We felt really relaxed when we returned from the Galapagos Islands it had been such an experience. When we got back to Guayaguil it was to learn that Peter and Jackies truck was not ready . We made the difficult decision to head off on our own as we couldn't be sure when it would be fixed. We turned south and then east and spent 2 nights in a national park at 4000 meters high up in the mountains. It was lovely but very cold and extremely wet and we headed down to Cuenca to dry out.
From there we have headed steadily north and the terrain has become very mountainous and is tropical rainforest. Last night we went on a night walk and searched for insects that lurk in the forest at night. It was fascinating and we spotted lots of huge spiders and an enormous number of different types of crickets some of which were enormous. Our guide was really good and he told us all about forest trees and plants as well as handling every thing we found!
sadly Jackie and Peter have only just left Guyaguil and are now starting to journey north, we hope to meet up with them soon.
We are hoping to do a jungle tour for 4 or 5 days where we will hopefully see a lot of the animals and birds . We are not sure yet whether J and P will be able to come too . This leaves from Lago Agrio and then you go down the river in a motorised canoe for several hours! We will stay in a camp in the jungle and go out from there. Sounds fun.
The weather is very warm and very very wet at the moment, it rains on and off all day and is torrential when it comes. You dry out very quickly though.
Today we spent 2 hours in a traffic queue as there had been a landslide on the road and it had to be cleared with a big machine. Everyone in the queue was very friendly and came to admire the truck and take pictures.
Today we have really seen a different Ecuador where people live in small wooden houses on stilts without glass in the windows or any sort of amenity. They are truly jungle people who live off the land, most of the children are barefoot as they paddle through all the water everywhere. Up until now we have seen a prosperous country with lots of new buildings and signs of economic growth, there is obviously a way to go for some of the people.
Have I mentioned that diesel is 1 dollar a gallon? We fill up for about 15 dollars that's £9. How unbelievable is that?
Will write again soon