Still trying to catch up with reality back in the US and need to finish up the posts from Ecuador. Here are some pics from our last major trip in Ecuador, and probably the best one. We went to the lowland Amazon Rainforest. Amalia was super excited for this as this was the one she had been asking to go on from our first days in Ecuador. It is also the trip that scared Lisa the most. This area has the most biodiversity of anywhere on earth but that also means the most things that can bite/sting/scare/irritate/spray etc. But we had a great time, largely because we chose a great destination,
Sani Lodge. I have been to a number of lodges and research stations in Ecuador and this place ranks with the absolute best. It isn't the most fancy but it has amazing wildlife, is relatively easily accessible, and has a sense of community that it incomparable. The ecuadorian amazon is currently under intense threat from oil companies and the Sani community has fought a brave battle to keep the oil companies away. The lodge is run by the community and the profits go to the community to help build schools, hospitals, etc. In essence, it is there alternative to oil money and they are doing everything they can to do the right thing. I wish there were more people in the world as honest and wonderful as they are.
Cool snake we found on a night hike.
And a salamander. This is one of the few groups of organisms that isn't very diverse in the amazon of Ecuador, only two species.
Nice big hylid frog. Most of these beasts were found on night hikes.
How is this for a defensive caterpillar?
Before going to the jungle we made a quick stop in Papallacta (it's actually close to the airport, relatively). The kids loved the chance to play in the pools again.
And I took my camera traps to help my friends Patricio and Mario start to study the local bear and tapir populations. I left the cameras there for them to use.
To get to Sani you have to take a flight to Coca (45 min) and then a motorized canoe ride (2 hours) and then a short walk on this boardwalk and then a small canoe ride to the lodge. The lodge is built on a black water lagoon and is spectacular.
Amalia and I riding in the small canoe.
And here is Javier, our guide. He is from the Sani Community and a native Quechwa. He is also among the best guides I have ever had and a fantastic person as well.
Nearing the lodge we were greater by this old tree sticking out of the lagoon. Notice the bats sleeping on it!
Camilo doing some bird watching.
View onto the lagoon at dusk.
Dusky Jungle Frog!
Sleeping lizard.
Giant tarantula that Amalia found.
Tree frog!
Most of our trips from the lodge started by paddling the canoe. You can see the wonderful paddle that Javier used. He usually paddled from the front and another guide from the back of the canoe.
Javier with the kids at the base of the canopy tower.
And up in the canopy tower. This is about 100ft about the ground and gives a completely different view of the forest.
But Camilo still wanted to play with his trucks.
But Amalia did some bird watching and modeled her new Quechwa headband.
Javier spotted this frog in the reeds as we paddled past. Beautiful frog and shows haw important it is to have a good guide.
Hoatzin! One of the coolest birds around. They eat leaves!
frog!
View of the lagoon at dawn.
Amalia had two major requests, macaws and monkeys. I never make guarantees but I really wanted to find these for her. We saw lots of macaws flying overhead but never got to see them land anywhere. But we did see lots of monkeys including these spider monkeys,
We also got to visit the community and their farm. Camilo got some corn.
And they made a grasshopper from a palm leaf for Amalia.
And we got lunch as well. The grubs were for the brave.
And they we got to practice with the blowgun. Amalia gave it a go.
As did I.
And I slayed the vicious banana!
even Camilo gave it a go.
As did Lisa and the Banana felt her wrath.
Amalia lining up the Banana.
One afternoon we found these rare birds right near the lodge. Bare Faced Ibis, which aren't supposed to be there.
And later that afternoon, while the kids were napping, the guides let Lisa and I try our hands at throwing spears. In truth, the spears are crazy heavy!
and the results were mostly some sore arms!
The dining hall staff was great. Every meal they folded the napkins into different shapes and Amalia became fascinated by them. So the waiter took time each meal to coach her on how to fold the napkins. This is the kind of service that showed they cared and made the experience so special for us.
And as we were getting ready to leave we found one last gecko to say goodbye.
