On Wednesday we left at 7:30 (well, actually 8am b/c in Ecuador nothing is ever actually on time) to head to the Maquipucuna Cloud Forest. It's one of the earth's top 3 biodiversity hotspots with 14,000 acres of cloud forests (it looked more like the jungle to me!). In fact, 10% of Ecuador's plant diversity and 20% of it's bird diversity (over 350 species) is located here! Additionally there are over 250 species of butterflies. They also do all sorts of research and great work with the local community. (More about them on their website).
We took a bus ride (per usual) and of course ended up on some very bumpy, windy, wet, narrow, crazy dirt roads. It was much better then last trip (no crazy cliffs) but I still wonder how the bus doesn't tip over on some of the tight turns going down or uphill. Some shots from the drive:
Streams, puddles, and erosion are just a normal part of travel here
A shot straight down as we went near the edge of a little waterfall (not scary here, but more adrenaline pumping when that drop is a several hundred foot cliff)
The whole experience was absolutely amazing - so many animals (esp small ones) and incredible plant life. Our first day we arrived, had a ten minute introduction, and quickly got split into groups. My group was the first to go on the 'long hike'. We were told to wear our swimsuits and be ready in 15min. First we had to grab some high rubber boots (to help with the muddy trail and stream crossings) which were awesome. Then we changed real quick, grabbed our boxed lunches, and headed out to an amazing trail.
There were hummingbirds all our camp area!
Jacquie and I rocking our rubber boots and ready to go
We started through some high grass that went along a riverbank. A few minutes in we noticed quite a smell - our guide said something must have died. Another 5min up the trail we found a dead cow which looked like it died giving birth. I won't go into detail but let's just say a flock of vultures took off as we approached.
Great views of the river
Looking out from a viewpoint
Beyond that we started uphill to some amazing scenery. Our guide set a quick pace and we were soon sweating since the air was quite humid. Luckily we were down around 1,000 meters above sea level so it was easier to hike here then in Quito. We also saw lots of cool bugs and small creatures:
Beetle shell
Very poisonous caterpillar
Soon we approached a walled trail - on either side of this narrow trail there were natural walls about 8ft high. The trail is pre-Incan and it was neat to think about all the people who had traveled on it before us as we walked along.
Pre-Inca trail (I know, it's really hard to tell where the trail is and where the walls are.... but they are there!)
Huge leaves and plants everywhere!
About 1:45min later we were all hot, tired, hungry, and ready for a good break. We to a stream crossing and unfortunately I lost my footing and tumbled over soaking my pants. No problem though, we stopped for lunch a moment later so I had some time to get dry. Then we changed out of our clothes and waded through thigh high water to a waterfall and swimming hole! The water was cold but refreshing and it was so cool to go swimming. I could have stayed right there for a looooong time.
Sarah successfully crossing the stream
Getting ready to go swim at the waterfall! It was shallow here but over my head near the falls.
The quality on this is terrible (don't bother with full screen) but I had to include it just to show how you got off that huge rock (only one good way down!). If I had fancy editing software I'd cut the end there.... I went so fast I wasn't sure my top was still on straight (ha). It was so fun though - I did it twice!
Our way back went much quicker since we had eaten and were feeling refreshed from the swim. Once back we had time to shower (had to watch for chiggers), play cards, and enjoy a delicious dinner. Christina french braided my hair after dinner (very handy to get it out my face) and we all sat around chatting. We also heard a short talk from the folks that run the reserve about the great work they are doing and also a bit about the Amazon basin! It was a very relaxing evening.
Neat bridge near our lodge
Elysse and Shelby making their way back through the high grass
Group shot of the PDX ladies after our hike
Day 2 we were up early at 6am. None of us slept all that well despite being super tired. Several of us dreamed of chiggers, spiders, and other creepy crawly bugs. Others just felt restless or kept waking up. I had two little spiders living above my bed about a foot from my face... I couldn't bring myself to kill them but I did wake up wondering if I'd gotten a little extra protein during the night. No matter - we had a bird watching walk to go on. Even though it was optional (and I don't really think of myself as a birder) I was up and ready to go.
Definitely worth it - I don't have great pictures but there were some good binoculars we got to use and we saw very neat birds. Even toucans! Lots of color and all different sizes and shapes. Our guide was awesome at making bird calls too. I did, however, get more cool insects on camera:
Another cool caterpillar
Crazy colored bug
We had a really yummy breakfast and then headed out for the second hike of the day. This one was much more relaxed as we meandered through the forest looking at bugs, plants, the river, and the ecosystem in general:
Breakfast!
Huge fern
Taking a break by the river
Shelby hopping mud puddles to the extreme!
Neat pink mushrooms
An armadillo hole! So cool!
Just messing around with the leaves
After our hike we had time to spend swimming in a water hole nearby. There were already some locals there relaxing too! Once you got used to the cold it was really fun. We even climbed up a small waterfall! Got a couple scrapes on the rocks but it was 100% worth it!
We had a delicious lunch, relaxed and played cards for a bit, and then got ready to go home. The bus ride was only suppose to be 2 hours but unfortunately it took a bit longer. As you can see above the roads are narrow. Well some large truck had a wheel issue that blocked up the road - no traffic going either direction for about an hour. The police had to come deliver a tire - we couldn't see what was happening but it was pretty crazy the number of people backed up.
A bunch of us sat in the back of the bus (maybe a bad choice after not much sleep - we all got a little queasy with the bumping). However, at the end of the ride (due to being over tired or something), we all got a fit of the giggles and laughed the whole last bit of the ride back. The rest of the bus was pretty much sleeping but we just couldn't stop laughing - it was pretty great!
I did sleep very well last night but I am still tired tonight! I'll probably post once more this weekend -- international student party tomorrow and a trip to the Quito market on Sunday (in between lots of hw, for sure!).
Monday-Friday of next week I head to the Amazon (via a plane, two boats, and two buses). I'm going to a research station called Tiputini which is suppose to be absolutely amazing - potentially a highlight of my whole time in Ecaudor. There I should see lots more insects and bigger animals too. I can't wait! So grateful for this amazing experience!
No comments:
Post a Comment