Quito to Yarina Lodge ~ Monday, July 14, 2014

We boarded the bus at 7:00 A.M. for our eight-hour drive over a 13,860 feet Andes Mountain pass to Coca. We stopped several times for bathroom breaks and other surprises. It rained periodically during the day. We we’re lucky that the rain let up when we stopped at Guongo Lodge. Many hummingbirds were feeding on the feeders hanging from the low tree branches along the walkway to the front door of the lodge. We all took many pictures. I think I got one that I liked. We could serve ourselves hot beverages inside the lodge. It started raining harder so I walked back to the bus. There are many bird watching opportunities at this lodge. Toucans and tanagers are two of the birds that can also be seen in this cloud forest region. The next time we stopped, we had the opportunity to visit the home of a local subsistence farmer’s family. We each were given a wooden broomstick (walking stick) to help us walk down the stone steps from the road, then along the slippery hard muddy path, across a bridge, then more path to the front door. The people who lived there also offered their hands to help us. The lady of the house held my hand during the most slippery part. She offered us tree tomato slices to eat. By selling the milk from their seven cows, it allows them to buy flour, rice, and other things they don’t grow. They raise chickens and guinea pigs, and they have a vegetable garden. We sat in her living room while she answered questions. Delphin translated for her since she doesn’t speak English. She let us tour her kitchen too which was rather primitive. The next stop was lunch. I had trout in garlic sauce, deep fried plantain, rice, tree tomato juice, and bananas with chocolate sauce. Later we stopped to see a waterfall. Finally, we arrived in Coca. We were fitted with high rubber boots for the Amazon. These boots will be safer walking in the jungle. Then we rode about forty minutes in a motorized covered canoe to Yarina Lodge. Upon arrival, we were assigned to cabin 16 which is closest to the dining room. For dinner we ate soup with popcorn sprinkled on top, steak wrapped in bacon, rice, beans, tomato and broccoli salad, and fresh papaya for dessert. Right now I am listening to the sounds of the jungle.