Blogs from Tena, East, Ecuador, South America - page 4

So after a great time in Banos we made our way to Tena. Going to Tena really shows off the great diversity of the country of Ecuador. Up to this point we had been in the Andes mountain region but as we descended (seriously .. an ear popping 2000 m drop in altitude) from Banos to Tena in a rather quick 3 hour bus ride we felt like we were seriously in a different country. Instead of being surrounded in a valley of mountains we were surrounded by jungle. Tena is located at the end of civilization and at the beginning of the Amazon jungle. As we got into town we wanted to talk with some locals and other travelers about how to best explore the Amazon. For this we figured that we would have to ... read more

Had it not been for a few kayaking buddies from way back when, I dont think I ever would have left the Zona Cafetera. I certainly wouldnt be sitting here in Tena, Ecuador, whitewater kayaking the headwaters of the Amazon River. As the date of our upcoming rendezvous in Quito rapidly approached, I hopped an 8-hour bus ride from Salento to Popayán, breaking up the 24 hour trip from Zona Cafetera to Quito into 3 tolerable days. Popayán is known as ´The White City´for its whitewashed city walls. The entire city plaza is stunningly absent of color, especially last week; Popayán is most famous for its Semana Santa, or Holy Week, processions. Last week the streets were rumbling under high scaffoldings as painters chipped, spackled, smattered, and refinished every wall in the city center in a ... read more

This week we went to the river to swim with a local family. The river was high due to the rains, but we had a nice swim. The teenagers, Ecuadorian and Canadian all had a great time playing in the water, and then the thunder, lightening and rain hit. Hard. We evacuated to a small hut next to the tiny soccer field in Serena, but the teens decided we were so wet they might as well play soccer- barefoot in the mud.. check out the photos. We are also getting to know the kids at the center quite well, and finding the sweet spots in town, like the best icecream, and street vendors. Planning to spend April in Banos. Total immersion is certainly a great way to learn a language, and to get a headache too! ... read more

We have had a wonderful time in Ecuador thus far. Getting used to the altitude wasn't too bad at all. Getting our 6 month visa was a bigger deal, but that's done too. We have managed quite a few high-adventure type activities, mostly in Mindo. We went zip-lining, which lived up to the all the great things we'd heard about it. Flying along on a cable hundreds of feet above the ground is pretty exiting, doing it 12 times is pretty impressive. Dave, Steven and Katrina did a rappel called canyoning down a 40 meter waterfall, and we all went on a tubing trip down a very raging river, and were completely blown away by the acrobatics of the guides who throw themselves between the tubes and the rocks repeatedly redirecting the 7 tubes tied together. ... read more

Travelled to the ShangriLa lodge in the jungle Ate soup at a roadside diner on the way, one of the girls had a surprise when she found a pigs tooth in it Fantastic views over the Rio Napa from the lodge Didn´t see too much wildlife apart from bugs! a few millipedes,snake, spiders etc plus the usual sandflies and mozzies. Did see a lot of indiginous animals at a wildlife sanctuary though. Stayed in wooden cabins, the lodge is in a beautifull setting Climbed a few waterfalls and did some jungle walks. Also managfed to fit in a few poker games, most of the group play, and lots of rum consumed too. Off to the galapagos for 8 days on sunday... read more