Mindo...7/16-7/19

Everyone arrived back in Quito by Thursday. We hopped a bus and headed to Mindo around 1pm. Took about 3 hrs to get there. A little bit about Mindo...its located northwest of Quito and it is a paradise of biodiversity. The area is one of the planet’s richest areas with respect to the concentration of bird species, including hummingbirds (recognized as the bird of Quito), as well as numerous butterflies (40 kinds), insects, amphibians, and mammals. Orchids are also prominant in this area. Mindo is situated between the high temperate area and the tropical rainforest. It rains a lot! It is a small town with about 2500 people. This wonderful and peaceful place is nestled between mountain chains and surrounded by 19'000 hectares of forests.

Looks like a Lady Slipper to me!

Stayed at El Gallo de la Pena Hotel. Ok but it felt more hostel-like than a hotel.

Mid-service Thursday afternoon until 7pm. Had wood-fired pizza for dinner. Every other restaurante was a pizza joint. Not sure what was up with that.

Friday all day conference. Beautiful day but didn't get to enjoy it much. Dinner at El Cafe with the group. Saturday, conference til 11:30am. Sarah, Mohammadau and I stayed an extra day/night so we could see mariposas (butterflies), zip-line, and horseback ride. Road in the back of a pick-up truck on way to see butterflies. They were so cool! We dipped our fingers in smooshed bananas to attrack them.

Took in the thrill of zip-lining (canopy) in the afternoon. Oh my gawd!! No worries in Ecuador...just go! At least we had helmets on! 13 different lines that zig-zagged over the canopy of trees. Unbelievable!! And all for the low price of $10!!! We spent over 2 hours walking and CLIMBING from one line to the next. We were with a group of students from Stanford who were fun. The guides were awesome. Never will forget the "Superman" (look mom, no hands!) and "Mariposa" (upside down butterfly). See video for the real thing. I had to do each one twice for twice the thrill!! You know me!

Ready, set...

the butterfly Superman

See for yourself!

Safety, at last!

Never did get horseback riding. The people said "the horses are being washed!" Whatever! This was the closest we got to them.

Hello, can you see us?

Went to a Frog Concert in the evening. We walked what felt like miles to get to this place. A little "rainforest" within Mindo. It is located at Mindo Lago Hosteria. What a little slice of rainforest heaven. And without fail, the frogs were out in full force entertaining the 50 or so folks with their variations of croaking. Then took a night walk around the place to see cockroaches (at least 4 inches), big spiders, numerous frogs, etc.

Ecuador, banana capital of the world!

Frog concert at Mindo Lago

Stopped at little market for jewelry, etc. Had to also get back in time for batidos (smoothies) at the Swing Bar by the hotel. Delicious~

Went back for more wood-fired pizza at El Nomada, which was fantastic. Jer, I think I got my fill of pizza now. We were joined by Sarah's new Ecua-friends she met in the pool, Jimmy and Daniel.