Quito
I set off on my travels last week and, after a long flight to Colombia and then a quick one to Ecuador, landed in Quito (the capital). Being driven to my accommodation we passed through mountains and forest and into the new area of the city.
Not liking to sit still, I decided to head out and do something, despite the jet lag, and chose the teleférico. Starting already part-way up a slope the cable car ride takes about 20 minutes and affords a great view of the city sprawled through a big valley. Then at the top you can hike even higher to the summit of Ruco Pichincha. I set off along the path and suddenly thought I had gotten very unfit, before I remembered it was the extreme altitude making my heart race and my breathing shallow! I didn’t make it all the way to the summit as I had been walking for a few hours when I reached a sign saying 3 more hours to the top and just didn’t have time. However, it was amazing to look over the city as well as seeing llamas, cowboys and using a swing that makes you feel like you are flying over Quito.
Yana Cocha
The following morning I was picked up and driven through more mountains to an animal sanctuary in the heart of the Amazon. It is called Yana Cocha (meaning black lagoon in the local tribal language – Kichwa) and I’m working here for 2 weeks.
My first week has been so cool and I have had so many incredible experiences with the animals. There are lots of other volunteers from countries around the world (Norway, Sweden, Denmark, America, Germany) and we all stay in cabins in the rescue centre. Most of the work is feeding and cleaning, but our coordinator Raul is really funny and you can get up close and personal with several species: the chorongos monkeys climb all over you; birds fly about and sit on your shoulder; the honey bear loves to cuddle (although it was scary when we woke up to it in our room at 2 in the morning); and in quarantine you get to feed all the animals, including a baby deer called Bambi.
I’ve loved feeding all the animals, as well as having the chance to help train an eagle and check a baby piglet that was brought to the centre (sadly with many infections and covered in bugs). The week has also been quite eventful as several animals escaped: the ocelots, the weasel, an aggressive monkey, and the honey bear. Plus, a giant boa constrictor arrived (which I pray doesn’t escape!)
Puyo
In our free time we can chill by the pool (or the WiFi), play cards with each other and go into Puyo (the nearby jungle town). On Thursday night we went out because it was the last night for one of the volunteers. We went to a club and a bar (where we stuck out like sore thumbs) and chatted to some of the locals. Everything closes at midnight, so it wasn’t a long night, but it was really fun.
Tamandua
Yana Cocha owns a nature reserve called Tamandua where they try to release as many animals as possible. It is part of the national park and covers many hectares. This weekend I am visiting Tamandua with another volunteer and it is spectacular! We arrived yesterday afternoon by taxi and a 40 minute walk through the forest to find beautiful cabins with glass walls affording an insane view over miles and miles of mountainous forest.
We had the afternoon to relax and enjoy the view, before dinner and a night walk with our guide, Jorge. We saw lots of insects, frogs and tarantulas, as well as some caimans and it was kinda creepy, kinda cool.
Then this morning we had a demonstration of Kichwa hunting methods and an explanation of different plant properties before we went for a walk through the jungle to a nearby waterfall. It was a really magical experience being able to swim in the waterfall. After a cleansing ritual (having water spat in my face) I got in the cool water and circled beneath the 68m drop, feeling the powerful spray of the water cleanse me properly. We clambered to a small cave beside the falls and received a spiritual cleansing from Jorge (who is a Shaman with the powers of a jaguar) before walking further down the river and then returning to the lodge. Jorge explained to us different rituals from his culture and the fact he gained his powers after spending a year in the jungle by himself!
It has been a pretty amazing week and if the rest of my trip is as good, I’ll have an insane few months of travelling!!!
27th January 2019
Ella's blog 