cLyePuH5q4tBQEwmftlgbPcsiZH5rla5dNlfj0DmDU0bAN05CnMzKwN5F2LzZMZ3fnsihmZGLBU_AreEY4eBTrdMTByd/s320/IMG_2503.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731679625985655906" /></a><br /> <br />TerraDiversa is ready to help make your journey to Cuenca as fun and easy as possible. We can arrange airport pickup; book hotels, flights, and vans; and of course create memorable excursions along the way. Contact our Travel Specialists (sales1@terradiversa.com) for assistance and we’ll see you here soon!Edd Statonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10087303161307567127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953635181263490215.post-53333000849445955062012-04-11T09:05:00.008-07:002012-04-11T14:38:47.585-07:00Ecuador at your ServiceTerraDiversa went global yesterday when our own Edd Staton was a guest on Ecuador at your Service, an online radio show broadcast on the Overseas Radio Network (www.overseasradio.com). Hosted by Ashley Rogers & Michel Blanchard, the weekly show features topics of interest about all things Ecuador. These two fine folks also have a travel consultancy and concierge service in Cuenca called Ecuador at your Service(www.ecuadoratyourservice.com), that offers a wide range of customized assistance for visitors and new arrivals.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTx8A0EToRlUbTyhYyRAqN_bbgQtIlukSuwL9N7JNGMDFPDExnMMHN0l5oyL9ZZhcUpg3aRVUq-M57fTcoZDgvVtfWH1r0LvfvK2d3ImHxjophM_O0-EmrA16cxpsZ8uk1bbqYlp5nrGWx/s1600/2012.04.10-005.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTx8A0EToRlUbTyhYyRAqN_bbgQtIlukSuwL9N7JNGMDFPDExnMMHN0l5oyL9ZZhcUpg3aRVUq-M57fTcoZDgvVtfWH1r0LvfvK2d3ImHxjophM_O0-EmrA16cxpsZ8uk1bbqYlp5nrGWx/s320/2012.04.10-005.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730260208895238274" /></a><br /><br />We were talking about travel, of course, and what's new at TerraDiversa. If you want to listen to the whole broadcast click on Show Archive at the ORN website and choose the second listing for 4/10. But understanding busy schedules, here are some highlights of our chat:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_kzUb1GlORVQgPaV8CDsN907E0s7t-zj1-xG3dngwHaeYMMxWNblThnDAs93ceV7CmpWEE0R4LVfFcKmGjL8HaV37GDhW_JsjYPGNuLBtlI46Kc65L2zsGMfHFC27NtiheRQi9jav7Y0w/s1600/2012.04.10-004.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 162px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_kzUb1GlORVQgPaV8CDsN907E0s7t-zj1-xG3dngwHaeYMMxWNblThnDAs93ceV7CmpWEE0R4LVfFcKmGjL8HaV37GDhW_JsjYPGNuLBtlI46Kc65L2zsGMfHFC27NtiheRQi9jav7Y0w/s320/2012.04.10-004.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730260481246832018" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">What makes Ecuador a great travel destination?</span> <br /><br />Most people's knowledge of Ecuador involves the Galapagos but, my gosh, this country has SO much to offer. We have about 1200 miles of unspoiled beaches on the Pacific where you can enjoy amazing sport fishing and from June through October, humpback whale watching. The highlands of the Andes, where Cuenca is located, has birdwatching, active volcanoes, adventure travel, and outstanding cultural experiences. And visitors are often surprised to learn they can visit the Amazon in eastern Ecuador on river cruises or staying in ecolodges. It turns out that little Ecuador, which is only the size of Colorado, is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Tell us about what's new at TerraDiversa.</span><br /><br />What's NOT new? We moved to an excellent new location downtown on Calle Larga several months ago. We attended the NY Times travel show in March. A totally new website should be launched by the end of April. We will soon have an exclusive line of logo'd apparel and nutritional snacks for sale, and we are creating some exciting new tours in both Ecuador and Peru. There's a LOT going on!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">So why should people use a tour operator instead of doing it on their own? </span> <br /><br />That's a great question. People who choose to use a tour operator are looking for a different travel experience than do-it-yourself travelers. They want to have comfortable transportation instead of public buses, they appreciate the expertise of trained guides, and they genuinely enjoy the camaraderie of sharing their excursions with others. We consider ourselves travel specialists and work hard to listen to our customers and always exceed their expectations.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">What kinds of tours does TerraDiversa offer, and what are the most popular trips?</span><br /><br />We have both day trips and multi-day tours throughout Ecuador and Peru, generally grouped into Cultural Journeys and Adventure Travel. And since TerraDiversa's founder, Juan Heredia, started his career as a tour guide in the Galapagos we specialize in that awesome destination. Our most popular tours are to the beautiful Cajas mountains, horseback riding at our hacienda, and for sure Galapagos.<br /><br /><br />Thanks, Ashley & Michel, for the opportunity to appear on your program. Hopefully listeners picked up some helpful information, and we definitely had a lot of fun!Edd Statonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10087303161307567127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953635181263490215.post-1477084987056356632012-04-08T06:02:00.002-07:002012-04-08T06:20:29.566-07:00New Van Reservation ServiceExpats enjoy the low cost and convenience of traveling from city to city in hired vans but for many, limited Spanish and the chore of having to try to communicate over the phone or go to the location in advance to make reservations is less than ideal.<br /><br />TerraDiversa is happy to announce a new van reservation service from Cuenca to Guayaquil and Loja. Visit our convenient downtown office at Calle Larga 8-41 y Luis Cordero, where our English-speaking travel specialists will handle all the arrangements for you. Pre-pay your ride while you're there and you're ready to go! On the day of your journey we can also arrange taxi pickup at your home if needed to take you straight to the van company.<br /><br />Total cost for this service is $15 one way and $30 round trip. For more information contact Flavia at sales1@terradiversa.com or call 07 282 3782.Edd Statonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10087303161307567127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953635181263490215.post-86573819412118525372012-03-24T06:15:00.017-07:002012-03-29T16:36:17.456-07:00To Cuy or not to Cuy<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0JOSzLIoHHCJTodHe8LYy2F-6a_qfZfFfu9jtxCy38UayH7EFyew1ZA03YCKiqxeFJI30405Qh0qhhhNeIJfrFfhKxqlF9D14ij-gXozlVm8izwTur1ss-WNB-DkMjb-Px4eqZNfgQ0qi/s1600/IMG_3596.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 280px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0JOSzLIoHHCJTodHe8LYy2F-6a_qfZfFfu9jtxCy38UayH7EFyew1ZA03YCKiqxeFJI30405Qh0qhhhNeIJfrFfhKxqlF9D14ij-gXozlVm8izwTur1ss-WNB-DkMjb-Px4eqZNfgQ0qi/s320/IMG_3596.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725463451313446402" /></a><br /><br />That is the question for many foreign travelers to Ecuador. For the uninitiated, cuy (pronounced coo-eee) is the South American guinea pig. This is an interesting name because the animal is neither a member of the pig family nor did it originate in Guinea.<br /><br />Cuy come from right here in the Andean highlands, and the little fellows are revered in the Ecuadorian culture, used in spiritual practices and healing ceremonies performed by a shaman. They are also a local delicacy.<br /><br />While driving through villages throughout the Andes you will see, especially on the weekends, proprietors roasting cuy on spits over charcoal fire. For some restaurants in Cuenca cuy is the specialty of the house. Many locals especially enjoy eating the head, feet, and skin because of their special crunch.<br /><br />Now this whole notion of devouring “pet-on-a stick” is quite repellent to certain visitors. For some, memories of Fluffy from childhood do not exactly stimulate the old taste buds. Others are grossed out by the sight of what appears to be a whole tailless rodent (actually, that’s what it is---) being grilled.<br /><br />But almost everyone, even those who won’t eat it, wants to know, “So what does cuy taste like?” A group of adventurous TerraDiversa travelers got to find out yesterday on a tour co-sponsored with GringoTree called <span style="font-weight:bold;">A Day in the Country at Hacienda Totorillas</span>.<br /><br />We journeyed to a beautiful family hacienda in Tarqui to experience daily life in a rural environment. Less than 15 miles from Cuenca, the breathtaking Andean landscape felt worlds away from the city.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRgjApXkcHOaWMhpoAMnxOYYtbjPpreco0_L5kxn25I3n7ioiKO6QObAWRRcOg2Qfo0mMNHU5j20h3kSyjKhCbV96NhPBNgmENNTJ1NbBbjmGe2IxiyqWMLYE0oFbxbh1hTTx3qobeoM6_/s1600/2012.03.28-006.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRgjApXkcHOaWMhpoAMnxOYYtbjPpreco0_L5kxn25I3n7ioiKO6QObAWRRcOg2Qfo0mMNHU5j20h3kSyjKhCbV96NhPBNgmENNTJ1NbBbjmGe2IxiyqWMLYE0oFbxbh1hTTx3qobeoM6_/s320/2012.03.28-006.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725463965434484834" /></a><br /><br />Guests saw cows being milked and later enjoyed eating the freshest cheese made that very morning. They observed a sheep being shorn, thread being created, and garments woven from local wool.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztW5NPtyG2fiDACnU3hSQUlLp-XR37S2crNTIzHhZI2I3GIqa1sTTU244c_8S8GjF9zooQUARudrij74comNANMS6-TQMsK5MRNIMAFLbHa9wj0KcFGIT4zLr1rujvKhqQhJo1Eafw2I2/s1600/2012.03.28-010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztW5NPtyG2fiDACnU3hSQUlLp-XR37S2crNTIzHhZI2I3GIqa1sTTU244c_8S8GjF9zooQUARudrij74comNANMS6-TQMsK5MRNIMAFLbHa9wj0KcFGIT4zLr1rujvKhqQhJo1Eafw2I2/s320/2012.03.28-010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725464203882444930" /></a><br /><br />Fava beans were picked for lunch and visits were paid to the areas where free range chickens and cuy are raised. Highlights of the day trip were horseback riding and hiking.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-EM5eiiT0TEAWyCp-tarK9orlQDxak8-soAo-l6FUrym_ixCf_9vJ6zmKZTEAZQROhf76w8_fDGtTYrCteaxbcXj39QmkYm6EZJ1rrrLBwdDwt2cE-G27Ehw9gpr7fZrUf4qYog8jqLWz/s1600/2012.03.28-018.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 182px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-EM5eiiT0TEAWyCp-tarK9orlQDxak8-soAo-l6FUrym_ixCf_9vJ6zmKZTEAZQROhf76w8_fDGtTYrCteaxbcXj39QmkYm6EZJ1rrrLBwdDwt2cE-G27Ehw9gpr7fZrUf4qYog8jqLWz/s320/2012.03.28-018.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725464950682024658" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh47mVBq3mc27twte9HKQQfjaWR_ALH9xfWyAq2t67CX2Uqz_d1J70Y7Ee_NW3n6rV24VGCSncyvQNo81t8tbwaE5fPjCcZjYjQs1Ix8XIbKLvA5swHJTc7sRUwy5W1pVYVH_Zig5Hzy1eV/s1600/2012.03.28-026.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 195px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh47mVBq3mc27twte9HKQQfjaWR_ALH9xfWyAq2t67CX2Uqz_d1J70Y7Ee_NW3n6rV24VGCSncyvQNo81t8tbwaE5fPjCcZjYjQs1Ix8XIbKLvA5swHJTc7sRUwy5W1pVYVH_Zig5Hzy1eV/s320/2012.03.28-026.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725465107498650114" /></a><br /><br />All that activity works up an appetite, and our guests were treated to a special surprise. We served what we jokingly called “cutting edge Andean/American fusion cuisine”—hamburgers, hot dogs, and---cuy!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMDqq17CePNfUjfkOuW_qs4CArxLZjNAxfW7LvsQwtC2Nb36UbHbTlTcrZrSDi_p2_XtDVRNOnFLC8zUjEp-cO82-RMw0ENJQJVV_sCXF1vcyselcK9YVBN0SSeuRkSbV5qJhb846hR8pn/s1600/2012.03.28-033.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMDqq17CePNfUjfkOuW_qs4CArxLZjNAxfW7LvsQwtC2Nb36UbHbTlTcrZrSDi_p2_XtDVRNOnFLC8zUjEp-cO82-RMw0ENJQJVV_sCXF1vcyselcK9YVBN0SSeuRkSbV5qJhb846hR8pn/s320/2012.03.28-033.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725465355042142082" /></a><br /><br />“Squeamish” wasn’t part of this group’s vocabulary as everyone went for it and at least tasted the exotic meat. One young lady was even overheard telling her mom, “I’ll eat yours if you don’t want it.”<br /><br />So what’s the verdict? What does cuy taste like?<br /><br />Well, the consensus was: it tastes like---cuy. A little gamey, a little greasy, a little like dark meat chicken maybe, but certainly unique and tasty.<br /><br />For adventurous souls like our group we recommend hunkering down to a plate of cuy while you’re here. If nothing else, you’ll have a unique story to tell family and friends when you return home!<br /><br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghd0IkVyFRaQDgH_ILj4aoCzlE5E8Oiv7a91jPTxwVQezcJqe7M84-aFpORMWzG4FTzYuPe3sei3Z75geuKlEbycweAQn5HPMeviSvlJkmavqYW1jZXwhMY4TFWisv_g2fNE30c6wcUdn5/s1600/2012.03.28-051.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghd0IkVyFRaQDgH_ILj4aoCzlE5E8Oiv7a91jPTxwVQezcJqe7M84-aFpORMWzG4FTzYuPe3sei3Z75geuKlEbycweAQn5HPMeviSvlJkmavqYW1jZXwhMY4TFWisv_g2fNE30c6wcUdn5/s320/2012.03.28-051.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725465951329037570" /></a>Edd Statonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10087303161307567127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953635181263490215.post-4404219430391747162012-03-22T14:48:00.040-07:002012-03-22T16:10:26.841-07:00New York Times Travel Show Part 2TerraDiversa was honored to attend the NY Times Travel Show this month. Partners Edd (Director of Marketing) and Cynthia (Director of Sales) Staton represented our company and country at the event.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_tNE4DGUlkBeM6B5FOH9IZYuzqAKdpS_QS4J9S6qCKDrSzZuwwLAEFefXAn0BCcNnzKoWGBdtqoILTnEioiOYh9ZXG5GpoKP3UseZdRm9z0GezliNcCuQ-geyG9NrV8kBCelbUOV1LFK8/s1600/IMG_3783.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 232px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_tNE4DGUlkBeM6B5FOH9IZYuzqAKdpS_QS4J9S6qCKDrSzZuwwLAEFefXAn0BCcNnzKoWGBdtqoILTnEioiOYh9ZXG5GpoKP3UseZdRm9z0GezliNcCuQ-geyG9NrV8kBCelbUOV1LFK8/s320/IMG_3783.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722855219540616306" /></a><br /><br />Ecuador was a major sponsor of the show <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzMxRBoeIStywe2DSleNzhIw0oJqKXU0inIwOxrGadLLNMjQovoA_qg3nwpATLF1jVEs8I3-WB4-LVdweDa9WDc3XIjwfkueGf-NwpIe-6OqzEUuf8MUV4h_H8C4amik5C4BdAmAEow1E1/s1600/IMG_3774.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzMxRBoeIStywe2DSleNzhIw0oJqKXU0inIwOxrGadLLNMjQovoA_qg3nwpATLF1jVEs8I3-WB4-LVdweDa9WDc3XIjwfkueGf-NwpIe-6OqzEUuf8MUV4h_H8C4amik5C4BdAmAEow1E1/s320/IMG_3774.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722857486823311922" /></a> <br /><br />and had a massive and prominently featured display area.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwgxkWtPdqd4akReKb3x2UyVss1mf7ynpHiObhw2M9qgPcptlf_AlkOeM6Iq5QBGOxR-EYO5HV9o6_XNuOhNc_7nMDqDSHHCrkyrYy30ekd-IyWmJje2jmbJRzpObNiPoP-7TtDTT7wsZO/s1600/IMG_3776.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 246px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwgxkWtPdqd4akReKb3x2UyVss1mf7ynpHiObhw2M9qgPcptlf_AlkOeM6Iq5QBGOxR-EYO5HV9o6_XNuOhNc_7nMDqDSHHCrkyrYy30ekd-IyWmJje2jmbJRzpObNiPoP-7TtDTT7wsZO/s400/IMG_3776.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722851338962480370" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Vn6cV5_sFNEmX7n40Rkcy8-maK6vvOaMDvR4PkGndIsbXrZ_Gdsu8Z9ofwE2H53rFHmSHa5IY5WSTxx5GLtKZxp5runQfa_ya6tQBFMEuOJRv40VqOIoMhSolM07ySjEpnsGSQXRK0Pr/s1600/IMG_3778.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Vn6cV5_sFNEmX7n40Rkcy8-maK6vvOaMDvR4PkGndIsbXrZ_Gdsu8Z9ofwE2H53rFHmSHa5IY5WSTxx5GLtKZxp5runQfa_ya6tQBFMEuOJRv40VqOIoMhSolM07ySjEpnsGSQXRK0Pr/s320/IMG_3778.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722857802530549186" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_TEUAMBH2EiJGSuNFeNMMov5YgSmOiQJPxEMho2mk_V8auUnKMr01VbggZFeXY7_uZekdVmP_lAYbP44P8nVJcr5usLdc6kjLTLhbBVvpQdsAIKfh9y8HEl0_sWnaDb5zXwQTlLezEJz/s1600/IMG_3779.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_TEUAMBH2EiJGSuNFeNMMov5YgSmOiQJPxEMho2mk_V8auUnKMr01VbggZFeXY7_uZekdVmP_lAYbP44P8nVJcr5usLdc6kjLTLhbBVvpQdsAIKfh9y8HEl0_sWnaDb5zXwQTlLezEJz/s320/IMG_3779.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722858128935430434" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggFzpr_ql7r1zop-bOy4jfwBMEVLUUFs9itUh91Z_gO5r5Lyx_4Oi2aCRqI3jmwGJhRekhNO6uWr-rqHf1ZCwUzpL8D7fbJNcW9wjN0lrVQkWQcgkz204UiQj2qErAkPyK13S5RLaAVu_N/s1600/IMG_3776.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 197px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggFzpr_ql7r1zop-bOy4jfwBMEVLUUFs9itUh91Z_gO5r5Lyx_4Oi2aCRqI3jmwGJhRekhNO6uWr-rqHf1ZCwUzpL8D7fbJNcW9wjN0lrVQkWQcgkz204UiQj2qErAkPyK13S5RLaAVu_N/s320/IMG_3776.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722858306735358258" /></a><br /><br />The first day was for "trade only." We attended extremely informative morning workshops focused on market specialization and social networks. After a keynote address the show floor was opened for all travel professionals to mingle before opening the following morning to the general public. A lovely cocktail reception was a pleasant way to end the day.<br /><br />Saturday and Sunday the joint was jumpin'.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-uJ7kcHtxjGlSf44nc_yXCk08EV_E4tbaNTxpV3E9OVw0kJdtHtry2ZbiotnHR_qc3lPPt7kqMNHltklAHpd-YY0FBSBBeG4eh2dF8H0QfNfKZ_XJzRcvbj0TM-p0OhMWKvxIYNL6DX5H/s1600/IMG_3782.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 198px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-uJ7kcHtxjGlSf44nc_yXCk08EV_E4tbaNTxpV3E9OVw0kJdtHtry2ZbiotnHR_qc3lPPt7kqMNHltklAHpd-YY0FBSBBeG4eh2dF8H0QfNfKZ_XJzRcvbj0TM-p0OhMWKvxIYNL6DX5H/s320/IMG_3782.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722858796698172066" /></a><br /><br />Attendance exceeded all expectations as a festive vibe enveloped the huge convention hall. Lavish displays from around the globe dazzled the eye,<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjctggkbI2GNB2Y6cf21Y8G00Vjfc7gUrE6eueGwKjuCgdpQdRWJCa9RUVCPxrTbYSoXTUkVJWe_fKlQgerriT5x8MjUh6K5ODP3UsOw_1nZkVdKnrX-5Q9hWRm_53s3wUWQNKu8qBFIsUB/s1600/IMG_3781.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjctggkbI2GNB2Y6cf21Y8G00Vjfc7gUrE6eueGwKjuCgdpQdRWJCa9RUVCPxrTbYSoXTUkVJWe_fKlQgerriT5x8MjUh6K5ODP3UsOw_1nZkVdKnrX-5Q9hWRm_53s3wUWQNKu8qBFIsUB/s320/IMG_3781.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722859012694095890" /></a><br /><br />while non-stop dance performances, music, and international cooking demonstrations occupied 10 different pavilion stages.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeGMnZmtRcu7c_ul_gzJLgoN8OFAJXHK0JMexCYcx75_Lwd2taXpMwiuQGhb-kStANqDl2jMTPOzrcNIJs_DdxH4xXhQJrIvY0p3iM-zfiGf6NJi5xMJsOpMt7yPHFg7XWef2aHBN6yDZs/s1600/IMG_3784.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 276px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeGMnZmtRcu7c_ul_gzJLgoN8OFAJXHK0JMexCYcx75_Lwd2taXpMwiuQGhb-kStANqDl2jMTPOzrcNIJs_DdxH4xXhQJrIvY0p3iM-zfiGf6NJi5xMJsOpMt7yPHFg7XWef2aHBN6yDZs/s320/IMG_3784.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722859238905542018" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis1dvHtwsu-LUR0e7U1IiD8KDZ2NSmS6xQa2AYASc2dLTXITHCJ0u_yiuj_xCM_3zqGpLIxQ_nV5ZcnRsEdomhTub8qf16rLe9V4bwMssg983k8BY5dTvBDolHRUF0OAzjIlpwPYXwYigI/s1600/IMG_3772.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 289px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis1dvHtwsu-LUR0e7U1IiD8KDZ2NSmS6xQa2AYASc2dLTXITHCJ0u_yiuj_xCM_3zqGpLIxQ_nV5ZcnRsEdomhTub8qf16rLe9V4bwMssg983k8BY5dTvBDolHRUF0OAzjIlpwPYXwYigI/s320/IMG_3772.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722859460480629426" /></a><br /><br />Outside the main hall in two seminar rooms travel presentations were presented to packed crowds. Experts covered topics from cruising to luxury train travel to African safaris. Celebrities like the Frommer's, Samantha Brown, and Adam Richman gave entertaining talks and signed autographs.<br /><br />Looks like folks are ready to get out and have some fun again! Travel <span style="font-style:italic;">is</span> fun, and TerraDiversa is <span style="font-style:italic;">your</span> Ecuador travel specialist.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNoDcsfXwy3mk9MQMLEeaBWODGa_NuvNwfu2bmbcT1ZvWGvKcGysdHOGz43Ab-UB8uVomyWY-oR7sPTod5AIvveqVz4AZZkGlWFWQZYI4Z37onTgpqQZSYv9DituZUu9ExsIKsMjz60fBh/s1600/IMG_3788.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNoDcsfXwy3mk9MQMLEeaBWODGa_NuvNwfu2bmbcT1ZvWGvKcGysdHOGz43Ab-UB8uVomyWY-oR7sPTod5AIvveqVz4AZZkGlWFWQZYI4Z37onTgpqQZSYv9DituZUu9ExsIKsMjz60fBh/s320/IMG_3788.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722859808649346194" /></a>Edd Statonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10087303161307567127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953635181263490215.post-25269462703687605542012-03-04T16:13:00.004-08:002012-03-04T17:34:29.482-08:00New York Times Travel ShowTerraDiversa was thrilled to attend the NY Times Travel Show March 2-4. The first day was "trade only," with special seminars, a chance to explore the exhibit area and meet other travel professionals, and a lavish cocktail reception. Our representatives attended seminars on "Transforming from Travel Agent to Travel Specialist" and "Harnessing the Power of Social and Interactive Media to Reach Travelers" because both topics are important areas of focus in our 2012 planning.<br /><br />These information-packed sessions featured panels of renowned experts in their respective fields who shared timely tips on providing enhanced travel experiences for our clients. A keynote address followed with other industry leaders discussing the bright future for travel professionals as well as the latest trends and developments.<br /><br />Ecuador was a major sponsor of this year's event and had a fabulous exhibit space at the show. Attendance was overwhelming, a strong indicator that people are fed up with all this negativity about the economy and ready to have some fun!<br /><br />We enjoyed entertaining talks by the Travel Channel's Samantha Brown and Adam Richman; Arthur and Pauline Frommer discussing their favorite travel destinations; seminars on travel writing, culinary travel, train travel; cooking demonstrations, tequila and wine tastings----does it sound like this weekend was any fun??<br /><br />You bet it was!!<br /><br />We look forward to returning to Ecuador and implementing many of the great new ideas we learned while in New York. Even though the show was a blast, our primary goal in attending was to support our mission of providing travel experiences that exceed your expectations and create special memories.<br /><br />Hasta luego!Edd Statonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10087303161307567127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953635181263490215.post-81262079094224786412012-02-21T12:46:00.010-08:002012-02-21T13:48:22.341-08:00Bienvenidos!That means “Welcome!” to all you non-Spanish speakers. This is our very first of many blogs where we hope to enlighten and sometimes entertain you as we present the very best Ecuador travel info.<br /> <br />Most people associate Ecuador only with the fabulous Galapagos archipelago. We want everyone to appreciate the incredible beauty and diversity throughout our small country. So let’s start out with a “greatest hits” collection of interesting facts & figures.<br /><br />Ecuador has the most biodiversity per square mile of any nation in the world. There are over 1600 bird species, over 16,000 species of plants, and 6000 different types of butterfly. We are the only country on earth with a constitution that recognizes the rights of nature.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipAWyJkAr-IX-SZ3HVJN_cw0xd0tEp-3GrpM70PSBWwZAgGvpJVSLLyFmNwm0BmUtrI4ZRHBmANzCFPrfTneb8EbG7qmjXQQOs5kfj-hJqhPuK6onxtNFaftx3PddDDchKKRYSQYPWSOMU/s1600/IMG_3357.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipAWyJkAr-IX-SZ3HVJN_cw0xd0tEp-3GrpM70PSBWwZAgGvpJVSLLyFmNwm0BmUtrI4ZRHBmANzCFPrfTneb8EbG7qmjXQQOs5kfj-hJqhPuK6onxtNFaftx3PddDDchKKRYSQYPWSOMU/s400/IMG_3357.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711703772503738306" /></a><br /><br />Aside from the Galapagos (which will be featured in a future blog), Ecuador is divided into three very distinct regions: the Pacific coast, the Andean highlands, and the Amazon. The unspoiled 1250 mile Ecuadorian coastline is lined with spectacular beaches, quaint fishing villages, mangrove forests, and even jungle. There are several rollicking resort areas as well as championship deep sea fishing sites. Between July and October hundreds of humpback whales gather along the central coast, sometimes so close they can be observed from the shore!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivjRaE0cEPurX3v3wMeLIsiVbAY2ZKcWWZr5lZnnFFeayCKRJx2rVrML8MRc1ZdmCdXbhtGj2rkoaE0KPkmuXiKH9_1jm5wolVnqfcT6vzxF27yhyY0bTM-dpAkriB8hKyo0XWnCKusLyE/s1600/IMG_3609.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivjRaE0cEPurX3v3wMeLIsiVbAY2ZKcWWZr5lZnnFFeayCKRJx2rVrML8MRc1ZdmCdXbhtGj2rkoaE0KPkmuXiKH9_1jm5wolVnqfcT6vzxF27yhyY0bTM-dpAkriB8hKyo0XWnCKusLyE/s400/IMG_3609.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711707584246619426" /></a><br /><br />The Andes, which run north to south through the middle of Ecuador, offer a year-round temperate climate and an incredible variety of cultural and adventure excursions. Trek snow-capped mountains; observe active volcanoes; relax in hot<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsiFfvvYK7uOYlEc5z0vNN-isLd26s2RofBOs9_qu2e0R7QULEgB7RkptSFFNKErL8TJV8MsMZ8vIA4FAHrs5o0uX-OnJQTVjcqnxVGQWlRk2D-K3zXnAH5oCn1u2CR65yUjz06m3hNhlR/s1600/IMG_2018.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsiFfvvYK7uOYlEc5z0vNN-isLd26s2RofBOs9_qu2e0R7QULEgB7RkptSFFNKErL8TJV8MsMZ8vIA4FAHrs5o0uX-OnJQTVjcqnxVGQWlRk2D-K3zXnAH5oCn1u2CR65yUjz06m3hNhlR/s400/IMG_2018.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711694958928714338" /></a> springs surrounded by lush vegetation; enjoy colonial architecture in two UNESCO World Heritage cities; horseback ride along the Inca Trail; or bargain in world-famous indigenous markets—these activities only scratch the surface of your amazing possibilities.<br /><br />A lot of folks are surprised to learn that the Amazon jungle occupies almost half of Ecuador. Ethnic groups and tribes still live in this vast wilderness according to the customs and traditions of their ancestral past. Ecuador offers some of the world’s best ecotourism programs and an unprecedented opportunity for experiencing abundant wildlife and cultural immersion. There’s no better place to discover the magic of the Amazon. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVfok81oBgE38JWpo-4lfgB9gYHDGS5V8oKv07jFY5zzt4bOcSrsKS5LJ7lKLdxIxFKIw0x_mF7MpUN1CH1sM5-S4_F8ggF0arZWKRimFFYbcOvOXPFG0yXiC78yHnru7GXT7J5iITN4zK/s1600/IMG_1969.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVfok81oBgE38JWpo-4lfgB9gYHDGS5V8oKv07jFY5zzt4bOcSrsKS5LJ7lKLdxIxFKIw0x_mF7MpUN1CH1sM5-S4_F8ggF0arZWKRimFFYbcOvOXPFG0yXiC78yHnru7GXT7J5iITN4zK/s400/IMG_1969.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711708421700961714" /></a><br /><br />TerraDiversa has been offering professional tours throughout Ecuador , Galapagos, and Peru for over 10 years. Visit our website (www.terradiversa.com) to contact us and to check out all the fun excursions and destinations.<br /><br />And, hey, we’d love to hear from you about topics you’d like to see featured in our blog. Please take a minute to post a comment so we can get a conversation started!Edd Statonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10087303161307567127noreply@blogger.com5