ECUADOR

Hola chicas and cheekos,

 Let me share our Thanksgiving plans, November 17th to 28th

- Burritos in Ecuador -

Heralded as the center of the planet, equatorial Ecuador provided heightened opportunities to raft, hike, bike, swing, climb, feast, and burn.    

We leave Quito and travel by bus into the Amazon Basin to enjoy 

the incredible scenery en route to the jungle town of Tena.

Cozy hostal in Tena

Navigate the wild Jatunyaku River in the surrounding lush cloud forest. The cool water and air make this an excellent change from the tropical Amazon climate.

Transfer by private vehicle to the start point of the trek into Llanganates National Park. Enjoy spectacular scenery of the Tunguragua Volcano while trekking into the park through lush cloud forest. Spend the night camping under the stars enjoying nature at its best.

In between "killing it" it killed us.

Travel by bus to Baños, a town surrounded by lush cloud forest. 

Enjoy a free afternoon for optional activities like canyoning, 

ziplining, visiting local waterfalls, or exploring the town on foot. 

Adventurous swingers of all ages are welcome to take a ride at 

the end of the world, but at their own discretion.

Deep in the Ecuadorian wilderness is a seismic monitoring station in a tree known as Casa del Arbol. Its purpose is observe Mt. Tungurahua, the nearby active volcano, from its precarious perch. While the treehouse itself is a sight to behold, the real attraction is the crude swing hanging from one of the tree’s skinny branches.

Free morning in Baños for optional activities like horseback riding.

Getting to 16,000 feet is a killer…even if you started at 15,000.  

The 9 younger hikers in our group waited at the sign and cheered, 

applauded, videoed and photographed our late but safe arrival.  

So sweet.

In the morning, head into Cotopaxi National Park for a guided tour up the mountain, spectacular views, and a harrowing downhill mountain bike excursion. After lunch at Limpiopungo lake return to Quito for for a final night in the city.

Ecuador is the ROSE capital of the world.  And more...

We can find a church anywhere in the world.  

And Christ’s teachings are the same.  

I find that comforting and empowering.

 

Somehow we survived our extreme excursion to eclectic and ecological Ecuador.  

One reason we travel is summed up in this quote: “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming, Wow! What a ride!”  - Hunter S Thompson  

Thrilled to have been there.  Happy to be home.