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Ecuadorian Amazon 2.0

Amazon sunset
Amazon sunset
A return visit to further explore the diversity of Ecuador with urban adventures, hikes in the cloud forest, and explorations of the Amazon. There is so much to see in the Amazon from trees, flowers, creepy crawlies, birds, and beautiful sunsets. You are surrounded by the wilds of the forest, so its easy to get up close and personal with it! Paddle out on the lake to sit in the silence of the rainforest or hike a ways in to the trees and find a new friend.
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A Day in Quito

Apr 10, 2016
Quito is one of my favorite cities to explore, with its meandering streets, friendly people, majestic churches, and Colonial architecture. Wandering the streets of Old Town shows the mix of cultures over the generations that has lead to today's modern Quito. A stroll down La Ronda shows the importance of the arts with galleries and musical groups playing all along the road. 
Street in Quito
Street in Quito (Laura Cahill)

Yum! Helado!
Yum! Helado! (Laura Cahill)

On a lovely sunny day in June I explored La Carolina Park, similar to Central Park in New York. Quiteños gather at La Carolina on weekends to play soccer, basketball and volleyball. The southern part of the park has a small pond where paddle boats and a skatepark for bicyclists and skateboarders. Throughout the park artists perform and sell their art. I also visited the Botanical gardens, showcasing the diverse variety of plants all over Ecuador from orchids to cacti.
Quito Botanical Gardens
Quito Botanical Gardens (Laura Cahill)

Quito Botanical Gardens
Quito Botanical Gardens (Laura Cahill)

Quito Botanical Gardens
Quito Botanical Gardens (Laura Cahill)

Quito Botanical Gardens
Quito Botanical Gardens (Laura Cahill)

Quito Botanical Gardens
Quito Botanical Gardens (Laura Cahill)

Skate park in Quito
Skate park in Quito (Laura Cahill)

Artist in Quito
Artist in Quito (Laura Cahill)

 

Bellavista Cloudforest

Apr 10, 2016
Just over an hour outside of the city you can disappear into the wilds of the cloudforest. A visit to the Bellavist Cloudforest Reserve is a must if you have some extra time in the Quito area. I only did a day trip to the reserve, while worth it, I would recommend an overnight. Just sitting at the lodge you can see dozens of hummingbird species on the feeders spread around the lodge. That experience alone is well worth the trip! Please note: These photos are NOT zoomed in!
Hummingbird at Bellavista Cloudforest
Hummingbird at Bellavista Cloudforest (Laura Cahill)

Hummingbird at Bellavista Cloudforest
Hummingbird at Bellavista Cloudforest (Laura Cahill)

Hummingbird at Bellavista Cloudforest
Hummingbird at Bellavista Cloudforest (Laura Cahill)

The group ventures out on guided hikes through the reserve to learn about the cloudforest ecosystem and the amazing diversity of species that coexist here. There is such a beautiful stillness in the clouds among the trees. I did spy one of my favorite birds, a Toucan!
Hiking at Bellavista Cloudforest
Hiking at Bellavista Cloudforest (Laura Cahill)

Toucan at Bellavista
Toucan at Bellavista (Laura Cahill)

Bellavista Canopy
Bellavista Canopy (Laura Cahill)

Misty cloudforest
Misty cloudforest (Laura Cahill)

Trail in Bellavista Cloudforest
Trail in Bellavista Cloudforest (Laura Cahill)

Quilatoa Lagoon

Apr 10, 2016
It was a cold and blustery day, but the weather seemed to suit the location. Quilotoa Lagoon is a water-filled caldera and the most western volcano in the Avenue of Volcanos. The 2 mile-wide caldera was formed by the collapse of the volcano about 800 years ago. The lake changes color depending on the weather. It can vary from turquoise to green, to even a yellow on some days. 
Quilotoa Lagoon
Quilotoa Lagoon (Laura Cahill)

Quilotoa Lagoon
Quilotoa Lagoon (Laura Cahill)

The indigenous community surrounding the lagoon have started some community based tourism projects horseback rides to the bottom of the lagoon, guided hikes in the area, a market to sell handicrafts and paintings. There are hostels and cafes to stop in and warm up!
Quilotoa
Quilotoa (Laura Cahill)

Horse in Quilotoa
Horse in Quilotoa (Laura Cahill)

Handicrafts shop in Quilotoa
Handicrafts shop in Quilotoa (Laura Cahill)

Diverse Amazon

Apr 10, 2016
There is so much to see in the Amazon from trees, flowers, creepy crawlies, birds, and beautiful sunsets. You are surrounded by the wilds of the forest, so its easy to get up close and personal with it! Paddle out on the lake to sit in the silence of the rainforest or hike a ways in to the trees and find a new friend.
Amazon sunset
Amazon sunset (Laura Cahill)

Amazon colors
Amazon colors (Laura Cahill)

Amazon creepy crawlies
Amazon creepy crawlies (Laura Cahill)

Blue belly
Blue belly (Laura Cahill)

Toucan in the Amazon
Toucan in the Amazon (Laura Cahill)



 

Active Amazon

Apr 10, 2016
Not only is the a massive amount of diversity in flora and fauna in the Amazon so are the difference in experiences you can have! Daily hikes reveal the uniqueness of the rainforest, stop for a swing on some vines growing from the trees, spend the morning in a tree-stand in the canopy spying for birds.
Tarzan swing in the Amazon
Tarzan swing in the Amazon (Laura Cahill)

Bird's Eye View of the Amazon
Bird's Eye View of the Amazon (Laura Cahill)

Walkway at La Selva Lodge
Walkway at La Selva Lodge (Laura Cahill)

A visit to local indigenous communities allows you to experience how the locals live and coexist in the rainforest. Learn how to to fish piranha, hunt with blow darts, and taste the flavors of some local foods. Venture outside of your comfort zone and try a grilled wood beetle larvae!
Cooking with the locals
Cooking with the locals (Laura Cahill)

Lunch with the Locals
Lunch with the Locals (Laura Cahill)

Laura eating a beetle grub
Laura eating a beetle grub (Laura Cahill)

Fishing for Piranha
Fishing for Piranha (Laura Cahill)

Fishing for Piranha
Fishing for Piranha (Laura Cahill)

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