Ecuador’s Amazon Basin Jungle in El Oriente (The East)

Ecuador’s Amazon Basin Jungle in El Oriente (The East)

Traveling to the jungle from Quito meant many changes: leaving Quito at 9,400 ft. to be at less than 2,500 ft. altitude in Ecuador’s El Oriente (Eastern in Spanish) Region was only the first.  Then came flying for about 30 minutes to Coca (pop. 20,000) along the...
Galapagos Archipelago’s Boobie, Frigates and More

Galapagos Archipelago’s Boobie, Frigates and More

Rick, Wendy and Carolyn loved observing how all the animals were “ecologically naive” –no fear of predators–so they could get very close. While Giant Tortoises are the Galapagos’ emblem, Wendy’s  #1 priority was to see the Blue-Footed...
Galapagos Archipelago’s Tortoises & Other Animals

Galapagos Archipelago’s Tortoises & Other Animals

Famous Giant Tortoises: Giant Tortoises have been especially vulnerable for centuries since sailors took them for meat on-board whaling, military, or pirate ships.   Sadly, these animals had been kept alive on their backs for up to two years to serve as a source of...
Galapagos Achipelago’s Geology

Galapagos Achipelago’s Geology

About 1,000 miles west of mainland Ecuador lies the unique Galapagos province, 97% of which has been protected, since 1959, from any use except tourism and science.  It is where Charles Darwin stayed for 5 weeks during the survey voyage of the HMS Beagle and which...
Ecuador’s Bellavista Cloud Forest

Ecuador’s Bellavista Cloud Forest

About 100 miles northwest of Quito lies a huge mountainous cloud forest region at about 9,000 ft. altitude. Bellavista private preserve has an eco-lodge, scientific station, steep trails, and hundreds of birds, insects, and exotic semi-tropical plants within its...