So it's been a while since I've blogged. I sort of got caught up in the daily grind in Quito and didn't think I had much to blog about, but I think my next blog should reflect my weekday routines as well. So far, I've just told you about the amazing weekend activities. Not that the weekday stuff isn't fun or different, but it's definitely not zip-lining through a cloud forest or anything. :)
This past weekend, I went to Tena, the capital of the Napo region of Ecuador to the southeast of Quito. The town of Tena isn't that impressive it's main road has been under construction for 6 months much to the distaste of its residents), but there are a ton of activities around the city. It's also one of the gateways to the Amazon rainforest. Unfortunately, we didn't have a chance to enter the rainforest, but there's always next time! I think we had a pretty spectacular weekend in spite of this fact, though... :)
On Saturday, we were a very excited bunch about to embark on some Class III whitewater rafting on the Rio Anzu (I think) and Rio Napo. Our rafting group consisted of Luke, Jake, me, Cat, Deborah, Veronica, and Diana. We had a great time and half the fun was just the antics on-board: general tomfoolery, pushing people into the water and whatnot. Good times! Only the guys ended up being popped out of the raft by the rapids. Poor things!
This past weekend, I went to Tena, the capital of the Napo region of Ecuador to the southeast of Quito. The town of Tena isn't that impressive it's main road has been under construction for 6 months much to the distaste of its residents), but there are a ton of activities around the city. It's also one of the gateways to the Amazon rainforest. Unfortunately, we didn't have a chance to enter the rainforest, but there's always next time! I think we had a pretty spectacular weekend in spite of this fact, though... :)
On Saturday, we were a very excited bunch about to embark on some Class III whitewater rafting on the Rio Anzu (I think) and Rio Napo. Our rafting group consisted of Luke, Jake, me, Cat, Deborah, Veronica, and Diana. We had a great time and half the fun was just the antics on-board: general tomfoolery, pushing people into the water and whatnot. Good times! Only the guys ended up being popped out of the raft by the rapids. Poor things!
At one point in the journey, we hopped out of the boat to swim for a bit. We're sitting/standing on a rock in this pic. I started swimming just to the left in this photo and soon realized how strong the current was. I spent a good minute swimming hard against the current without moving an inch!
The rafting adventure was a nice blend of intense, choppy parts as well as very serene bits where one could just gaze at the gorgeous scenery. Gigantic puffy white clouds set against a bright blue sky, nothing but dense emerald foliage flanking the river...beauteous!!!! We stopped here for a taco lunch prepared by the guides under a thatch-roofed shelter. Yum!
I didn't want the day to end! This is the view of the river as we hauled in our equipment and rafts.
The dueña of the hostel we were staying at was about to fry up some chontacuros: big fat grubs that wiggled around in the bowl oozing white goo after the dueña ripped something from their bodies. My new housemate Jake and I were feeling a bit brave and decided to try one. After the fact, I learned that you're supposed to hold the head and bite off the body, but I ate the whole darn thing. No problem! Hmm, tastes like chicken! :) Not really, but I'm glad I tried one.
The tilapia dinner I had was a bit more appetizing than the worms, even if the fish's head and fins were still attached. The iconic patacones (fried green plantains) were also quite delicious when doused with aji (a spicy salsa made from the aji pepper).
After din din, we watched a bit of the Miss Cacao pageant where the contestants dressed up in garish metallic lycra costumes and danced around to demonstrate the different stages of the life of a cacao bean. When the men wearing shiny leopard print loincloths emerged and busted a move, I couldn't stop giggling. The whole thing was rather funny to behold. :) We didn't stick around to see who won, but I don't think we could take anymore.
I didn't want the day to end! This is the view of the river as we hauled in our equipment and rafts.
The dueña of the hostel we were staying at was about to fry up some chontacuros: big fat grubs that wiggled around in the bowl oozing white goo after the dueña ripped something from their bodies. My new housemate Jake and I were feeling a bit brave and decided to try one. After the fact, I learned that you're supposed to hold the head and bite off the body, but I ate the whole darn thing. No problem! Hmm, tastes like chicken! :) Not really, but I'm glad I tried one.
The tilapia dinner I had was a bit more appetizing than the worms, even if the fish's head and fins were still attached. The iconic patacones (fried green plantains) were also quite delicious when doused with aji (a spicy salsa made from the aji pepper).
After din din, we watched a bit of the Miss Cacao pageant where the contestants dressed up in garish metallic lycra costumes and danced around to demonstrate the different stages of the life of a cacao bean. When the men wearing shiny leopard print loincloths emerged and busted a move, I couldn't stop giggling. The whole thing was rather funny to behold. :) We didn't stick around to see who won, but I don't think we could take anymore.
On Sunday, we found ourselves on Monkey Island. Well, it wasn't really an island, but they did have monkeys and a pool! What more could tourists want? Here we have two woolly monkeys that look like grumpy old men.
The creepy and mischievous capuchin monkey.
La isla de los monos is a pretty nice hostel/restaurant as well with paved paths leading to a river nearby. Richard, Jake, Manu, Cat and I decided to go exploring. We discovered some interesting plants and insects along the way.
The gnarliest spider I've ever seen!
Gawking at the monkeys.
The pool at Monkey Island (ok, now I'm just saying it as often as I can because it sounds like a mythical land) was pretty nice. I didn't really feel like swimming, but it was nice to just relax by the pool after wandering around the place.
Haha, so I bet this looks like a fancy spa treatment, but on Monday we spent some time spelunking in the Jumandy caves just outside of Tena (named after an indigenous hero who fought against the Spanish and was eventually captured in these caves) and our guide led us to a spot with lots of mud. He assured us that it was good for the skin and hair so we slathered mud all over ourselves. We realized later that night that he was telling the truth! Our skin was so soft! A makeshift spa treatment for only a $4 entrance fee! Can't beat it!
Afterward, we rinsed off in the waterfall inside the caves. So powerful! It was definitely a bit of a hydro-massage. This pic isn't bad for being in a pitch black cave with only a few flashlights! The caves were so cool. Wading through cold water, feeling around in the dark, squeezing through tight spots, lots of stalactites and stalagmites that made for an interesting obstacle course. I stood up too soon at one point and didn't realize there was a giant rock overhang. I had a pretty good bump on my head after that!
The caves' exit led us upward on a hill through some trees to a grassy area with fresh evidence suggestive of bovine friends nearby. Still beautiful though.
In my guide book, I'd read that you could only reach the caves by going through a water park. A rather disorienting but funny fact. After rinsing off a bit more (mud everywhere!), we tried our luck on the water slide. The kids looked like they were having such fun! Little did we know that adults have a more difficult time on the slide. You pick up so much speed on the last stretch that it whips you up the side of the slide and drops you back down before you enter the water. Rather painful really.
Even though I practically bathed in insect repellent with Deet in it, I was assaulted by mosquitoes all weekend. The bites were unbearable and so swollen! Gross! I received many looks of sympathy mixed with disgust. :)
The taxi rides in the beds of pickups provide the perfect opportunity to stare absentmindedly at the incredible countryside. Makes it hard to return to the city, but it's comforting to know that the perfect balance of serenity and adrenaline is just a short bus ride away... :)
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