Marquipucuna

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Marquipucuna cloud forest is a small reserve about 4 hrs from Quito
It was listed as a protected ares in 1995
It is a truly unique and diverse ecosystem
Situated within pristine primary rainforest
and nestled within a thick band of cloud.
Hence the cloud forest.
Like so many places in Ecuador it struggles to maintain diversity.
Pressure from local agriculture and poaching threatens to destroy
this beautiful ecosystem which is one of the most biologically diverse
places on the planet.
The area was once used as a thoroughfare to bring booze into Quito from the surrounding towns.
The trail is called the "Culuncos" it is so well worn from the hundreds of years in use
it is 2-3m deep in places.
Today it is still used to traffic drugs which is also a problem for the reserve
The managers are working hard to preserve the reserve and are currently
producing sustainably made coffee. Each coffee plant is planted with a native
tree and a banana plant for shade.
If anyones interested in buying some Ecuadorian coffee let me know.
Divertirse

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Photos

Tree House
Now this is a real tree house, the stumps keeping it up were real live trees

Hummingbirds
These guys are so cool,if you look close there is two in this photo

The booze trail
Check out how deep it is

Rain forest crabs
Fresh water crabs living in the rainforest i nearly put him in my poket and took him back to the sea

Josie
We found a plant that is used as dye, naturally faces had to be painted

Comments

[bailsmspiratebails]

sexy boots
hey mate, lovely boots. all looking ace over there. sorry i haven't kept up with the blog as much as i should. hope you're keeping well and experiencing lots mate. peace.

[Amalia Dan]

Snakes you can hold on to, crocs, treehouses, history and natural dyes; that's my kind of gig!