I located Guide and Driver Patricio Andramunio in Catacochi who designed a jungle tour for Bazil and me. He met us one morning in Otavalo.
Good Morning
Waiting
Ready for Adventures with Patricio
We Stop Make Our First View Stop
There is an overlook not far from Otavalo where Patricio likes to stop to give his guests a good photo opportunity.
Unfortunately, some folks like to use this as a trash dump and it appears that some local business remodelers recently did just that.
Bazil Makes Use of a Contractor's Disposed Urinal
We stopped for the
favorite Cayambe bizcochos.
Bizcochos for Breakfast
Busking at the urinal
Urinals seemed to be on the agenda this morning. Everyone stopped here before going to work and no one thought to close the door. I saw more men taking a pee than I ever have during breakfast. Perhaps it's a gringa thing, but I suggested to Patricio that he might seat his guests on the other side of the booth in the future.
It was a full day's drive to get to our first destination. We stopped midway for some nice exercise at Cascada Magico.
Time for a Walk
First View of the Magic Falls
No Longer in the Highlands
In the Sand
Fierce rains, the pandemic, and a detour to repair road erosion had limited maintenance and tourists. That made it perfect for us.
This Bridge Wasn't Washed Out
Patricio Poses
Bazil Checks the Flora
He's Not in Colorado
With Patricio's Help I Crossed the Stone Bridge
This Was Much Easier
I Like This Area
LaLa and Bazil at Magic Falls
Patricio Makes This Pose at Every Site
We found a good place to catch up on "important stuff", eat ceviche, and take advantage of the sun
WiFi and Ceviche
Pants Dry Shoes Don't
Although the one-inch foam soles make these shoes the perfect shoes for walking in the mud, sand, and now the jungle for the past 60 days, they never did completely dry out after crossing back and forth through the river.
We stopped for the night in Nueva Loja / Lago Agrio. Frankly, not much to recommend about this town unless it is a rest stop for your touring.
WiFi and a Comfortable Bed for $25
Let's Get This Group on the Road
We stopped at a streetside cafe. I can't remember the Spanish word for these breakfast balls, but I certainly had a hearty breakfast.
He Forms the Mashed Plantains into Balls
The Balls are Deep Fried
Paula Ordered It With Pork
Bazil remembered he had forgotten to pack his sandals. It was about 8 AM, so we were discussing where there might be an open tienda where he could buy a pair. Suddenly Patricio looked down the street and said, "Do my eyes deceive me or are the sandals coming to Bazil?"
Uh Oh I Forgot My FlipFlops
If You Can't Get to the Sandals the Sandals Will Come to You
Bazil Finds a Pair That Fits
Patricio dropped us off at a van to continue for a few days without him. You can read about this leg of our journey in another entry. He met us after our stay at the Camain Lodge and continued on our adventures with him.
Go to the Roadside Places for Local Food
Bazil's a Piscadarian So Worms Are Allowed
Not Bad
We traveled over the mountains and through the valleys.
It's A Long Way Down
We're not sure if it was the palm tree worms he ate or what, but not far from this spot with nothing but jungle and river for miles Bazil had to call for an emergency pit stop. Later that night when we were all nestled in our separate rooms, Bazil was pounding on doors shouting "LaLa! LaLa!"
When he found me, he had to report that he had just pulled a tick off his testicle! It was not a pleasant experience, but not one he wanted to ask for help from his grandmother. It was a very painful and unsettling experience and did need to be reported, however.
We spent the next two nights in the small town of Port Misahualli which is known for the free-roaming monkeys. On our full day in town, I went out before the men and roamed around.
Port Misahualli
Are only Senior Tourists Forbidden to Feed the Monkeys
Boats Are for Tourists and Residents' Taxis
I Took Advantages of the Bench in Memory pf the Elder Women
A Nice Plaza
I Think Our Hotel Was Also a Brothel...Don't Tell Patricio
Monkeys Run Around the Town
Can You See the Monkey
Even Ecuadorians Come to See the Monkeys
Relaxing
Breakfast Companions
Bazil Enjoyed Having a Monkey on His Back
Selfie with a Mono
Patricio was planning many adventures for us this day. I, however, felt I had spent enough time in the car and on the river for a while. He really wanted to make the trip a good experience and paid the $20 to visit one indigenous community.
Apparently, these Kichwa fled from the highlands when the Spanish arrived and settled along the river. There are several communities scattered throughout the area and they must marry outside their community. Two of the communities entertain visitors, I said we would visit one of them. They have a large lodge used for the demonstrations that could probably seat at least 100. Thanks to Covid, it was only we three.
Taxi to the Community
Hot Water for Tea
Our Hostess Shows Us How to Make the Special Brew
Special Fermented Brew
Traditional Dance
Bazil Plays a Drum after 10 Days Away
Bazil couldn't resist including special beats into the drumming, which seemed to amuse the locals.
After we drank tea, drummed, and danced, a very shy boy of about 8 was told to show us the zoological jardin.
Now A Small Boy Will Lead You to the Zoo
A Caiman
Some Small Rodents
A Parrot
A Toucan
I Guess He Would If He Could
Patricio Asked Me to Look for Something More Exotic at the Zoo
After a trip to the zoo, we were led into the gift shop of locally-made crafts where we both purchased some small trinkets.
I Bought Some of These Leaves
I think these tea leaves are what gave me a debilitating case of diarrhea, nausea, and body aches when 10 days later after returning to Denver I brewed and consumed a large pitcher of iced tea!
Although Bazil enjoyed the community visit, he said it was a little depressing. I believe these people want to live traditionally. The children go to school, some adults have jobs outside the community, and they have chosen this way to help support the lifestyle.
Patricio and Bazil had an afternoon outing visiting caves (from which they were forced to evacuate during a downpour) and a visit to his mother's farm.
I chose to spend the afternoon eating a local plato del dia as I organized Cotacachi photos and enjoyed the scenes around Misahaulli.
Bazil Ate Here 3 X and Used the Bano 4 X
The next morning, it was time to begin our last day with Patricio.
Our Last Breakfast
Ready for a Good Vegetarian Breakfast
Paula Ordered the Breakfast with Pollo
We drove many miles through jungled mountains.
A Home Somewhere in the Jungle
We Are Headed Down There
These Kids Made the Trek
I Stayed on This Side of the Bridge
Paula Looking Down at B and P's Destination
We drove a bit more to a tourist attraction high in the mountains.
This Would Be Too Unsafe in the USA
This Is As Daring As Paula Got
Bazil Taking a Break After He Was Down There
Then we went onto the zipline of Banos.
That's Where the ZipLine Crosses
There Goes Bazil
Over the Ravine and Back
Here Comes Bazil
Notice the Dog's Ears in the Lower Right
The zipline's resident German Shepherd felt it was his responsibility to climb the tower to see every flyer off and then to stand at the edge of the cliff to welcome them back. He was so excited and happy each time. It was worth the price just to give the dog this opportunity during the year of limited tourism.
Three hours later after Patricio navigated Quito rush-hour traffic, ignored Google Maps, turned off Waze, followed Quito's one-way and no-drive street rules, he dropped us off around the corner from our hotel in Quito without proper good-byes and thank yous.
Good-bye Patricio. Thank you for a w wonderful excursion!
