The Cloud Forest

Mindo

It took all day to get from the mountains of Tigua which is south of Quito to the cloud forest of Mindo which is north of Quito. The change in landscape was the most startling we experienced. The mountains of Ecuador have a stark barren kind of beauty. They are cold and dramatic.As we approached Mindo, that all changed. Suddenly there was lush jungle everywhere. There were flowers, birds, butterflies; life exploded around us. We are staying in an eco-lodge, the Yellow House, a few minutes out of town. Frogs sang us to sleep at night and dozens of hummingbirds joined us for breakfast. We even have a hammock.

View from our window

Humming birds

Our first stop was the butterfly farm. We walked a couple of miles down a dirt road through the jungle viewing beautiful flowers and birds and a raging river as we walked. The butterfly was fun with hundreds of butterflies. We put banana pieces on our fingers and the butterflies would land on them. The largest number were called Eye of the Owl for reasons that are obvious if you look a the pictures. The bright blue Morphos butterfly was the most beautiful.

An Owl's Eye on my finger

An Owl's Eye emerging 

Mona and Heidi in butterfly garden

Next was the exciting part of the day. We walked to the Mindo Extreme Sport Canopy Zip Line Adventure. There are 13 zip lines over the forest. Mona opted out of the this experience but I had to do it. After about 2 seconds of instruction our group of three was ready. Strapped into the harness, I was shoved off the platform to soar over the treetops of the jungle in the valley below. Terrifying doesn't begin to describe the sensation I experienced. The second one was better and I relaxed a little. I refused to do it upside down or in the superman position for the next one but one person tried it. I never truly relaxed but the last one was the best, The clouds had rolled in and we flew through the mist to the final platform. I was drenched in sweat and my knees were wobbly but I was exhilarated by the experience.

Heidi on the zip line

Nothing could top the zip line so next we had a late lunch and went to an orchid garden and Mona got some nice pictures. We ended the day at the chocolate factory where the tour concludes with a chocolate brownie for everyone.

Monkey face orchid

Zapato orchid (shoe)

Chocolate factory

Horseback riding

Our day of horseback riding took place at the Green Ranch inside the Pululahua volcano crater. The last eruption was over 2000 years ago so it has had time to turn into farmland and lush forests. The horses were perfect—all very calm and steady. The ride was difficult at times,going up and down steep slopes. At one point we rode on a ancient trail used by the indigenous people to go to the coast from the mountains. Because it was so old the sides of the trail were 3 to 5 feet high. We ate a picnic lunch (the people not the horses) and then circled back to the ranch. Four hours in all. Everyone was very stiff and sore after the ride. I really regret that I didn't take the opportunity to canter when the guide offered it. Only two people did it but it has been over two years since I had ridden and I was too afraid. I know, Leah, you think I am crazy.

Pululahua crater

Crater

Heidi and Eldron

Good-bye horses