Welcome to the Jungle

For most people the Amazon exists only on the pages of a textbook. For us, it is a reality unlike any other. The adventure starts with a dramatic plane ride over the mountains of central Ecuador and a descent into the eastern jungle. From Coca Airport we took a 4 hour boat ride east on the Rio Napo until we turned into a dense thicket of wild growth. We traveled through a series of seemingly unnavigable canals until we reached an enormous lagoon that served as the front yard for the Dolphin Cabins.

That evening one of our guides took a few of us on a very brief walk through the jungle. Within 20 minutes we were standing in front of the largest tree any of us had ever seen – and it had a vine a swing! Each of us took a turn swinging and banging our hands to our chests Tarzan and Jane style. The rest of the evening was devoted to rest and relaxation on one of the many hammocks scattered around the cabins.

The next day started off at 6 am for the brave early risers who took row boats through the lagoons in search of exotic and colorful birds. Then all of us took a 6 hour hike through the heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon. The colors, sounds, smells, plants, and insects became increasingly amazing. Enormous bright blue butterflies, crimson sap from the Dragon’s Blood Tree, dancing Spiders, eerie vines, and mushrooms that can be used as paper are just a few of the highlights. Some students even saw a river dolphin from the canoe as they waited for the late comers to emerge from the jungle.

We put the lagoon to good use after our hike. We took an enormous row boat to its center and dove, flipped, and canon-balled into the warm, soothing water. Most of the group took out smaller boats soon after and watched a stunning sunset before an enormous and wonderful dinner.

We had another hike planned the following day, but some people were still tired from our previous outing in the jungle. So we split into two groups – one headed out to fish for Piranhas and the other went for a 3 hour hike through swamps. We all got stuck in the thunderstorms though! What’s the rain forest without a little rain? The group that went on the hike had a riotous time and did a lot of swamp wrestling, mud throwing, and native herb sampling. Students found a fruit whose seeds can be mashed into red body paint; naturally, they painted beautiful designs on faces or smeared warrior markings on the rest of their bodies.

Both groups reunited and again had an afternoon siesta on the hammocks before another session of swimming in the lagoon. That evening, some of the hikers took out row boats to go fishing. Soon two massive rainbows emerged across from the golden haze of the sunset and they brought home 2 Piranhas and a Catfish! We finished the night with a very special group meeting and prepared for our early departure the next day.

Now we are back in Quito and have a very fun final night of surprises waiting for us. The group is happy and healthy (in spite of a few stomach aches) and we as leaders could not be happier with the arch of our travels.

This trip has been wonderful, adventurous, and has truly made a difference in the lives of the entire community of Panecillo. I hope you have enjoyed following our blog and treasure the stories that everyone brings home with them.

Signing off,
Shereef and Sarah