The great thing about Ecuador is that it's a relatvely small country compared to other countries in South America and has lots to offer adventuring tourists. I'm talking about the mighty Oriente, the Amazon!
Dad & I just recently returned from our awesome 5 day adventure to the Cuyabeno Reserve in The Oriente of Ecuador through Samona Expeditions. We went fairly deep into the jungle. Just to give you an indication we took a bus from Quito to Lago Agrio (7 hrs), then a van to the Cuyabeno River (2 hrs) and then we took a motorised canoe on the beautiful river to reach our naturally beautiful Samona Lodge(2 hrs).
Even though it took a while to reach our lodge the canoe ride over the river warmed us up for the adventures that awaited us in the jungle. Dad and I took a motorised canoe up the Cuyabeno River (the boat about 25m length) manned by two men, Dario (18yrs, the Captain of the boat who was in control of the engine) and Frederico (about 30s up the front of the boat).
Only 5 mins into our trip oer the river we came across our first obstacle, a fallen tree which went right across the river. I thought we'd have to turn back to get a chain saw to cut the tree because the boat couldn't go through. After Dario and Frederico had a quick 2 minute examination of the tree, Dario reversed the boat and the next thing I know he is telling us to hold on to the boat it's going to be rough! WHAT?!
Dario cranked up the engine and the next thing I know I'm clinging onto the boat and screaming as we skimmed over the top of the fallen tree! lol It was so exhilarating! I was all smiles after that! Cheering and woohooing! What a start to our trip! I wish I took a video of us flying over! :)
The first 2 days were pretty hot and the humidity was of course very high, kind of like Cairns in Quensland, Australia. The temperature was 32 degrees. But with that sort of weather we were able to cool ourselves down by taking a nice relaxing swing in the Lagoon close to our lodge. Yes I can't believe we actually swam (more than once) in the waters of the amazon amongst the pirrahnas and whatever else lye in the water!
I was a little reluctant to at first but when our guide, David and Dario were the first to go I felt safe. They have never been bitten by anything in the water any time year round, however of course only swim in the daytime. Caiman (crocadiles) come out at night to feed.
The Caiman watching was another thrilling adventure for us as our search for them occured in the darkness, the only light coming from our torches in search of the Caimans' reflective red eyes near the banks of the river.
Dario and David were quick to find them too! The first two we saw were small and the boat was only one metre from them! The caiman lie still in the water almost as if they were stunned by the lights beaming on them. My digital camera died on me though and I wasn't able to take a great shot of them! We also saw two large Caimans, one of which we were only 2 metres from! It made me a little nervous but very excited at the same time!
Walking through the jungle was also just as adventurous! We trudged through the muddy swamps in our boots which were provided and spotted monkeys in the distance insects of all kinds, birds, flowers, termite nests and a poisonous snake (called Fur de Lance) asleep coiled on a log.
We also went pirrahna fishing and I was the lucky fisherman that caught most of the fish! David the guide also caught one. I caught two pirrahnas and one small cat fish which flew into the canoe.
Playing card games in the evening was also a lot of fun. We played a game called Donkey where the loser had to do a punishment (kind of like a dare).
Dad & I just recently returned from our awesome 5 day adventure to the Cuyabeno Reserve in The Oriente of Ecuador through Samona Expeditions. We went fairly deep into the jungle. Just to give you an indication we took a bus from Quito to Lago Agrio (7 hrs), then a van to the Cuyabeno River (2 hrs) and then we took a motorised canoe on the beautiful river to reach our naturally beautiful Samona Lodge(2 hrs).
Even though it took a while to reach our lodge the canoe ride over the river warmed us up for the adventures that awaited us in the jungle. Dad and I took a motorised canoe up the Cuyabeno River (the boat about 25m length) manned by two men, Dario (18yrs, the Captain of the boat who was in control of the engine) and Frederico (about 30s up the front of the boat).
Only 5 mins into our trip oer the river we came across our first obstacle, a fallen tree which went right across the river. I thought we'd have to turn back to get a chain saw to cut the tree because the boat couldn't go through. After Dario and Frederico had a quick 2 minute examination of the tree, Dario reversed the boat and the next thing I know he is telling us to hold on to the boat it's going to be rough! WHAT?!
Dario cranked up the engine and the next thing I know I'm clinging onto the boat and screaming as we skimmed over the top of the fallen tree! lol It was so exhilarating! I was all smiles after that! Cheering and woohooing! What a start to our trip! I wish I took a video of us flying over! :)The first 2 days were pretty hot and the humidity was of course very high, kind of like Cairns in Quensland, Australia. The temperature was 32 degrees. But with that sort of weather we were able to cool ourselves down by taking a nice relaxing swing in the Lagoon close to our lodge. Yes I can't believe we actually swam (more than once) in the waters of the amazon amongst the pirrahnas and whatever else lye in the water!
I was a little reluctant to at first but when our guide, David and Dario were the first to go I felt safe. They have never been bitten by anything in the water any time year round, however of course only swim in the daytime. Caiman (crocadiles) come out at night to feed.
The Caiman watching was another thrilling adventure for us as our search for them occured in the darkness, the only light coming from our torches in search of the Caimans' reflective red eyes near the banks of the river.
Dario and David were quick to find them too! The first two we saw were small and the boat was only one metre from them! The caiman lie still in the water almost as if they were stunned by the lights beaming on them. My digital camera died on me though and I wasn't able to take a great shot of them! We also saw two large Caimans, one of which we were only 2 metres from! It made me a little nervous but very excited at the same time!
Walking through the jungle was also just as adventurous! We trudged through the muddy swamps in our boots which were provided and spotted monkeys in the distance insects of all kinds, birds, flowers, termite nests and a poisonous snake (called Fur de Lance) asleep coiled on a log.
We also went pirrahna fishing and I was the lucky fisherman that caught most of the fish! David the guide also caught one. I caught two pirrahnas and one small cat fish which flew into the canoe.
Playing card games in the evening was also a lot of fun. We played a game called Donkey where the loser had to do a punishment (kind of like a dare).
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