Rainforest Friends

Here is a close up look at some of our friends from the rain forest. We decided to give the kids some up close in person views before heading down the Rio Napo into the real jungle. Just in case we didn´t see much up close.

Park Amazonia

In Tena, Ecuador, our first stop in Amazonia, we took off our shoes and waded across this river to go to an animal reserve. It turns out we were the only ones willing to do it. We got a private tour of the reserve and saw tons of animals that roam free in the park. The little coati loved sniffing our legs. Little man T got bit by a goose. The monkeys loved checking us out.

On the way back, the administrator on duty gave us a boat ride back and thats when we snapped this photo.

Cruising in Baños

Little T got his wish to ride in a mini dune buggy. Little man T is into anything motorized or that has a loud bang!

We rented these little vehicles and cruised around Baños, Ecuador one afternoon. We headed up towards a volcano but turned around when the road got a little rough. These suckers had no reverse.
Other highlights in Baños...
1) soaking in the hot springs
2) the loft in our hostel room
3) the zipline swing at the kids park

Central Ecuador

Traveling up the center of Ecuador. We stopped in Cuenca, Alausi, and Baños before heading to the Amazon.

THOSE GUINEA PIGS

Back in the Andes...Cuenca, Ecuador, we finally had the cuy! This was popular in Peru as well. We made a reservation and had the proper roasted guinea pig. It was quite yummy. The outer skin was crispy, like pork (pig skin) Both the boys in the family kliked that part. The girls, not so much. The meat was tender and definitly had marinnated in some garlic for a day or two. It was served with the giant corn and potatoes.

Farewell to Vilcabamba

We finally said good bye to the valley of longevity. We spent a month living and relaxing in this special place. We met some wonderful people and someday we may return. We have a little more knowledge of the raw food diet, insects that we can only read about in the states, and a few new conspiracy theories to mull over in the back of our minds as we return to the other way of life.

Ciao and Adios for now!

Insects Galore!

We discovered there are all kinds of creatures here in Ecuador. Nootch enjoyed following Grandpa around the Rumi Wilco nature reserve looking for critters. Unfortunately, some large nasty insects found their way into our house in town.

Last few days in Vilcabamba

We found a great waterslide in Vilcabamba that we frequented. Nootch and daddy took a 5 hour horseback ride through the mountains of Vilcabamba before we left.

The Great Kapok Tree

Most any K-3rd grader knows who lives in a Kapok tree. It is one of my favorite ¨teaching ¨picture books! Here it is, right in the Vilcabamba jungle. Though it might look like it´s being strangled, it is really living in symbiosis with a vital fig tree.

WALKING STICK INSECTS!!!!

Insect Mania down here!!!! From Stain glass looking butterflies giant stag beetles and yes, even a scorpion!

PADDLE BOAT RIDES

Hanging Out

We are spending our days playing in the yard with our friends across the street...Sophia (7) and Jose (2 1/2). The kids like exploring the new types of foliage. Check out these coffee fruits. Inside is a coffee bean. The banana leaves make a great kid fort. I think this is a photo of the banana fort at the park next to our house.

More Cool Slides!!!!

This park is in Loja, Ecuador. It´s about an hour and twenty minute bus ride from our little town. The castle slide, on the right, was the big hit. We also had fun on the St. Basil slides.

HORSES

PERMA GRIN!!!

This was little Nootch´s first horse adventure abroad. If you know her, she loves horses! Yes, still! Vilcabamba is a horse community. They are everywhere. We will be doing more of this for sure!! Maybe even a long trip.

NEW YEARS

In Vilcabamba, there is a tradition of creating a ¨muñeco¨ a life size doll of a person (effigy), probably someone you don´t like or represents an idea you might not like. Most are made out of paper mache and old clothes. At midnight on New Years, you throw the doll on one of the many bonfires on every street.

In wanting to participate, Justin gathered materials and created a character we called Wallbanger. We loaded her with firecrackers (as to Little Ts request) and took her down to the plaza. She hung out with us most of the night both in a cafe and at the big street party. She was at partying right in the thick of it. Though most of the local boys looted her fire power before midnight, she burned nicely in one of the many bonfires in 2011.

As for the rest of the night...Little T napped in the cafe for a few hours. But he was wide awake for the midnight display of fireworks and bonfires. Nootch rallied through most of the night activities but fell asleep on the edge of the street about 5 min. till midnight. She is not happy about it. It was a fun way to ring in the new year!