From Mindo, we went to visit Hector and Rosario Rivera, close friends of friends of ours in Peterborough, where they are busy adding an Ecotourism Hostel to the farm. Hector and Rosario treated us like old friends and we felt most welcome at El Cauchero (named after the native rubber tree). We were the first guests to stay in one of their new chalet type accomodations, which are lovely. We also enjoyed meeting all of their children, Daniel, Andrea and David, and eating Rosario's delicious local food!. Our Spanish improved immensely while we stayed with them because we were so eager to share stories and ideas. Danny was great, showing us around and acting as an interpreter when we reached language road blocks.
The property is Hector's childhood farm, located on the whitewater Guallabamba River. It is near the small town of El Chantal in the lower cloud forests of the sierra's western slope. Hector shared his extensive knowledge of local plant uses, history of the region, and the ancient ceremonial site of Tulipe. We hiked up the large hill on the property to gain beautiful vistas of the sierra region with tropical forests and small farms as far as we could see. We also went in the small waterfall in a lovely rock canyon along the way. Other highlights of the visit were going to see the oil birds (a strange nocturnal bird that is quite rare), hummingbirds in the garden, helping paint the kitchen, and visiting artesans who use rain forest tagua nuts to make and export jewellery. The Riveras were also very generous by giving us a ride back to Quito and putting us up in their city home too!
We had a tremendous time with the Riveras and will miss them dearly. Mucho gracios por todos!
The property is Hector's childhood farm, located on the whitewater Guallabamba River. It is near the small town of El Chantal in the lower cloud forests of the sierra's western slope. Hector shared his extensive knowledge of local plant uses, history of the region, and the ancient ceremonial site of Tulipe. We hiked up the large hill on the property to gain beautiful vistas of the sierra region with tropical forests and small farms as far as we could see. We also went in the small waterfall in a lovely rock canyon along the way. Other highlights of the visit were going to see the oil birds (a strange nocturnal bird that is quite rare), hummingbirds in the garden, helping paint the kitchen, and visiting artesans who use rain forest tagua nuts to make and export jewellery. The Riveras were also very generous by giving us a ride back to Quito and putting us up in their city home too!
We had a tremendous time with the Riveras and will miss them dearly. Mucho gracios por todos!
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