Jacaranda Journey
Yasuni National Park
Aerial view (photo: National Geographic)
Quito
Demonstration to protect Yasuni (in front of the Presidential Palace)
Cuenca
Protesting oil exploitation in the pristine Yasuni National Park
Archidona
Zebra striped church
Hacienda Hakuna Matata, Archidona
Hacienda Hakuna Matata
Pool in the shape of a palm tree (photo from HM website)
Hacienda Hakuna Matata
Horseback riding along the river and forest
Hacienda Hakuna Matata
Clowning around in jungle costumes (from left: Linda, Chuck, Maureen, Buzz, Vicki)
Tena - Rio Jacuntaya
Our first river run down Class 3 rapids
Tena Butterfly Farm
Morpho Pupae
Blue Morpho - Tena Butterfly Farm
Having giant blue morphos flitting around you is a magical sight!
Amazon Caterpillar
Wild Amazon caterpillar
Amazon Butterfly
One of thousands of artful species
Yachana EcoLodge
Buildings blend in (middle of photo)
Yachana EcoLodge
Guest cabins hign on a bluff, overlooking the Upper Napo River
Doug McMeekin
Nationally recognized social entrepreneur, founder of Yachana EcoLodge and Foundation
Good eating!
Beetle grubs (mayones) known as Jungle Bacon
Cooked beetle grubs
We couldn't bring ourselves to eat them raw and wiggling, but pan-fried they were delicious - just like bacon (they're all fat)
River transport center
For AmaZOOnico
Amazon flora
Poison dart frog (underside)
Held by our guide who was unafraid of the poison
Jaguar at AmaZOOnica
Victim of illegal animal trafficking
Camouflaged Lizard
Capybara at AmaZOOnico
Largest rodent
Large Buttress root of Ficus tree
Our guide was showing us how native nomadic hunters use the tree for shelter and hunting
Jungle First Aid
Banana bandage for an injured hand
River scene with cayuca
Traditional Kichwa house
Kichwa Family
Three generations
Interior Kichua house
Note the TV, powered with a small solar panel the government has given all households in the Amazon
Making Chicha
Kichwa mother and daughter preparing the Amazon drink from yuca
Gold panning in the river banks
Usually only flakes are found - but they add up!
Cacao pod
Ecuador produces the finest raw chocolate - no wonder there are so many Swiss and Belgians in the country
Cacao seeds
Still in the pod before they are dried and ground
Cayuca (canoe) transport
Leaving Yachana for a 2 hour ride downriver to the town of Coca, jumping off point for the Lower Napo River lodges
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Amazon Butterfly
One of thousands of artful species