Today we drove north out of Quito through the mountains, passing through an arid area into a sub-tropical valley to El Pahuma, which is a cloud forest area, cool and damp with dense foliage.
While traveling, the men prepared their lessons to present to the brethren in Quito on Wednesday night.
Finally we arrived at the area of the cloud forest, which has been privately owned by one family for four generations and includes an orchid preserve including some of the tiniest orchids I have ever seen.
Our guide took us through the botanical area and then on a hike to the Pacaya waterfall where we paused to take many pictures.
We drove deeper into the cloud forest to the town of Mindo where we had lunch at El Quetzal restaurant, located in conjunction with a chocolate factory. The staff at the restaurant grow their own organic produce and prepare the food using as many products as possible from their land. The food was wonderful, and after the meal we were treated to a tour of the facility to learn how chocolate is made. First, our guide showed us the pod that holds the cocoa beans inside it. (20-25 beans in one pod.)
He then took us to the area where the beans are fermented in vats covered with banana leaves and plastic for at least six days. Then they are dried for 3-4 weeks on large trays.
After the drying process, the beans are ground up and sweetened and made into the finished product. While we were out walking on the grounds, our guide showed us their peppers, guavas, bananas, and even a stevia plant, which is a natural sugar-substitute.
When we returned to the restaurant we tasted the cocoa before it was sweetened, and then sampled several of their other products before finally being served a brownie that was made from their own cocoa beans.
Our next stop was at the Mindo Butterfly Reserve, located in a tropical forested area. It is said that the reserve has 3,200 species of butterflies, some of which are endangered. The exhibition area had 25 species and we could feed the butterflies and take photographs. As it turned out, the butterflies were extremely friendly. Victoria posed with one that was especially friendly with her.
Brittany made friends with one that spent several minutes resting on her arm.
Probably the most memorable butterfly incident involved Tim. One rather large female butterfly lit on his ear and seemed to settle down there because before we knew what was happening, she had laid her eggs on his ear! Unfortunately, I do not have a photograph to post of this incident, but those of you who are interested should contact Taylor, who has it all photographically documented. Of course this unusual event brought on a flood of humorous comments, leaving poor Tim as the brunt of the joke. He was accused of having ears like a plant, and confusing the mother butterfly…or being a surrogate parent, etc. The eggs had to be left at the butterfly reserve since he could not get through customs with them…and the rest of us were not sure we wanted to travel with Tim for three more days with unwashed ears anyway.
Leaving the butterfly reserve, we watched several hummingbirds at the feeders. These hummingbirds are very large, when compared to those we have in the U.S. Although it is difficult to tell the size from the picture, this bird is about triple the size of the hummingbirds I am familiar with.
We have completed another lovely day. Tomorrow we plan to do a little shopping and then enjoy some time of worship and Bible study with the Christians who meet in south Quito. Our trip is rapidly drawing to a close. So many memories! We are wishing for beautiful things like orchids and waterfalls and butterflies in your life also.
While traveling, the men prepared their lessons to present to the brethren in Quito on Wednesday night.
Finally we arrived at the area of the cloud forest, which has been privately owned by one family for four generations and includes an orchid preserve including some of the tiniest orchids I have ever seen.
Our guide took us through the botanical area and then on a hike to the Pacaya waterfall where we paused to take many pictures.
We drove deeper into the cloud forest to the town of Mindo where we had lunch at El Quetzal restaurant, located in conjunction with a chocolate factory. The staff at the restaurant grow their own organic produce and prepare the food using as many products as possible from their land. The food was wonderful, and after the meal we were treated to a tour of the facility to learn how chocolate is made. First, our guide showed us the pod that holds the cocoa beans inside it. (20-25 beans in one pod.)
He then took us to the area where the beans are fermented in vats covered with banana leaves and plastic for at least six days. Then they are dried for 3-4 weeks on large trays.
After the drying process, the beans are ground up and sweetened and made into the finished product. While we were out walking on the grounds, our guide showed us their peppers, guavas, bananas, and even a stevia plant, which is a natural sugar-substitute.
When we returned to the restaurant we tasted the cocoa before it was sweetened, and then sampled several of their other products before finally being served a brownie that was made from their own cocoa beans.
Our next stop was at the Mindo Butterfly Reserve, located in a tropical forested area. It is said that the reserve has 3,200 species of butterflies, some of which are endangered. The exhibition area had 25 species and we could feed the butterflies and take photographs. As it turned out, the butterflies were extremely friendly. Victoria posed with one that was especially friendly with her.
Brittany made friends with one that spent several minutes resting on her arm.
Probably the most memorable butterfly incident involved Tim. One rather large female butterfly lit on his ear and seemed to settle down there because before we knew what was happening, she had laid her eggs on his ear! Unfortunately, I do not have a photograph to post of this incident, but those of you who are interested should contact Taylor, who has it all photographically documented. Of course this unusual event brought on a flood of humorous comments, leaving poor Tim as the brunt of the joke. He was accused of having ears like a plant, and confusing the mother butterfly…or being a surrogate parent, etc. The eggs had to be left at the butterfly reserve since he could not get through customs with them…and the rest of us were not sure we wanted to travel with Tim for three more days with unwashed ears anyway.
Leaving the butterfly reserve, we watched several hummingbirds at the feeders. These hummingbirds are very large, when compared to those we have in the U.S. Although it is difficult to tell the size from the picture, this bird is about triple the size of the hummingbirds I am familiar with.
We have completed another lovely day. Tomorrow we plan to do a little shopping and then enjoy some time of worship and Bible study with the Christians who meet in south Quito. Our trip is rapidly drawing to a close. So many memories! We are wishing for beautiful things like orchids and waterfalls and butterflies in your life also.
You've definitely started this day in a beautiful way. Thanks for sharing, Jane! :)
ReplyDeleteMy favorite butterflies are probably Monarchs (because I saw them yearly in San Diego) and Blue Morphos.
ReplyDeleteButterfly caviar?
ReplyDelete