Wet & Wild

6.4.2018 The Sinamune Disabled Children's Orchestra; Both Sides of the Equator; and TWO stops at Noe In 1992, Maestro Palacio, along with his wife and daughter, founded the Sinamune Disabled Children's Orchestra, a national music system for special-needs children and adults. The hope is that they overcome mental and visual challenges by learning to play a musical instrument, and that they gain confidence as a result. Since 2004, the Grand Circle Foundation has helped refurbish this school's auditorium; purchase vehicles for transporting equipment and instruments to concerts; supply computers and musical instruments and offer scholarships.  Here are some truly heartwarming video clips from the concert they performed for us: https://youtu.be/RHPAOCsdId8    (I loved watching these 2 characters interact with each other) https://youtu.be/56a_U7o64-k https://youtu.be/_gGgAe-eJ9E (impressive choreography) https://youtu.be/20BV-3Hm_88 (had to learn the trumpet lef

6.3.2018 The Biosphere Reserve - the Highest Point of the Cajas National Park Tres Cruces (three crosses) is a natural viewpoint on the border of the Manu Biosphere Reserve. During the months of June and July (winter solstice), the light from the sunrises passes through the humid atmosphere and distorts it like a prism - making it appear as if there are 3 suns - one which jumps from one side to the other. On our way back to Quito, we stop at a local family farm in Guayaquil where we learn about the production of rice, cacao (cocoa plants), mangoes and other citrus. Cacao pods Premium cacao pods. Inside the cacao - soft white morsels that are fairly tasty and tart  (just suck them - DO NOT chew)! Heating up the beans. Smashing the shells before grinding into unsweetened chocolate paste.

6.2.2018 Cajas National Park - the South American Version of an Alpine Tundra Glacial waters provide the cleanest water in Ecuador.  Stringent farming restrictions are enforced on those property owners  with cows, horses and other animals with regard to animal waste and fertilizer. Cajas National Park factoids: - west of Cuenca in the Ecuadorean highlands - 28,544 hectares  - between 10,000-14,500 feet above sea level - declared a national park 11/5/1996 - daily use is limited to 114 people (so get there early) - known for its trails through evergreen cloud forests and hundreds of lakes - home to Andean condors, giant hummingbirds Our phenomenal naturalist, Christian. He used to live in NJ  and attended Rutgers University. After a phenomenal lunch of super-fresh trout (which was being farmed in pools surrounding the restaurant), we headed back to Cuenca to visit a local artist with a rare disease that rendered h

6.1.18 Exploring Cuenca What luck to arrive in this city during the festival celebrating the feast of Christ the King! I have never seen so many stalls of cookies, candy, donuts and sweet rolls! And of course the best way to enjoy it was to consume copious amounts of sugar. Even the bees were loving it!  Every evening for a week residents and visitors were treated to a different fireworks show every night - and they were quite elaborate. Cuenca factoids: - located in southern Ecuadoran mountains - known for Tomebamba River waterfront & "panama" hats - Parque Calderon, the central plaza is home to Cathedral Nueva & 16th century Cathedral Vieja (now a religious musem). - 700,000+ urban population - center of the city listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. - filled with well-preserved Spanish Colonial architecture - named for the 4 rivers that come together in a basin The women were definitely more interesting in their native colors and "