tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14379347231350660462024-03-13T10:20:25.701-07:00Fran's Amazon AdventureFranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16192152123259286110noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437934723135066046.post-66877823187234601442011-08-17T19:36:00.000-07:002011-08-30T10:43:46.367-07:00August 17 - Day 12<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Yes it was a </span><time hour="3" minute="0"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">3AM</span></time><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> wake up call – drank some coffee and 330AM met the representative from Rainforest Alliance for my transfer to </span><place><placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Quito</span></placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span><placetype><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Airport</span></placetype></place><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>American #932 departs at 640AM to </span><city><place><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Miami</span></place></city><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well typical – we were about 45 minutes late taking off due to maintenance, but better safe than sorry!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Believe it or not even with the flight being late, I made it through customs, pick up luggage and then checked back in for my flight to Orlando and then had to go back through security and I for one of the 1<sup>st</sup> times in Miami I didn’t have to travel for miles & miles and I made it to my flight and had plenty of time to spare!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>YEAH</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Safe flight to </span><city><place><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Orlando</span></place></city><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> and was met by John and he brought me home to see Jaylee and my kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">It was truly an Amazon Adventure</span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;"></span></div>Franhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16192152123259286110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437934723135066046.post-28471649338219954112011-08-16T19:35:00.000-07:002011-08-30T10:43:33.207-07:00August 16 - Day 11<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUKWLKUi5g95OKsOXOhmg1Y8hBeVBbYzNJ2n1d6Dnm3YcAx0w2oJmJqg83i_Q-Z-sIsel39MYxyGn12mDcSxxu9KDQt5fd9vpZQU68qOk67K6VDY4XHi_GWFXAVvwQGoD3NtAin3lStDwe/s1600/P1010585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUKWLKUi5g95OKsOXOhmg1Y8hBeVBbYzNJ2n1d6Dnm3YcAx0w2oJmJqg83i_Q-Z-sIsel39MYxyGn12mDcSxxu9KDQt5fd9vpZQU68qOk67K6VDY4XHi_GWFXAVvwQGoD3NtAin3lStDwe/s320/P1010585.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA9BNX-e3HwvDRvhSP-2K1N_9a5ioUvoGNVa7fJ8uVzLZQg2WEeOZQaQSSDQpYXyTQdo6KZ7CG1BG-obie4UgxjLds7VRe38GgIqxgn6OxvOWBUEH338Lnw_Mv9tYBhW7ka7la6G0TapTa/s1600/P1010600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA9BNX-e3HwvDRvhSP-2K1N_9a5ioUvoGNVa7fJ8uVzLZQg2WEeOZQaQSSDQpYXyTQdo6KZ7CG1BG-obie4UgxjLds7VRe38GgIqxgn6OxvOWBUEH338Lnw_Mv9tYBhW7ka7la6G0TapTa/s320/P1010600.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8i4LFDFf98uMTEP3txfcBjew0-ARY7x_0stUBPMlLna-y3oHC1hsusQaZLC7wzk6Fcu5EfzKGXgy-3OHcwFiRfyv3Kj9DstteZNNdAC-nc1y1LJWJF5UX-Oetn7LmAxGKksaE3DI07tcq/s1600/P1010599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8i4LFDFf98uMTEP3txfcBjew0-ARY7x_0stUBPMlLna-y3oHC1hsusQaZLC7wzk6Fcu5EfzKGXgy-3OHcwFiRfyv3Kj9DstteZNNdAC-nc1y1LJWJF5UX-Oetn7LmAxGKksaE3DI07tcq/s320/P1010599.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">We were up at 530AM but I was awake long before that with the animals and rain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a foggy haze over the river at the sunrise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a quick breakfast and left for our canoe ride back to Puerto Gregorio, where we got in the van and traveled to Coca.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During this 3 ½ hour ride we had another Toxic Tour, Jose showed us a video from Russ Kemp, The Battle for the Amazon (check this out on You Tube).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We stopped several times to see the flames that burn 24 – 7 and have for years, more African Palms – just terrible what is happening to the Amazon!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lumber industry destroying the forests, the oil pipelines, will give you a better idea of the harsh realities that face the Amazon region of </span><country-region><place><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Ecuador</span></place></country-region><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Upon arrival in Coca, Jose checked in our luggage and received our boarding passes for our 30 minute TAME flight back to </span><city><place><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Quito</span></place></city><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We departed about 1215PM and arrived at 1245PM, we were met at the airport by a representative from Rainforest Alliance and was transferred to the Marriott Quito.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We checked in and I went right to the shower and took a long hot shower and washed my hair 3 times!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was wonderful, I did feel guilty in wasting so much water, but in the past 9 days I didn’t use that much water . . . . . .</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">At 730PM we met with the Rainforest Alliance, USAID, managers from all the lodges to hear about our journey to the lodges and how things have changed from February to August in the short 6 months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">5 lodges in 9 days and I can not even count the number of canoe rides on many different types of canoes!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Back to the room for bed as I have a 3AM wake up call for my flight in the morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All my bags are packed and I’m ready to go.</span></div>Franhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16192152123259286110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437934723135066046.post-90193438775103616152011-08-15T19:35:00.000-07:002011-08-30T10:43:21.281-07:00August 15 - Day 10<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjznDNqE-D7w81sVyz-wilJOJuHs4ZgC2HXd122GT546ks18KppJo8_VL__NpxLgxw6jjOhHf9NnFqvjUZ17MgXvPtV9rXPzJ4liYTTlsagRtygBaohUHBojxNV8Y4eoD6oUrCwju81fxMe/s1600/P1010472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjznDNqE-D7w81sVyz-wilJOJuHs4ZgC2HXd122GT546ks18KppJo8_VL__NpxLgxw6jjOhHf9NnFqvjUZ17MgXvPtV9rXPzJ4liYTTlsagRtygBaohUHBojxNV8Y4eoD6oUrCwju81fxMe/s320/P1010472.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mVWVrA_r_TAprPrk3shB3jw6PALdqhgnM665ILKVxVdwvZipI7aWrwZ5812kU_FyzCbA69ZNpG2txGQyfbqBNQgW-9zzGn1nLI7N8w38bhdPa590G8gxbi_MKBUhT9xTTFR-v6NSdlOj/s1600/P1010579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mVWVrA_r_TAprPrk3shB3jw6PALdqhgnM665ILKVxVdwvZipI7aWrwZ5812kU_FyzCbA69ZNpG2txGQyfbqBNQgW-9zzGn1nLI7N8w38bhdPa590G8gxbi_MKBUhT9xTTFR-v6NSdlOj/s320/P1010579.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Up and moving by 6AM but found out that they changed the time we were going to meet to 8AM for a 45 minute canoe ride to Yasuní Underwater Interpretation Center.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had about 40 minute hike though the forest to the center.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is designed to educate and inform other local people and tourist about the endangered animals in the Amazon, and how they can protect them and their habitats from further harm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The exhibition has life-sized carvings of river dolphins, Amazon manatees, pirarucu (biggest freshwater fish), otters, turtles and numerous fish species; all swimming amongst flooded trees and roots of the rainforest during the high water season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was great and we enjoyed it and learned a great deal from the different exhibits. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a quick lunch before boarding our canoe for about 20 minutes to the motorboat, then another 40 minutes to </span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Puerto Providencia/Belen town, </span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">where we got into the van to driver to </span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Puerto Gregorio (located on the shores of the </span><place><placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Shushufindi</span></placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span><placetype><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">River</span></placetype></place><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">, which eventually becomes the </span><place><placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Aguarico</span></placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span><placetype><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">River</span></placetype></place><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This journey takes an hour, during which our guide, Jose provided information about the sites and landscapes found along the way. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was yet another Toxic Tour as we discussed about all the African Palm and the damage it is causing to the lands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The amount of forests that have been cut down will break your heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We arrived to Puerto Gregorio to our next canoe ride and were joined by our native guide to continue our journey to the Secoya Lodge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a brief introduction on the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve, which the Secoya’s territory borders, and is home to amazing flora and fauna.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">The Secoya Lodge is a very new lodge and includes three spacious palm</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Gothic"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">-t</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">hatched<i> </i>cabañas</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> each divided into two double rooms for a total capacity of 12 guests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The cabañas are constructed from sustainably harvested local building materials</span> of tropical hardwoods and traditional palm thatch, and are situated in a small clearing along the banks of the </span><place><placename><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Aguarico</span></placename><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span><placetype><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">River</span></placetype></place><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">. The cabins incorporate cultural elements of the Secoya people in design, construction, and decoration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Instead of closing clients off from the natural world that surrounds them, the cabañas at Secoya Lodge will immerse them in the sights and sounds of the Amazonian rain forest.</span> The walls of the cabañas are almost entirely made out of mosquito-resistant netting that will give clients both an excellent view of the surrounding forest, as well as natural air circulation to keep the cabins cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Another quick bite to eat and we set out to an area where we had a short hike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We returned to Secoya Lodge at sunset and we all hit the hammocks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They woke us up for dinner and guess what; we were back in the hammocks for another hour and then bed time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have another early morning wake up and we are headed back to </span><city><place><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Quito</span></place></city><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> tomorrow.</span>Franhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16192152123259286110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437934723135066046.post-70913539042543159262011-08-14T18:30:00.000-07:002011-08-30T10:42:58.650-07:00August 14 - Day 9<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">This morning wake up call again at </span><time hour="5" minute="0"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">5AM</span></time><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;"> – quick breakfast and by 545AM we were back in the canoe traveling to the </span><place><placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">Observation</span></placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><placetype><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">Tower</span></placetype></place><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, I did not do this but…..It was a </span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode";">short, ten minute walk through the forest to the 30m (100ft) tree tower, built around a giant, emergent Kapok tree. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looking out across the rainforest canopy at this level, gives you a unique perspective, opening up a whole new world of Amazon biodiversity that is often difficult, if not impossible to see. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The group did see the White-throated Toucan, some Red Howler Monkeys as well as a Harpy Eagle at quite the distance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We returned to the lodge to pick up our lunch and we set off for Panacocha in search for Pink Dolphin. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Panacocha is a </span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">protected forest reserve, (56,000 has) and is central to a biological corridor linking </span><place><placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Yasuní</span></placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span><placetype><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">National Park</span></placetype></place><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> and the Cuyabeno Wildlife Refuge. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Panacocha is classified as a </span><place><placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Humid</span></placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span><placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Tropical</span></placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span><placetype><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Forest</span></placetype></place><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">.</span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The canoe ride was about 2 – 2 ½ hours on the </span><place><placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode";">Napo</span></placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode";"> </span><placetype><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode";">River</span></placetype></place><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode";">, just as we started to travel into the lagoon the rain started.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all got our ponchos on and by the time we got into the lagoon it was really coming down good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was our 1<sup>st</sup> rain during the day that we have had on the entire trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But this is the less rainy season for the Amazon. . . . The rain was started to let up and we saw them – two pink dolphins, a mama and her baby!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were all very excited to see this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We traveled into the lagoon a bit more, for another 30 minutes or so, the rain had stopped so we ate our lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By now the sun was shining and Beth, Kate, Eric & Fredy decided to dive into to lagoon for a swim – they swam a bit and the rain started coming down again and hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They loaded back into the canoe and off we went back to the lodge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe it rained until we got back to where we had to pay to go into Panacocha; we were all wet and cold it was a long journey back to Sani on the </span><place><placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode";">Napo</span></placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode";"> </span><placetype><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode";">River</span></placetype></place><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode";">!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got back to the area where we have the 20 minute walk to the canal and they rain had stopped, finally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all boarded our canoe and as our guide Fredy got in, he said he tripped on a nail but….he fell out of the canoe and into the canal!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Needless to say all we could do at this point was to laugh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His face was priceless!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Got back to the lodge and changed clothes and a cup of coffee was in order as we were cold – followed closely by a beer or two as today was Kate’s 30<sup>th</sup> birthday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a cake made for her and surprised her at dinner – a little special birthday present in the Amazon!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After dinner we met with the general manager of Sani Lodge, Freddy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He explained how he taught himself to speak English and how he started out as a guide at the lodge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The community assists all the children with school as well as any medical issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have two schools one on each side of the river for the kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are about 130 students near Sani Lodge and about 20 students on the other side of the river.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here we did not have enough time to visit the community as we did at Kapawi or </span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">Huaoran</span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode";">i or even </span><place><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode";">Napo</span></place><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode";">. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are over 400 members of the comuna who make their living by subsistence agriculture and hunting as well as working for Sani Lodge and other lodges in the area. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They lived for many years in the Amazon Jungle an along the banks of the Rio Napo, accumulating experience and knowledge in forest living. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have an incredible knowledge of medicine plants, trees and lianas as well as wild life in the forest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finished up about 1030PM and bed time!</span></div>Franhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16192152123259286110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437934723135066046.post-84349257751339415732011-08-13T18:13:00.000-07:002011-08-30T10:42:44.289-07:00August 13 - Day 8<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzrC1yd1SU15S7iUSEFMubTvGuHSraRhSySoo7eeQkSrh9UbB7pzGVYUqbD7lVEWz3zFlWmNoV8DZgJ3IIx1zCPk4K8fU7x1bv0urrV2jvuoBM1yXLfC_7V7_754YQOJIzcNmAXDkL8QDh/s1600/P1010335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzrC1yd1SU15S7iUSEFMubTvGuHSraRhSySoo7eeQkSrh9UbB7pzGVYUqbD7lVEWz3zFlWmNoV8DZgJ3IIx1zCPk4K8fU7x1bv0urrV2jvuoBM1yXLfC_7V7_754YQOJIzcNmAXDkL8QDh/s320/P1010335.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw91RbW2Vxwuucd69hD0AmNpqgcMhCVrf6Fk1JZfVnadIt-VEF8ZsE1nFKblV38Gqp6RJ_wbuLPBsNtEDAxJXaGvqGvv6ukAG4szf1OzWLml5JBK5nPz2CNAEWgWh9OUDxdL1O-M777AlQ/s1600/P1010400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw91RbW2Vxwuucd69hD0AmNpqgcMhCVrf6Fk1JZfVnadIt-VEF8ZsE1nFKblV38Gqp6RJ_wbuLPBsNtEDAxJXaGvqGvv6ukAG4szf1OzWLml5JBK5nPz2CNAEWgWh9OUDxdL1O-M777AlQ/s320/P1010400.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">This morning we were early to rise again. . .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><time hour="5" minute="0"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">5AM</span></time><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;"> wake up call and had breakfast and set out at 545AM for a hike to the canopy tower at </span><place><placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">Napo</span></placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">Wildlife</span></placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><placetype><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">Center</span></placetype></place><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We et out in the canoe again towards the creek where we had a short 30 minute hike to the </span><place><placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">Canopy</span></placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><placetype><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">Tower</span></placetype></place><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;"> or </span><place><placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">Observation</span></placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><placetype><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">Tower</span></placetype></place><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tower is designed to last and provide maximum safety to users.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This magnificent building is<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>over 125 feet tall, is standing right next to a giant 155 feet Kapok tree where an ample platform provides great space for over 15 guests and their cameras, spotting scopes, tripods and binoculars gear or other equipment ready to enjoy the canopy of the rain forest! No one should miss this amazing highlight (except for me cause I could never climb that high!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But they said it has great views of troops of howler, capuchins, monk sakis or spider monkeys in the forest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When they returned to land we hiked about 20 - 30 more minutes to a waiting canoe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the route we did see monkeys, many types of birds as well as the rare long tailed potoo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We boarded our boat to </span><place><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">Napo</span></place><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">’s </span><place><placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">Welcome</span></placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><placetype><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">Center</span></placetype></place><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;"> were we had a quick snack before heading out to the clay lick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><place><placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">Napo</span></placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">Wildlife</span></placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><placetype><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">Center</span></placetype></place><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;"> is fortunate to have this very special clay here within, and have discovered almost a dozen exposed areas of this clay within the Reserve. Blinds have been built at the clay licks to welcome visitors. We sat there for quite some time before we finally saw the parrots arrive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We enjoyed watching this wonderful experience for about 45 minutes or so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This lick is typically visited by a thousand or more Cobalt-winged Parakeets. The noise is incredible!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We did spot 4 the Scarlet macaws, but the parakeets would not let them near the lick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had heard there had been a hawk in the area for the last 3 days so the parrots could not get to the lick, so by this day they were hungry!!!! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is almost certain that other small parakeets visit this clay lick, and new species for the region and </span><country-region><place><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">Ecuador</span></place></country-region><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;"> are just waiting to be discovered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were so loud that when we did leave we all laughed that our ears were ringing like we had been sitting up front at a rock concert!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We then returned back to the welcome center, about 20 minute walk on a great trail, and had a nice lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Following lunch we then boarded yet another motor canoe for a quick trip to the Anangu community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anangu people are active participants of the conservation and management of a large territory within the park as well as the partners in tourism. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Anangu people are helped by EcoEcuador Foundation which is part of the Tropical Nature Conservation System, a world leading group of ongoing ecotourism projects, all now working together on a nature tourism company.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We didn’t have much time, we watched them dance and sing and enjoyed dancing with them as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But time was short and we had to get to the next lodge, so we boarded the motor canoe traveling on the </span><place><placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">Napo</span></placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><placetype><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">River</span></placetype></place><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;"> to lodge #4 – Sani Lodge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We arrived and had about 20 minute walk on a wooden planked walkway to a canal where we boarded another canoe to take us about 20 minutes to Sani Lodge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode";">Deep within the Ecuadorian Amazon you will find a mysterious lake called Challuacocha, where floating water hyacinths and grasses obscure the shores.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sani Lodge is an Ecolodge dedicated to ecotourism, environmental conservation, and community projects in the Amazon rainforest of </span><country-region><place><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode";">Ecuador</span></place></country-region><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode";">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sani Lodge is owned and operated by members of the Sani community, meaning that with their extensive knowledge of the Amazon wildlife and biodiversity they can give Sani Lodge guests the true experience of the Ecuadorian Amazon jungle. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Here, the biodiversity will amaze you! On your adventure, you will walk through a pristine rainforest gallery that is home to 1,500 species of trees, hundreds of climbing vines, and exotic flowers, as well as 550 species of tropical birds, 13 species of monkeys and 1,000 species of beautiful butterflies</span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode";"> We were welcomed with nice cool welcome rum drink with cheese & fruits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have very little time and it was getting late so we decided to take in some fishing – piranha fishing that is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We boarded our canoe for about 30 minute ride to the fishing spot!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had 2 additional people on this journey with us, Andy & Sally from </span><city><place><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode";">Cambridge</span></place></city><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode";"> </span><country-region><place><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode";">England</span></place></country-region><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode";">!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We saw more birds & wildlife on this canoe ride than most of our journey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of the birds we saw were Kingfisher & the American pygmy kingfisher, herons, flycatchers, and many Hoatzins (Stinky Bird).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our guide Fredy also saved a yellow spotted turtle from the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our guide cut up the meat and baited our hooks and we were fishing……. One of our guides caught about 4 or 5 but only one was large enough to keep and they cooked for dinner that night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eric from our group also caught a small piranha!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We started canoeing back to the lodge just after sunset and it was the </span><stockticker><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode";">FULL</span></stockticker><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode";"> MOON…..<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were able to watch this large orange ball rise up into the sky – what terrific views we had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we were returning to the lodge we were able to spot many black caimans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Upon arrival to the lodge, we were given our rooms and washed up for dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We visited a bit, talked about the lodge and the next days adventure and off we were for bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>Franhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16192152123259286110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437934723135066046.post-50287262505743761732011-08-12T18:27:00.000-07:002011-08-30T10:42:30.056-07:00August 12 - Day 7 My Daddys Birthday!!!!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1eB5veaIAoGnZXzxOQhsUMKpQQHuephfFy5x5I5hCnsNsDo0SzhoYisXDL2DleAzcOa-iC6Mq3aDhI1cU9Sbh05lvAZ6pyr2f61C8wT7UfwGuBMlqBRZi5s63eaUKNEGUtj5ScSbMwBAN/s1600/P1010294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1eB5veaIAoGnZXzxOQhsUMKpQQHuephfFy5x5I5hCnsNsDo0SzhoYisXDL2DleAzcOa-iC6Mq3aDhI1cU9Sbh05lvAZ6pyr2f61C8wT7UfwGuBMlqBRZi5s63eaUKNEGUtj5ScSbMwBAN/s320/P1010294.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiprAE3ntCkWdGpd8YVB2qtm-Mr8akDZmG5ivMvgHdvZAFurCNDPLVIrrctGiKUQK8-h_-HQNX2KXEtm5YI38cVYYHinxyvXepCfCnoMXNVp99od9k18zocK417Aq3umjhIrI2Z9CXS3j4D/s1600/P1010329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiprAE3ntCkWdGpd8YVB2qtm-Mr8akDZmG5ivMvgHdvZAFurCNDPLVIrrctGiKUQK8-h_-HQNX2KXEtm5YI38cVYYHinxyvXepCfCnoMXNVp99od9k18zocK417Aq3umjhIrI2Z9CXS3j4D/s320/P1010329.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">Happy Birthday to my daddy Paul Whitlock</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">Today we will leave the Waorani territory and travel to </span><place><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">Napo</span></place><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This morning we boarded after breakfast we boarded our canoe, but this morning we are lucky to have a motorized canoe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But still it is difficult to sit still in the boat, working our core muscles out again!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We continue downstream emerging from the primary </span><place><placetype><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">forest</span></placetype><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;"> of </span><placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">Huaorani</span></placename></place><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;"> territory into the world of settlers and oil companies (although it all used to be Huaorani territory). At the point where a road built by oil companies in the early 1990s crosses the river, we leave the forest and head to “civilization”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The symbols of modern deforestation are the roads. They provide access and means for human populations to grow at a rapid rate, which affects indigenous peoples by displacing them from the best and most accessible agricultural soils (which aren’t particularly well-suited to begin with); reducing territory available for hunting and gathering; and encouraging them via settler example and government policy to increase their reliance on agriculture and timber extraction and to convert their land from communal resource.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here, we witness the crude reality of our collective thirst for oil as we ride alongside the miles of pipelines, which go from the Huaorani community of Tihuino to Lago Agrio, the oil hub of el Oriente, to be pumped across the Andes to the port of Esmeraldas and then onto a gas station near you. This brief journey through oil territory illustrates the reality of the threat facing the rainforest and the Huaorani people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a 2 ½ hour ride, we have reached the banks of the Rio Napo and the town of </span><city><place><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">Coca</span></place></city><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;"> where we meet with our representatives from </span><place><placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">Napo</span></placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">Wildlife</span></placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><placetype><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">Center</span></placetype></place><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;"> and guess what – our luggage too!!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes we did change clothes in the bathroom before we board the boat to </span><place><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">Napo</span></place><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We waited a bit for our boat to take up to </span><place><placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">Napo</span></placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">Wildlife</span></placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><placetype><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">Center</span></placetype></place><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">, after several hours they did show up and we boarded another motorized canoe to travel about 2 hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were able to see a beautiful sunset on the river.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Upon arriving at the entrance to the Napo Wildlife Center Reserve, we switch to smaller, dugout canoes and are paddled up the blackwater creek to the lake and lodge (no motorized transport is allowed on the creek or lake so that wildlife isn't disturbed).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The moon lit our way through the creek to the lodge as well as the fireflies and the glow worms in the creek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we got closer to the lodge we were able to spot the red eyes of the caimans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We arrived about </span><time hour="21" minute="0"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">9PM</span></time><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;"> and went right to the dining room for dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had a terrific dinner and there was a gentleman from the </span><country-region><place><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">Ecuador</span></place></country-region><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;"> version of the Miami Herald and we spoke with him for a few minutes before going to bed! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The </span><place><placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">Napo</span></placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">Wildlife</span></placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><placetype><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">Center</span></placetype></place><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;"> is a luxury eco-hotel in Amazonian Ecuador. This ecotourism project includes the conservation of approximately over 82 square miles of the most pristine </span><place><placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">Amazon</span></placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><placetype><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">Rain Forest</span></placetype></place><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;"> within the </span><place><placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">Yasuní</span></placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><placetype><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">National Park</span></placetype></place><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">, an important UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and the largest tract of tropical rain forest in </span><country-region><place><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">Ecuador</span></place></country-region><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lodge complex is located by the </span><place><placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">Anangucocha</span></placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><placetype><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">Lake</span></placetype></place><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">, within the unique ancestral territory of the Anangu Quichua Community, part of the </span><place><placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">Yasuní</span></placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><placetype><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">National Park</span></placetype></place><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">. In the early 90’ the community envisioned building their own lodge to provide themselves jobs and protecting their land.</span></div>Franhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16192152123259286110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437934723135066046.post-43010309931945294192011-08-11T18:21:00.000-07:002011-08-30T10:42:11.463-07:00August 11 - Day 6<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpc_i4Jc1xXGxiLUv2dsVkagOTRwk9M9FsMuxnvePHln5CRr_boPQctspLKV1udrAOGyeEXeA1_njAHTE8z1XwvjlISvCy3kybamZv2_5UAczS8A7q1B5S_TDRzKlWYcaWili_I6006inL/s1600/P1010211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpc_i4Jc1xXGxiLUv2dsVkagOTRwk9M9FsMuxnvePHln5CRr_boPQctspLKV1udrAOGyeEXeA1_njAHTE8z1XwvjlISvCy3kybamZv2_5UAczS8A7q1B5S_TDRzKlWYcaWili_I6006inL/s320/P1010211.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjldzfOuOG5Zw_LW-G1Xz2YTNgkNJdEZk9748HjVqVIq3ImnJrfELlQIocJoCx5oNG15Vwk3c18e1U6eZku9RgdQ6AV-vNUemJF4Mtv-FK3YWHgbHIPje82__BhFdVC_KpS19aGXYaFIMIi/s1600/P1010279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjldzfOuOG5Zw_LW-G1Xz2YTNgkNJdEZk9748HjVqVIq3ImnJrfELlQIocJoCx5oNG15Vwk3c18e1U6eZku9RgdQ6AV-vNUemJF4Mtv-FK3YWHgbHIPje82__BhFdVC_KpS19aGXYaFIMIi/s320/P1010279.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">This morning we were able to sleep in, </span><time hour="7" minute="0"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">7AM</span></time><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;"> wake up call.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a nice breakfast, packed our – oh wait no we don’t have any luggage so easy to get ready – we are traveling today about 6 - 7 LONG hours to our accommodations very peaceful and we were able to spot many birds while traveling along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were poling down the </span><place><placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">Shiripuno</span></placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><placetype><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">River</span></placetype></place><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;"> in order to enjoy the sights & sounds of the rainforest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sun was not as hot as it was still fairly early.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>About 2 – 2 ½ hours we did stop at the Apika community – this was completely different from the earlier visit to the Achuar community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here they were signing and dancing, they loved to have their photos taken and with all digital cameras the young children loved to see their photos, really so did the adults so was a lot of fun here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The women all danced together and laughed so hard and then the men got together with their flutes and palm leaves and danced from on side of the hut to the other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Singing and laughing all the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the young lads took a liking to Kate and all the men started pushing them together, soon the ladies all joined in and afterwards we found out they were married.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kate then had to serve everyone chicha (no still not trying this!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few minutes later all the men embraced another young boy and started shaking him and dancing with them trying to give him their energy, they were rubbing him and holding him. . . . This was so authentic, not at all a show – very real feelings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They explained to us a bit how endangered the Yasuní Reserve is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was a great stop able to stretch our legs a bit from the dugout canoe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was soon time to complete our journey for the day, the kids were swimming and some thought was a good idea for a short break for a quick swim to cool off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We continue to the campsite, but the heat of the sun and no padding on the canoe seats – we have to make many stops!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the boat was moving, we struggled to keep still we were all hoping that we were strengthening our core muscles, but my legs were cramped from sitting in a near-fetal position.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The 6-7 hour journey ends at the Nenquepare campsite where your tents were already ready for us on wooden platforms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here there is only one bathroom and shower – they are in the works to add more bathrooms & showers!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Following a nice lunch we put on our rubber boots and set off with our guide Javier & Eme and the general manager Jascivan Carvalho to the waterfall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This hour hike was hell for this 50 year old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Much up and down and mud, I happily accepted the offer to use a walking stick and felt much better!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we got to the steps – I would swear there were over 2,000 but that maybe stretching it just a bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until the steps were built (within the last 6 months) one would rappel to the waterfall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These nice new steps were STEEP and there were a lot!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I lost count but I did make it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The waterfall felt great and was beautiful. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But all I kept thinking about was the climb back up and the journey back to the lodge and if I would really make it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the others were putting their boots back on, I decided to start climbing / hiking up the steps – my thighs were burning and legs were shaking like crazy but I MADE IT!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t easy but I did do it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sure needed the waterfall again as soon as I returned to the lodge!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We rested a bit and visited with each other amazed that we are only at day 6 and only 4 days in the Amazon as we have experience so much in such a short time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Following our dinner we talked with the team about improvements that could be made to update the lodge and the campsites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All to soon it was time for bed, the moon was shining brightly – would guess about 2 more days until the Full Moon, but it lit up the sky and where our tent was situated the moon shone through in the middle of the night – it was awesome!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was a long day sitting all day in the canoe!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>Franhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16192152123259286110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437934723135066046.post-83819607435576422552011-08-10T18:19:00.000-07:002011-08-30T10:41:58.299-07:00August 10 - Day 5<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3U3R99fwKRdpW2XhXBWuSA0o-vyE_XOPzOWjEINrcdLROImwGTY7jylky32fZyP2jBJYbborGV4V05pNcL3UtWkVSBpwBKJ39__C5wSsXrYzHSvXlTJACAH-smW6pox-vczMd5G1QUQD/s1600/P1010137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3U3R99fwKRdpW2XhXBWuSA0o-vyE_XOPzOWjEINrcdLROImwGTY7jylky32fZyP2jBJYbborGV4V05pNcL3UtWkVSBpwBKJ39__C5wSsXrYzHSvXlTJACAH-smW6pox-vczMd5G1QUQD/s320/P1010137.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhCYY2U0Kqo5I5I19Y2iw8wOALAdde0nbXVow4GhV6vdDko7V55g3An0bX-XoQe4VOYhNdstR1BIZhAIWevxK_B7rH8PgCu1sfc1bgRJUEEbjHJAv4I5v29PiL8b-mTX4n4VkLKWNX__PM/s1600/P1010195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhCYY2U0Kqo5I5I19Y2iw8wOALAdde0nbXVow4GhV6vdDko7V55g3An0bX-XoQe4VOYhNdstR1BIZhAIWevxK_B7rH8PgCu1sfc1bgRJUEEbjHJAv4I5v29PiL8b-mTX4n4VkLKWNX__PM/s320/P1010195.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Camping was okay – but a wake up call at 350AM is not!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>UGH…..<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we all got up and walked back to the Sua house for our Guayusa ceremony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">The Achuar ‘s believe that each night you die and in the morning you participate in the cleansing and rebirth, they typically rise at this hour to drink guayusa, a caffeinated tea grown in the forest. It is during this time when fathers pass on values to their children, mothers teach skills to their daughters and dreams are interpreted. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I mentioned, the </span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Achuar’s are a dream-based culture, every aspect of their daily lives is lived through the interpretation of their dreams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">So we entered the dark hut lit only by a couple candles, the leader is making a crown and the wife is painting clay bowls for her family to use or to sell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is this large hot pot of this tea “guayusa” and we drank as much as we could possibly hold until we excused ourselves to the outside where we threw up to cleanse ourselves, a rebirth of new energy if you may.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We then returned and the wife offers us – yes more Chicha. . . . as a part of this formal ritual the leader explains our dreams to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was followed by the women learning how the women paint the bowls and other handiwork they do as the master showed the men how to weave baskets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They take about 5 strands of hair and attach to a stick for their very fine paint brushes, need a thicker paint brush, she uses more hair!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is quite the job and she does beautiful work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We did try our luck at painting the straight line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just after sunrise we depart for our campsite and our return journey to Kapawi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Back at the lodge we eat breakfast with the general manager as he explains the updates that the Ecolodge has made over the past 6 months from the 1<sup>st</sup> visit from the Rainforest Alliance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1030AM and it is departure time from the lodge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have our last look at the lodge (and little did we know our luggage too) as we set off in our canoe for a 30 minute ride to the airstrip this is where we met up with our 6<sup>th</sup> traveling companion as she arrives from Quito.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We board our 9 passenger plane for our next flight for Huaorani Ecolodge this is only the 2<sup>nd</sup> time this 1 hour & 45 minute flight has been made (the first time was in February 2011).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Typically you will depart Kapawi and return to Shell but not us we flew to Bameno Airstrip!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a nice greeting by the Huaorani people we realized that 3 of the now 6 people traveling did not have their luggage, it was now camping at Kapawi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not like there are other flights traveling as I said this is only the 2<sup>nd</sup> time this flight has happened and we are in the middle of the Amazon jungle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So fortunately my in country partner, Maria from Latin Roots, was traveling with us and she suggested that Kapawi send the luggage to Shell on the next flight and we would have someone from Napo Wildlife Lodge pick up the luggage and take to their lodge where we will be staying in 3 days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, this was just something else to add to our adventure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We laughed it off and got ready to STINK for the next couple days!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other 3 people traveling with us said they would not change either until we all could.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now that is sticking together – or stinking together – not sure which!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">Okay so we have arrived by plane to a grass airstrip at Bameno Airstrip - From the airstrip we poled downstream in dugout canoes along the </span><place><placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">Shiripuno</span></placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><placetype><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">River</span></placetype></place><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;"> to the lodge which was about 30 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have finally arrived at Huaorani Ecolodge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Huaorani Ecolodge is located in the Waorani territory is designed to provide an intimate, harmonious and environmentally sustainable experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Staying at the lodge is way to share time with the Huaorani and experience the richness of their natural environment, while creating the least possible impact on the surroundings, keeping in mind that you are within the Yasuní Biosphere Reserve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lodge is cozy and provides accommodations for a maximum of ten people housed in five comfortable, traditionally built, palm thatched cabins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All cabins are fully meshed to keep you safe from biting insects, and are spaced to provide privacy and a chance to enjoy the sounds of the balmy Amazon nights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a nice lunch, an introductory briefing about the Huaorani and their relationship with the rainforest - checked out the cabins and decided a nice hike is in order for the afternoon early evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our word here is Waponi, this means beautiful, everything in balance – it is also a traditional greeting of the Huaorani tribes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We found again that many of the trees and plants can be used for medicinal purposes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We found tree bark for shampoo, monkey brush, plant they used to use for a toothbrush so we had our hygiene covered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also ate lemon ants and yes they did have the lemon tang to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also learned how to use the blow gun and throw a spear – no animal need worry about me in the forest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got vines to make crowns when we return to the lodge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We made it back to the lodge just after sunset and I was hot and sweaty so I took a cold shower and felt a bit better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were lucky enough to meet with Moi Enomenga.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Moi </span><span class="bodytext1"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">has gained a measure of fame for his feature roles in "New Yorker" articles describing the Huaorani and their struggle against the oil companies, for being the main character in the book "Savages" by Joe Kane, and for playing a prominent role in an NBC documentary telling of his struggle to protect Huaorani land from oil companies. Moi's community, Quehueri'ono, is our counterpart in this joint venture. Moi believes that ecotourism is a means by which his people can receive an income while maintaining the integrity of Huaorani culture and conserving their rainforest territory, thus enhancing the sustainability of their lifestyles and cultures and encouraging their efforts to resist the more destructive initiatives of the oil industry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Moi received the National Geographic Society / Buffett 2011 for conservation in </span></span><place><span class="bodytext1"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">Latin America</span></span></place><span class="bodytext1"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">Enomenga's tireless campaign to protect the land helped the Huaorani secure legal title to </span><place><placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">Yasuní</span></placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><placetype><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">National Park</span></placetype></place><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">, the largest indigenous territory in </span><country-region><place><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">Ecuador</span></place></country-region><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;"> and a U.N. biosphere reserve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After visiting with him a bit we worked on making our crowns and then had dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We listened to some wonderful stories about the Huaorani people from our guide Javier until it was so late we had to go to bed, after all it was a VERY early morning for us and lots of miles of traveling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tomorrow we have a long ride in the dugout canoe to our campsite. . .</span></div>Franhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16192152123259286110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437934723135066046.post-9176144295296576312011-08-09T18:26:00.000-07:002011-08-30T10:41:35.007-07:00August 9 - Day 4<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9lDsSz1rhtXvvcYHnjbdnRy4VZ7WGs4oDMI6G51mFQe-u-neb7X5yeSipy0SUZcdFiBSzEC7fk_YFmo2wGGOfFo25YirwZPYqiJhvGLud2TquovpxvsmV0Z41y503aQLvuA8BBrECDVWT/s1600/P1010103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9lDsSz1rhtXvvcYHnjbdnRy4VZ7WGs4oDMI6G51mFQe-u-neb7X5yeSipy0SUZcdFiBSzEC7fk_YFmo2wGGOfFo25YirwZPYqiJhvGLud2TquovpxvsmV0Z41y503aQLvuA8BBrECDVWT/s320/P1010103.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ2ZwTF818jaoziTKE2XqmxDMQkA_L2bPfptSDcwnNngf90JANV_E8hEP5kR0SXeKdEmc1TLg5Tkrb0APw6QodXdWB18yAKgh3CLK3bLGpympYA9bCgihyphenhyphenZ5PtaaOieFX2PZ4i9Gk-npJl/s1600/P1010095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ2ZwTF818jaoziTKE2XqmxDMQkA_L2bPfptSDcwnNngf90JANV_E8hEP5kR0SXeKdEmc1TLg5Tkrb0APw6QodXdWB18yAKgh3CLK3bLGpympYA9bCgihyphenhyphenZ5PtaaOieFX2PZ4i9Gk-npJl/s320/P1010095.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">We had a beautiful sunrise this morning – We have a full day ahead of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After breakfast we will set off to the Sua Community again….. First we stopped by the parrot clay lick and saw the blue & green macaws, parakeets and it was a great experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We traveled up river a bit further to our next stop, dressed in our rubber boots (provided by the lodge) we disembark our canoe for a nature hike to learn about the different plants and how one can survive in the woods and how they have for years. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was about 3 hour hike – the trails were good, not a lot of hills to climb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We saw many different animals – fresh jaguar paw prints chasing a deer, leaf cutter ants, learned how the different plants can help shelter you as well as feed you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rested a bit at a small waterfall – well maybe it would be larger during the rainy season, but we learned about how the Achuar people lived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We returned to our canoe to finish our journey to the Sua community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had lunch and again went over the rules for the visit to the leaders’ home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No photographs are to be taken, avoid any physical contact with the members of the community, do not enter an Achuar house without an invitation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Achuar are very jealous, if you are a man you are not to look directly at a woman’s face, Nijiamanch (chicha) the manioc beer is always offered, refusing might be considered an insult.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you do not like this drink, just hold the bowl on your hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So knowing this we arrived at the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Three things we needed to remember to say. . .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Wina jai”, which means Good Morning or Good Afternoon; “Wea jai” meaning Goodbye and “Maketai” which is Thank you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good manners for us all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Our guide Simone spoke to the master of the house and he invited us in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We entered all saying Wina jai and he responded the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The house has two areas, the “tankamash” and the “ekent”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tankamash is primarily the living area where the master sits on a wood carved seat as he receives his guests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The women service chicha to the guests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the ekent you will find beds for the women & children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also a fireplace is located and all the meals are made including the chicha.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">We sat a few minutes as the master was weaving a basket and he a Simone chatted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were served the chicha and YES, I just held the bowl as one sniff of this was enough for me!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We then introduced ourselves and what we did and why we were there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After this we could then ask any questions we could think of. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We asked about the community and the culture as this was part of the reason for our visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He played his flute for us and told us about his family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were then visited by other women in the community with their handicrafts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They placed their hard work on large banana leaves and the money goes to candles, batteries and school supplies for the children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kapawi also assist with the studies for the children in all the surrounding communities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">We soon left as we had to set up our tents for camping before night fall, but was reminded that he would see us at </span><time hour="4" minute="0"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">4AM</span></time><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> for our Guayusa ceremony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got to our campsites and the guides began putting up the tents as we went for a swim in a small swimming hole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Guess it had been a while since they visited this community, as the swimming hole was just a bit of water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It did not look very inviting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(they visit several different communities – they are on a rotation – so no community gets much tourist interaction)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We then asked if we could swim in the river – so that is exactly what we did! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The current was very strong and the water was very cold, which felt great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I am not much of a swimmer so I slowly got in and enjoyed the cold water, a great contrast from the heat of the Amazon!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had another beautiful sunset as we were enjoying the water and soon I was ready to get out of the river and dry off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a wonderful dinner by candlelight and as it was dark – we were off to bed in our tents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to add here – the last time I camped was about 33 years ago…..<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;"></span></i></div>Franhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16192152123259286110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437934723135066046.post-79571094308967923472011-08-08T18:25:00.000-07:002011-08-30T10:40:52.323-07:00August 8 - Day 3<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXPEmKDjM-TBhL7XtROqkrGEvgLEJupehGfDGDKN1MTHuZUT1iHwnZGROX-JrCaVWBD7VFm6WsjVoCIUiAvHI4ChIUl7BNb-O12TDeiXO44QaXowwk1f_Z3CV0MV-Six67NIgRxABAYKt/s1600/P1010002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXPEmKDjM-TBhL7XtROqkrGEvgLEJupehGfDGDKN1MTHuZUT1iHwnZGROX-JrCaVWBD7VFm6WsjVoCIUiAvHI4ChIUl7BNb-O12TDeiXO44QaXowwk1f_Z3CV0MV-Six67NIgRxABAYKt/s320/P1010002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8QscpD5_mZjAmaMCLgtGCK6xg1cvTAtsYth7Jdf11JNnqQRTEjS9c3JBK6byUjK55VMmGxTVK_jKkH3q8GpzmslHzFXgyPw6z88faJheSJHeLGLQEIIMquhAm5Q-AhhnYIeNnRAkWf_TB/s1600/P1010073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8QscpD5_mZjAmaMCLgtGCK6xg1cvTAtsYth7Jdf11JNnqQRTEjS9c3JBK6byUjK55VMmGxTVK_jKkH3q8GpzmslHzFXgyPw6z88faJheSJHeLGLQEIIMquhAm5Q-AhhnYIeNnRAkWf_TB/s320/P1010073.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">Adventure – Adventure – Adventure</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">This is like no other journey I have been on!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">We departed from the Marriott Quito at </span><time hour="6" minute="0"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;">6AM</span></time><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt;"> traveling South through the Avenue of the Volcanoes for travel to Shell Airstrip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was about 4 ½ hours with stop for bathroom and photos of Cotopaxi Volcano.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a very scenic route traveling past Banos </span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">down the majestic </span><place><placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Pastaza</span></placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span><placetype><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">River</span></placetype></place><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> canyon, filled with waterfalls and a beautiful entrance to the Amazon rainforest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We then boarded our 9 passenger plane that would fly us to the Achuar community; this flight was about 45 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were then met by our native guide from Kapawi Ecolodge & Reserve and traveled about 30 minutes in a canoe into the beauty and tranquility of this remote part of the world. We traveled up the </span><place><placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Pastaza</span></placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span><placetype><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">River</span></placetype></place><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">, then into the smaller </span><place><placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Capahuari</span></placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span><placetype><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">River</span></placetype></place><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> and finally arrived at Kapawi Ecolodge & Reserve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kapawi Ecolodge is situated deep in the nearly two million acres of the Achuar people's traditional territory near the confluence of the Pastaza and Capahuari Rivers-the former a major, the latter a minor tributary of the Amazon-near the border between Ecuador and Peru. This area is one of the most remote and well-protected parts of the western </span><place><placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Amazon</span></placename><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span><placetype><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Basin</span></placetype></place><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">. It is a remote and pristine region, untouched by logging, mining or petroleum extraction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kapawi Ecolodge offers many activities from bird watching, hiking, clay lick visit, kayaking & canoeing, fishing, camping and Achuar community visits. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Achuar comes from the word achu meaning “morete” a sort of palm that grows in flooded areas and shuar meaning people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Achuar people believe in multiple spirits that give them the guide-lines for a harmonic relationship with the rain forest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They believe strongly in their dreams and use them in their everyday life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Achuar have been self-sufficient and autonomous, sustaining their family groups through hunting and gardening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The most important foot and beverage is the nijiamanch (chicha).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is made by the fermentation of previously chewed yuca.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The women are in charge of making and serving this drink to their family and guests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This drink is more important to them than food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After this has fermented several days it is stronger than our beer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfermented chicha is served to the children as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Well we only have one full day here and much to see and do – so after we saw Kapawi Ecolodge ate some lunch and watched a video about the lodge we were ready to set out on our afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was about </span><time hour="15" minute="0"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">3PM</span></time><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> and the 5 of us from Rainforest Alliance set out for a canoe ride to the Sua community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Along the way we stopped enroute to check out the blue & green macaws and turned off the boat to listen and enjoy the macaws…. Getting ready to head back out and you guessed it, the boat would not start - either no oil or no gas, but we were not going anywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Simple just call for help on the radio. . .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>. . the adventure continues as they forgot the radio – knowing there would be another boat to come in this area we paddled by hand to the beach area where we waited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We walked around a bit and waited for our boat to arrive and rescue us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We did get back to the lodge just after sunset – ate dinner and off for a short night hike around Kapawi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We saw spiders, walking sticks, ants, frogs and several other types of insects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We returned to our room and time for bed and another fun filled day of adventure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>Franhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16192152123259286110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437934723135066046.post-56046388256784195232011-08-07T06:06:00.000-07:002011-08-07T15:14:53.706-07:00August 7 - Quito<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Tr1eUbWbzRYUofTwc8TnMo-qbGeH5Dy1d5nahgmc94nZVpuEgodiU83PrfdvUca3DN1riz86uGR6pfWoz06bTHfcmPs4b7dnvGaEdihoss90EIpvBv15cAcT90uhzt_fXFGgQv3nJ_eR/s1600/P1010006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Tr1eUbWbzRYUofTwc8TnMo-qbGeH5Dy1d5nahgmc94nZVpuEgodiU83PrfdvUca3DN1riz86uGR6pfWoz06bTHfcmPs4b7dnvGaEdihoss90EIpvBv15cAcT90uhzt_fXFGgQv3nJ_eR/s320/P1010006.JPG" t$="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjof2wmL1xQk-8pB05dXD51-fMX3REeJEDsD-TfASJaaNFyqDS4f0QE_eJW9TXeny5AV8hzJebO4LvhEd8vmIJtEcYWzNIJ7_ySg0DsThW3k0s73kh3503JXeMkAWewlK2QxWRp8IVztBeE/s1600/P1010034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjof2wmL1xQk-8pB05dXD51-fMX3REeJEDsD-TfASJaaNFyqDS4f0QE_eJW9TXeny5AV8hzJebO4LvhEd8vmIJtEcYWzNIJ7_ySg0DsThW3k0s73kh3503JXeMkAWewlK2QxWRp8IVztBeE/s320/P1010034.JPG" t$="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDB4AC-GgfwkO0xm9nfPMdlekwtj-nI-vzNjoFsApDLTfd3WY6lLLUglxJajwMVdMkoA6JU_wpbDJSl8x2_0rAIfijZtlyljcNDnsiTI1CWNsjbFcdICbbpFouRiE_GbWGFEb7wpuq53x/s1600/P1010056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDB4AC-GgfwkO0xm9nfPMdlekwtj-nI-vzNjoFsApDLTfd3WY6lLLUglxJajwMVdMkoA6JU_wpbDJSl8x2_0rAIfijZtlyljcNDnsiTI1CWNsjbFcdICbbpFouRiE_GbWGFEb7wpuq53x/s320/P1010056.JPG" t$="true" width="240px" /></a></div>Greetings from Quito! <br />
With traveing the flight is the 1st part of the adventure. . . .traveling from Florida in the summer even more so. You have to Try to Reason with Hurrican Season. . . .We were delayed in arriving into Miami yesterday and delayed leaving Miami to arrive in Quito. But an uneventful flight we arrived in Quito, made it through customs and met the transfer to take me to the hotel! <br />
Today I woke up to the Mountains!! This is exciting for this FLORIDA girl! Quito can still take my breath away! Quito is at 9,200 feet above sea level - Whew.....<br />
Today I am off with Paulina our in country partner to explore the city! Even though this is my 2nd trip to Ecuador there is so much to do and see. My last journey here John & I traveled to the Galapagos - but Ecuador offers so much to be one of the smallest countries in South America. So more this afternoon after I do some exploring!<br />
Was a nice day today - weather about 23C no jacket required!!! Couple photos from the day. The 1st are roses which are everywhere in Quito!!! I had to take time to stop and smell the roses at each place! The photo of me at the City Center and the 3 photos are showing the 4 different parts of Ecuador, the coast, the highlands, the Amazon and The Galapagos. The last photo was our desert from lunch! We ate at the Grand Plaza and lunch was terrific, happy we still had a bit of walking to do after we finished this!!! <br />
Anyway, Come Monday - I am off to the Amazon and not sure when I will update the blog again but stay tune for updates!!!! Have a wonderful evening! Franhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16192152123259286110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437934723135066046.post-79405738650904431382011-08-04T14:08:00.000-07:002011-08-04T14:08:37.697-07:00Prelude to my adventure<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir LT Std 35 Light"; font-size: 11pt;">I will soon be off to begin my adventure to the Amazon of Ecuador!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span class="articletext10"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Avenir LT Std 35 Light"; font-size: 11pt;">I am traveling to </span></span><country-region><place><span class="articletext10"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Avenir LT Std 35 Light"; font-size: 11pt;">Ecuador</span></span></place></country-region><span class="articletext10"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Avenir LT Std 35 Light"; font-size: 11pt;"> with Rainforest Alliance (<a href="http://www.rainforestalliance.org/"><span style="color: purple;">www.rainforestalliance.org</span></a>) to visit several different lodges in the Ecuadorian Amazon. I will visit Kapawi Ecolodge, Huaorani Ecolodge, Sani Lodge, and </span></span><place><placename><span class="articletext10"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Avenir LT Std 35 Light"; font-size: 11pt;">Napo</span></span></placename><span class="articletext10"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Avenir LT Std 35 Light"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><placename><span class="articletext10"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Avenir LT Std 35 Light"; font-size: 11pt;">Wildlife</span></span></placename><span class="articletext10"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Avenir LT Std 35 Light"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><placetype><span class="articletext10"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Avenir LT Std 35 Light"; font-size: 11pt;">Center</span></span></placetype></place><span class="articletext10"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Avenir LT Std 35 Light"; font-size: 11pt;"> and </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Avenir LT Std 35 Light"; font-size: 11pt;">Secoya Lodge </span><span class="articletext10"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Avenir LT Std 35 Light"; font-size: 11pt;">in order to focus on site implementation plans aimed at better positioning sustainable community-based tourism projects. Community-based tourism is used as a means to conserve local biodiversity and culture by implementing sustainable practices.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir LT Std 35 Light"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The Amazon is the world's largest river basin, covering an area larger than three-fourths of the continental </span><country-region><place><span style="font-family: "Avenir LT Std 35 Light"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">United States</span></place></country-region><span style="font-family: "Avenir LT Std 35 Light"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two-thirds of this area is filled with the world's largest and oldest tropical rainforest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Amazon Rainforest covers parts of nine countries of </span><place><city><span style="font-family: "Avenir LT Std 35 Light"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">South America</span></city><span style="font-family: "Avenir LT Std 35 Light"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">, </span><country-region><span style="font-family: "Avenir LT Std 35 Light"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Brazil</span></country-region></place><span style="font-family: "Avenir LT Std 35 Light"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">, </span><country-region><place><span style="font-family: "Avenir LT Std 35 Light"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Bolivia</span></place></country-region><span style="font-family: "Avenir LT Std 35 Light"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">, </span><country-region><place><span style="font-family: "Avenir LT Std 35 Light"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Colombia</span></place></country-region><span style="font-family: "Avenir LT Std 35 Light"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">, </span><country-region><place><span style="font-family: "Avenir LT Std 35 Light"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Ecuador</span></place></country-region><span style="font-family: "Avenir LT Std 35 Light"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">, </span><country-region><place><span style="font-family: "Avenir LT Std 35 Light"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Peru</span></place></country-region><span style="font-family: "Avenir LT Std 35 Light"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">, </span><country-region><place><span style="font-family: "Avenir LT Std 35 Light"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Guyana</span></place></country-region><span style="font-family: "Avenir LT Std 35 Light"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">, </span><place><city><span style="font-family: "Avenir LT Std 35 Light"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">French Guiana</span></city><span style="font-family: "Avenir LT Std 35 Light"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">, </span><country-region><span style="font-family: "Avenir LT Std 35 Light"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Suriname</span></country-region></place><span style="font-family: "Avenir LT Std 35 Light"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> and </span><country-region><place><span style="font-family: "Avenir LT Std 35 Light"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Venezuela</span></place></country-region><span style="font-family: "Avenir LT Std 35 Light"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir LT Std 35 Light"; font-size: 11pt;">The Amazon </span><place><placetype><span style="font-family: "Avenir LT Std 35 Light"; font-size: 11pt;">basin</span></placetype><span style="font-family: "Avenir LT Std 35 Light"; font-size: 11pt;"> of </span><placename><span style="font-family: "Avenir LT Std 35 Light"; font-size: 11pt;">Ecuador</span></placename></place><span style="font-family: "Avenir LT Std 35 Light"; font-size: 11pt;"> covers an area of nearly 40% of the country. The rainforest is home to a wide range of species, many of whom are yet to be discovered and named.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Toucans, parrots, caimans, pink dolphins and a hundred species of butterflies and insects exist within an incredible biodiversity of plants.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir LT Std 35 Light"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The rainforest’s vegetation constantly is converting carbon dioxide into oxygen causing the Amazon Rainforest to generate 20% of the world’s oxygen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another great resource from the Amazon environment is the </span><place><span style="font-family: "Avenir LT Std 35 Light"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Amazon River</span></place><span style="font-family: "Avenir LT Std 35 Light"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> that flows from the Peruvian Andes along east across most part of </span><place><span style="font-family: "Avenir LT Std 35 Light"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Northern South America</span></place><span style="font-family: "Avenir LT Std 35 Light"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">. The river is about 16% of the world’s river water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The river also is one of the most habituated places on earth, along with its surroundings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Avenir LT Std 35 Light"; font-size: 11pt;">The </span><place><span style="font-family: "Avenir LT Std 35 Light"; font-size: 11pt;">Amazon River</span></place><span style="font-family: "Avenir LT Std 35 Light"; font-size: 11pt;"> is home to the highest number of fish in the world and has 2,500 to 3,000 different species.</span><span style="font-family: "Avenir LT Std 35 Light"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div>Franhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16192152123259286110noreply@blogger.com0