triumphgal

09-15-24 Centre of the World

September 15, 2024

While enjoying breakfast and most excellent coffee, I was being amused by Sharon trying to capture a picture of a hummingbird. I hadn’t thought about them not being in Northern Ireland where she and David are from.

We got our truck ride to the bus parked in town and got a nice visit with our guide, Santiago. He is 38 and has been doing guiding for 18 years as a freelancer.

Back at the bus we had to wait as Santiago‘s luggage was left behind. I was too stifled sitting at the back of the bus so got out for fresh air. Carlos, our driver saw me and hurried over to ask for my nombre to communicado with WhatsApp. No harm, I gave it to him.

Once we were on our way, I was thrilled to have been invited to sit with Leena up front. We shared about our lives. She is a realtor in Cambridge UK. I showed her a picture of my kids and she remarked how much Jake looks like her Hari.

Santiago shared a lot of good info. Internet is expensive. School for the locals, 90-95% go to primary, 50% to high school, 25-30% to university but a lack of jobs after graduation. Minimum wage is $450/month. AND, there really were tribes in Ecuador that cut the heads of their enemies off , removed the bones, simmered and reduced to the size of a fist and wore as a warning.

Had a good laugh at a memory of my trip to the UK as Santiago often says ‘we will be there in one hour’ which is what I would hear from Hearndens, everything was one hour away.

I have had the best visit with the Menon Family. I may have to go to Cambridge!

Quito means Centre of the World. Does that make it Middle Earth? Our first major stop is the Centre of the world monument

The one thing that I wanted to bring home was a new hammock and for $75 I got two gorgeous huge ones and a new jacket

I had a hilarious time at the top while filming and taking pictures as I didn’t notice at first that my dress was blowing straight up. I was wearing shorts but a beautiful man looked over, did the Marilyn pose and said ‘Don’t worry I didn’t see anything’

And then it was the hour bus ride back to the hotel where they delivered our bags to our beautiful room and then we went down for bevies

Sidebar: our driver, Carlos, has expressed his interest in me and he is lovely. We had good translator app conversations over lunch where he told me about himself and said I was beautiful. Shame we are on different continents.

While having drinks David and Sharon from Northern Ireland popped by and we invited them to join us at a recommended restaurant that was a $2 cab ride away. It was a bit of a sketchy entrance but after climbing all the stairs, found ourselves in a remarkable space with fabulous food and service. We had a great visit and were all glad to have made the effort, all for only $27 and tip for my seafood dish and drink.

09-14-24 Full Day in Amazon Rainforest

September 14, 2024

It is odd to experience 12 hours of day and night due to proximity to equator. Sun rise just after 6 and a quick sunset just after 6 pm again. Virginia told me to lose weight over breakfast. I promptly ignored the body shaming and replied that I’d lost 30 already, thank you. I know she was referring to keeping mobile, but really! We did have better conversations later in the day. After a good coffee and breakfast we headed on a vigorous forest walk up big hills and down again. Our guides filled us in on so much information and the only thing I loathed was the gumboots. I was very grateful to have the assistance of a bamboo walking stick. It was very sweaty but I drank lots of water.

Yana is our Spanish speaking guide. We managed a few stilted conversations on the bus ride to Ahuano.

Napo River

These trees stretch in different directions to reach the sun and rain. They compensate for growth in one direction by growing a ‘brace’

The most fun moment of the trip for me was when we were shown the blow dart gun. Yana showed us how, but missed. I went first out of our group and got the only bullseye!!

The people who live on the property made a yucca beverage and cacao dessert for us from scratch and then we shopped in their little market.

On the way back to the boat we fed the Caimans

Tracey found Eldorado Hold which the Spaniards had not managed to do.

It was so nice to get the gumboots off and have the breeze on the water. When we arrived back at Ahuaco, I was sad to find I’d lost an earring. Our bus driver, Carlos jumped up and searched until he found it down the side of my seat on the canoe. I gave him a big hug and my electronic mosquito repeller that had worked well for me. I could tell he was happy and crushing a little.

As we were eating, a White Puck snake, very poisonous, slithered through under our table which caused a bit of a stir. The cat was oblivious

Next, we were back in the bus and off on a mini safari, as Santiago called it.

And then it was time to head back to the lodge. I really like this family

After a nice cool shower and change into dresses, we joined the others for an incredible dinner. The company was great and soon it was time to settle our tabs and head to our rooms to ready for departure in the morning

09-13-24 Quito to Tena

September 13, 2024

Alarm at 7, pretty organized and down to an amazing breakfast before our orientation. I was happy that find our group is only 16. I will try to find out more but for now I know there are parents Krish and Lena with two grown children, Hari and Maddi from Cambridge, UK; Dave and Gail from Calgary; Jane and niece, Sarah from New Jersey; Jenny from Midlands UK, Steven and Jo from Near London, Virginia from Richmond UK, David & Sharon from Northrrn Ireland.

Just after 9 we checked out and loaded into a very comfortable bus to go to old town with our very informative guide, Santiago, and driver, Carlos. There was a lot to see and we started with the best gargoyle collection that I have ever seen. I bought Coca Candy.

Next was a chocolate tasting! Chocolatier says if you feel hot spice in the back of your throat it is real, in mouth, chemical

Presidential palace fenced off from previous unrest. Independence in 1809

So near to solstice on 23rd that I barely have a shadow.

I don’t know who this was, but I think we’d be friends

Of course, Groot is everywhere

A few more sites and we were back on our bus which we had to wait for in front of a candy store. I bought sharesies. Cookies for all and mints for $3

We are now winding our way out of Quito to the other side of the Andes, as we head for the Amazon. A quick stop at clean gas station banos. We took a quick cold windy stop to see the volcanos. I couldn’t even get Sackboy to c stand on the S. The eucalyptus trees are invasive here.

Lunch was preordered at Restaurant Gina. I enjoyed my traditional prepared Trout and plantains as well as the big Pilsner.

Compliments of the restaurant a chuchuguasa which was potent and delicious

We are now on our way to the Lodge in the Amazon, Hakuna Matata

We stopped at a food market where I sampled the roasted beetle larvae. I did not take a video of them squirming in the bowl. It was actually pretty delicious.

There was a stop for pictures at the top of the Andes along the road. It was cold and windy. We then wound our way down through the cloud forest to the rain forest.

We had to swap out to small vehicles as there was a tension bridge along the way to the lodge.

Our lodge is lovely and well equipped. We had awesome drinks and a fabulous 3 course meal before taking a night walk in the forest looking for critters

And now to read a little and get some solid sleep!!

09-12-24 From Ok to Awesome

September 13, 2024

Sleep was elusive as I no longer easily curl up on hard chairs for a nap. At 3 am the staff showed up and we were finally able to pass off our checked in bags. Security wasn’t open until 4 for screening and then 4:30 for CBSA. I thought it was weird that the Calgary airport is basically shutdown at night. At one count there were 5 women all crashed on joined chairs. and it was pouring rain!

We had the friendliest CBSA agent who told us we were going to love the Houston airport

We finally got seated in extremely cramped seats on a Boeing 737-700. It was old school to say the least.

The cloud formations over Houston were stunning

We had a good laugh as we wondered why they were handing us fun sized condoms as we boarded the plane.

Finally made it to the awesomeness of the George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Boy Howdy that agent was right! It is an incredible place.

Brett back at home recommended a seafood restaurant that he couldn’t remember the name of. In short order we found it and had an excellent experience. Janet and Sergio treated us special with a combination plate for me of seared scallops and calamari as well as a piece of alligator that is sourced from the same farm as Louis Vuitton for their bags. It was a piece of white tail meat, very delicious but marinated in many peppers hence my only trying one piece. Not inexpensive but worth every penny. I taught Sergio a couple new drinks and definitely enjoyed both my Sidecar and the watermelon and coconut hurricane

At the end of the meal, Nick came over to offer a free dessert. I chose the key lime pie to go with mmmmmmm

We sat for an hour in massage chairs and relaxed. It was wonderful. Finally it is time to get on another plane.

I sat next to a lovely lady with a tag around her neck that said her name, Genoveva, and, on the back, that she did not speak English with a number to contact if needed. I did not bad at all communicating and helping her. I’m not sure she totally understood that I don’t speak Spanish although I was able to throw a few words in.

I watched an odd movie, doses off and then ended the flight with Bob Marley One Love.

I have decided to blog as I go in draft form and then hit post when it is days and and hopefully on wifi.

We are getting ready to land in Quito and I have received notice of where to meet our shuttle.

Clearing customs was a breeze and we were met by a lovely young g man, Matteo who brought us the 40 minutes or so to our very nice hotel, Mercure. Quito is the second largest city in the country, coming in around 3 million. We are organizing a jump bag to take for our two nights in the Amazon after our city walking tour in the morning. The hotel will store our big suitcases.

I am going to bed after a fabulous shower as our orientation is at 8 where we will meet the other 14 in our group. Have to be down for breakfast before that.