This was my best trip to Ecuador, for the first time on any trip this year I got to do what I would do normally which is hang out with the family on the weekend. Traveling as much as I have recently it was good to be adopted for a few days by Freddy & Maria and their fantastic extended family. It sure beats staying at the hotel and I got to see way more of the city than the Hilton and the dealership. Many thanks to you!
Extended family minus Freddy.
Freddy, Maria and their oldest.
In the park we visited you are immediately greeted by plants and animals that are rarely found together anywhere else.
I was amazed at how green everything was.
Parrots are found in almost every color.
And the occasional tortoise.
In these photos I was able to get within a few feet of each.
They are used to people taking photos as they seemed to pose for the shots.
Even the tortoise posed.
Before pose.
Vogue!
Mangrove swamps
and the local red crab....a few days later I found a restaurant that serves these guys all you can eat as well as all you can drink beer for $15. Amazing!
Each on of these lumps in the mud is in fact the red crab hiding.
Birds of unusual size and noise...
They didn't like to pose.
and even turned their heads....
Snobs!
And on to the Sloth.
The Sloth didn't move but, even if it did he would of done it slowly.
Again, the plant life was diverse and seemed to go on forever.
Growing up in Miami these plants were familiar.
I am always amazed at how different deer look.
Local Fox that didn't seem interested in being in a photo.
Either that of nap time.
Sleeping away.
Pork or....?
A Mom...
and her babies....
Along the walkway, a ever alert Macaw
These Eagles were huge....the photos do not do them justice....their claws were at least the size of my hand.
Zoomed in #1
Zoomed in #2
#3
and #4
more Macaws on the walkway
Amazing local plants again
Of all the animals I was most amazed seeing this one as I have never seen one in person before.
The Tapir!
It looks like someone got lazy drawing a creature.
The Ocelot, once kept as a pet by Salvador Dali
Mostly nocturnal, this bunch seemed up for showing off their grace.
Look at how small the bars are and the fact that they are just branches.
Just beautiful scenery
Crikey! Crocs....
Who doesn't love Monkeys.....and specifically.....SPIDER MONKEYS!!!
A local Raccoon....I must admit I like the local name better....Mapache
The nature park turned into a historic district which showcased historic homes relocated to the park and saved from the wrecking ball.
Walking here was like taking a walk back in time and reminded me of Disney land with the costumes.
Inside the historic homes....
Imagine owning one of these 100 years ago
Well stocked bar....
View off the 2nd story balcony
...
No detailed spared
Kids and Freddy sharing a laugh....
2 Freddy's
Happy Dad & Son
More local bird life...
Who is that guy?
This park has something for everyone!
Local homes of coffee and cacao farmers....
Cooking demonstration of Masa cakes and Coffee
A local gourd tree that is used to make scoops....or as we found out a great ball for a 3 year old.
Tree with plants...
Rice Paddy and Sugar canes....
Cacao....Ecuador is home to 65% of the worlds best quality chocolate
My new Facebook profile pic
Outside a mock plantation home getting ready for a play that I would somehow take part in.
Cito & the Gringo
The stage is set....
The audience ready....
More audience....
The opening dancer....
The singling out of me as a potential new husband in the play.
Even the 3 year old's loved the play.
The case afterward...
Posing with the cast....
Me getting in the act...
More cast posing...
More of the park....this place was huge!
and we leave the park to head to watch Los Pitufos! "The Smurfs" in 3D and in Spanish. Great Weekend!!!
These next photos are from Loja
It is from a job site I visited....
I wanted to give you an idea of how quickly you can end up in a beautiful place where the roads are being built....
Just a 30 minute flight from Guayaquil
And you are in the middle of nowhere....
where they grow lots of coffee....
and get to work with these types of views...
Still trying to figure out how some of these houses get here.....again no roads
I leave you this time with a video from a local folk song performance.....the song is about love and what men and women perceive it as....it's a great back and forth performance even if you don't understand a word.
Thanks,
Andy
