Cloud forests
Sunday morning found us on the 9:30 bus to Nanegalitho. About 1.5 hours in typical Ecuadorian rally racing style brought us to a spot just other side the town. We still had a 12 km dirt road section to take us to our lodge but no transport. Johan and some local hailed down a milk truck, direction back to town to find a taxi, and disappeared. Janine was left on the side of the road with all our luggage and our 8kg of food. Half an hour later the same milk truck returned, having offered to take us the final distance just in time for the big match. We watched the first half of the football final in the workers' quarters of the lodge and proceeded to pack out on the top floor of a dome construction (the lodge) which has place for 3 people (actually 4). After we spread our stuff out it was quite apparent to anyone that that level was fully occupied.
The proceeding 3 days were wonderful rest days. There are many hikes you can do on your own. Armed with map, water, bug repellent (super NB) and Janine's amazing sandwiches we would traipse the forests in the mornings until the afternoon cool brought the clouds rolling up the valley all the way to our perch - hence the name 'cloud forests'. Simply spectacular to walk through and to watch from our top floor of the dome.
The lodge has a few hummingbird feeders which attract the most stunning variety of hummingbirds - one that Janine particularly loved had a bright lilac chest and its body was no bigger than a brazil nut! The forest jungle contained such a variety of plants and insects that Janine was constantly in her element. Even Johan was noticing many a remarkable detail every so often - like tiny orchids and shiny green beetles.
Everything about that time, even the talkative ride back with a taxi driver who's wife was due to give birth the following morning, was so enjoyable and we left renewed. Onward to Banos - but that is another story!
The proceeding 3 days were wonderful rest days. There are many hikes you can do on your own. Armed with map, water, bug repellent (super NB) and Janine's amazing sandwiches we would traipse the forests in the mornings until the afternoon cool brought the clouds rolling up the valley all the way to our perch - hence the name 'cloud forests'. Simply spectacular to walk through and to watch from our top floor of the dome.
The lodge has a few hummingbird feeders which attract the most stunning variety of hummingbirds - one that Janine particularly loved had a bright lilac chest and its body was no bigger than a brazil nut! The forest jungle contained such a variety of plants and insects that Janine was constantly in her element. Even Johan was noticing many a remarkable detail every so often - like tiny orchids and shiny green beetles.
Everything about that time, even the talkative ride back with a taxi driver who's wife was due to give birth the following morning, was so enjoyable and we left renewed. Onward to Banos - but that is another story!
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