Blogs from Tena, East, Ecuador, South America - page 5

31.10.2009 15:30 ¡Vive la vida! Gefuehlte 60°C im Schatten, Schwuele - nun faengt sie an, die Schwitzerei. Nach dem relativ kuehlen Cuenca auf 2550m ueber NN und dem fruehlingshaften Baños auf 1500m bin ich nun nach vierstuendiger Busfahrt im Tiefland auf der oestlichen Seite der Anden gelandet: dem Oriente Ecuadors, einem Teil des Amazonas-Regenwaldgebietes. Platt wie eine Flunder liege ich in einer Haengematte auf der Veranda meines Hostels, das ein paar Hundert Meter ausserhalb von Tena auf einer kleinen Anhoehe liegt, und blicke ueber die kleine Stadt vor dem Regenwald, der dahinter zu dampfen scheint. Fuer sechs Wochen kann ich nun Jacke, Sweatshirt und Fleecepulli in die unteren Tiefen meines Rucksacks verbannen, stattdessen habe ich Sonnenschutz, Mueckennetz und Autan hervorgekramt. Zum 3. Mal in 14 Monaten sitze ich nun also im Regenwald, obwohl ich do... read more

Eh, my stomach is no bueno. But I guess this is not the way to start a blog. So let´s see...I haven´t written in ages. Soo sooo sorry, mom and dad. Where was I, the last time I wrote something I think I was in Bolivia writing about Brazil. Now im in Ecuador writting about Ecuador. The first two weeks I spent looking at the marvels of the galapagos islands and let me tell you they are freaking amazing. With Endemic birds fluttering around, landing on you if you have food and giant tortoises lounging lazily taking in the hot ecuadorian sun. We tried visiting the islands, the ¨cheap way¨...which meant a lot of island hopping on water taxis that took 2 to 3 hrs each way...in not soo calm waters. The fee was a ... read more

After finishing at the Santa Marta rescue Centre we continued our travels by heading to Tena, the white water rafting capital of Ecuador. We were hoping to do a multi-day rafting trip, which would mean camping alongside the river as we made our way along...No the bees and mossies of Noel Kempff had not put us off life on the wildside. After checking out multiple agencies we found one that was willing to do a multiday tour...we could choose between 2 and 4 days. Cost unfortunately limited us to 2 days. Surprisingly we were the only ones interested in such a trip so cost per person was duly increased. We had hoped to go the next day but unsurprisingly this proved to be organisationally difficult and so we settled on the day after. We were not ... read more

Week 4 The week started with Duncan and Connie teaming up for their first teaching expererience....very daunting for them but highly rewarding. After the working week fininshed we were rewarded with a trip to Hector's island. Hector is an ex guide from the Yachana reserve who bought the island. It acts as a non-reintroductory sanctuary for monkeys where they can live wild without threat from hunters. He has 9 out of the 17 species that exist in Ecuador. We assisted with some trail maintenance and were rewarded with lunch and a tour of the island spotting the wildlife (including wooly and white-fronted saki monkeys) and being introduced to the useful plants that grow in the rain forest. We also had fun making our own blow darts and getting in some target practice. Then like all Ecuadorians ... read more

Week 3 - As part of camp duties Duncan, Dan and Alan had voluntered to be the maintenance team and during this week they decided to put in some new steps across a particularly boggy part of the camp. Their work was cut out for them and as she watched the boys toiling, Sima came up with the idea that everyone in camp could saw a step in exchange for getting their name carved into it. The idea was an instant hit and in no time 30 new steps were ready! Flavio and Mauro's carving skills came in handy and everyone rallied round to finish the job. A visit to Peter's farm (a graduate from the Yachana College) treated us to some culinary delights including home grown hot chocolate, refreshing sugar cane, fresh coconut milk and ... read more