08/06/2019 – Travel day Quito to Maquipucuna, Ecuador

We got up and fell into mum and dads room for morning coffee, crumpets and more fresh croissants. We finished packing up and got collected at 0900 by our driver Bernardo in a big comfortable people carrier. We drove out of Quito to the equator museum where we did a few science experiments – such as looking at which way the water drains down the sink on the different sides of the equator, as well as balancing an egg on a nail, a challenge we all rose to.

Yellow line = Equator.

William in the Southern hemisphere, Ali in the Northern hemisphere.

We had a quick coffee then got back into the car. We drove a good couple of hours further North West down the mountains, into the green of the rainforest. We crossed a bridge that didn’t look like a car should, and arrived at the Maquipucuna cloud forest reserve and ecolodge. Our bags were taken for us and we were shown to our cabins. Dad had upgraded us so we have panoramic glass walls, a view of the river and the rainforest, and sliding doors opening up to a little balcony. To Joshs’ delight there are insects wherever you look (I try not to look too much when inside our bedroom!) Green and yellow crickets, huge spiders, leaf cutter ants and caterpillars.

Green and yellow grass hopper.

Leaf cutter ants.

Then we were served lunch in the outdoor kitchen area – rice, fish, vegetables and homemade lemonade. Our entertainment was watching the hummingbirds feeding at the nearby bird feeders, as well as loads of colourful butterflies. My favourite is the butterfly with see through wings.

Humming birds dancing around.

See through butterfly.

Mum and dad have lent us some binoculars, which I have really been enjoying – I guess I really am 30 now! We smothered ourselves in deet and put on long trousers and boots before our welcome briefing and orientation. Then we went out for a walk on one of the trails where our guide pointed out many birds including Toucans! He is really skilled at spotting things, and carries a telescope with him so we can see what he is talking about. You can tell our guide enjoys bird spotting - he can immediately tell you the name and show you in his book what you have just seen. The other guests here are a retired English couple who are ticking off a list of the birds they see. Dad has nicknamed the man Colonal Bogey!

Colonal Bogey with green bag on,

We got back and had half an hour before dinner – spaghetti bolognaise. Then we were taken for a night walk by our evening guide. We were in anoraks and wellington boots equipped with torches. We saw a monkey like animal called a ‘kinkajou’ up in the trees and butterfly lava that glows luminescent in the dark. Josh got wrapped in a web and we found a silk worm on the pocket of his tracksuit bottoms! We got home at around 22:00 and showered and bed for an early rise tomorrow.