Day 7: Cuenca & The AndesThis day was one of the busiest days we had, travelwise and activity wise. We started off the day by grabbing a quick breakfast, at around 6 and then sat on the bus for four hours. This was our first bus road trip!
Our first stop of the day was the cocoa farm.Here we watched how local farmers harvested cocoa and cooked it (over the stove). We then helped take the shells of the burning hot cocoa beans, which were then collected and put through a grinding machine. After the thick dark brown mixture was put back on the stove in a pot with water. Some vanilla and sugar was added to it. Not too long after we had hot chocolate made from 90% cocoa. It was bitter, yet sweet and delicious. It was sooo good, that no one really minded the fact that it was extremely hot out and we were drinking hot chocolate! Unfortunately, we could not stay long for we had to be back on road soon after the tour, to head to our next activity of the day. |
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Cocoa Process: From Farm To Table:
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About an hour later, we found ourselves at one mangrove forest. The bugs were actually insane out there. We did not see much at this mangrove but we did see a sloth and heard some howling monkeys!
Our next stop was to another mangrove forest. Here we all took full advantage of our bug suits. We actually got a picture in our hideous suits while waiting for the boat for our tour of the mangroves. The boat for the tour was so very tiny, yet fit all of us. I was really worried that if Hunter moved the wrong way, we’d all fall in the water! The site of the mangroves from the boat was incredible. We saw so many different types of birds while out on the water.
We also learned that:
Our next stop was to another mangrove forest. Here we all took full advantage of our bug suits. We actually got a picture in our hideous suits while waiting for the boat for our tour of the mangroves. The boat for the tour was so very tiny, yet fit all of us. I was really worried that if Hunter moved the wrong way, we’d all fall in the water! The site of the mangroves from the boat was incredible. We saw so many different types of birds while out on the water.
We also learned that:
- Vegetation changes with climate. Often needs a lot of rain
- Shrimp farming pollutes the water of the mangroves
- Locals are hired to catch crabs for payment in the mangroves
- Has a wide range of wildlife including; numerous species of birds, sloths and holler monkeys
- Most of the vegetation, especially those plant closer to the water have roots with specialized nodules on them. These nodules can close open and close to both deal with transpiration and to remove salt from the plant.
After the boat tour we headed back on the bus to head towards Cajas, Cuenca and the highlands. Some time after we were in Cuenca, surrounded by mountains larger than one could ever imagine! Just when you think you can’t go any higher up the mountain, you do. Being up so high, you could truly feel all the pressure on your shoulders. It was like nothing I had ever experienced before in my life! Before hiking in Cajas we got lunch at restaurant, that was so high up in the mountains that it felt like we were in the clouds.
Soon after, we all headed to Cajas National Park. Cajas was beyond beautiful! It was mountainous and colorful and warm and sunny and amazing. We even found a giant rock to take pictures on. It was beyond peaceful. More information about Cajas below!!
After spending about an hour and a half there, we all once headed back to the bus to go to our hotel in Cuenca. It was night by the time we had gotten to Hotel Victoria in Cuenca. After a full day of travel and activities we were all very exhausted.Victoria and I headed up our hotel room to unpack and take a nap. Hotel Victoria, in my opinion was one of the best hotels we stayed at during the entire trip! Victoria and I both had full size beds and a very large bathroom, it was the best! About an hour later, we went down for dinner. This dinner was also one of the best meals I had on the trip! I had salad, steak, mash potatoes and lots of sample deserts. It was sooooo delicious!
Afterwards, Victoria headed up to our room, for she was really not feeling the best. The rest of us had our nightly group meeting in Tait’s room. Afterwards, it was still early enough that I went to hang out with Aidan and Hunter and then back to my room. Overall it was a great day!
Soon after, we all headed to Cajas National Park. Cajas was beyond beautiful! It was mountainous and colorful and warm and sunny and amazing. We even found a giant rock to take pictures on. It was beyond peaceful. More information about Cajas below!!
After spending about an hour and a half there, we all once headed back to the bus to go to our hotel in Cuenca. It was night by the time we had gotten to Hotel Victoria in Cuenca. After a full day of travel and activities we were all very exhausted.Victoria and I headed up our hotel room to unpack and take a nap. Hotel Victoria, in my opinion was one of the best hotels we stayed at during the entire trip! Victoria and I both had full size beds and a very large bathroom, it was the best! About an hour later, we went down for dinner. This dinner was also one of the best meals I had on the trip! I had salad, steak, mash potatoes and lots of sample deserts. It was sooooo delicious!
Afterwards, Victoria headed up to our room, for she was really not feeling the best. The rest of us had our nightly group meeting in Tait’s room. Afterwards, it was still early enough that I went to hang out with Aidan and Hunter and then back to my room. Overall it was a great day!
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Cajas National Park:
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References:
International Cocoa Organization. (2013, June 7). Processing Cocoa. Retrieved from https://www.icco.org/about-cocoa/processing-cocoa.html
Ecuador Channel. (2018). El Cajas National Park - A Popular Outdoor Activities Destination. Retrieved from http://www.ecuador.com/protected-areas/el-cajas-national-park/
Ecuador Channel. (2018). El Cajas National Park - A Popular Outdoor Activities Destination. Retrieved from http://www.ecuador.com/protected-areas/el-cajas-national-park/