El Oriente to Manta


Continued....
We were woken at 5.30 am for a bird watching expedition. A low mist shrouded the river and we motored slowly stopping frequently to observe the birds and monkeys. We saw toucans, , white faced monkeys, king eagle, other monkeys, iridescent blue butterflies. At the end of the lagoon we scrambled up the bank with Rita giving us a good pull (one very strong lady who incidentally handled a machete with panache) who just about tossed us onto the bank. We climbed an eight story viewing platform ( definitely not certifiable by DOC standards) It was built around a tall styraight tree. Large conga ants scurried up and down the trunk and you were in danger of a nasty sting if you put your hand on them.
After breakfast we went pirranah fishing (as you do). The tourists with the stick and short line were unsuccessful but there was plenty of excitement when the boat driver caught a large pirranah. Shortly after this he caught a second large one (30 cms) and at the same time caught a manta ray (over a metre long) on his second line. I noticed that the Rita the native guide was happily barefoot whilst helping to sort this out but our guide had his feet well up the side of the dugout. We ate the pirranah for dinner that night.
After lunch we visited the local cuecha community and enjoyed the friendliness of the kids. A game of soccer on the sandbank and then back for a final dinner where the cook surpaced himself with two amazing cakes. A impromptu concert of guitar, spoons, water barrel drums and singing ensued.

Monday dawned drizzly and by the time we headed off in the dugout to treavel back to Lago Ario the tropical rain had strengthened so we were hunkered down for a 4 hour trip with ponchos pulled tight and the rain still blasting in our face. Needless to say the rain stopped when we arrived and we were steam dried in a short while.

We continued our travels with a 2 hour bus trip to Lago ario , and a plane trip to Quito then another to Manta where Hazel has lived for the past 3 months.
Ecuador met us at the airport and we were introduced to the extended family. Sylvia the mum, Leo (21) , Melissa (12), Neice & nephew Yuleidye (8) & Victor and Victors Neice Jenni (3).
It was a hospitable time in manta and we visited the university, beach, Hazels Foundation where she worked and Monte Christi where Panama hats are sold. We seemed to eat endlessly.

A few observations about life in Ecuador
- Lots of Datsuns and generally BOS cars suitable for the autocross track
- Bus and Taxi Drivers who think they are on the autocross track
- every second car is a bright yellow taxi so it really is like a race track
- Buses stop anywhere to pick up and drop off. We had one that stopped in the middle of a roundabout and then the conductor proceeded to stop the traffic for us to board.
- In the cities buses cost 25 cents to anywhere
- In the regions buses cost $1 per hour of travel
- Sellers of food, drink, yoghurt, biscuits, ice blocks, reading glasses, jewellery, herbal remedies hop on and off buses constantly and along with the loud music or videos there is never a dull moment.
- there seem to be alot of sausage dogs in Manta and if its not a sausage dog then it has been crossed with one somewhere in its ancestry with an elongated body and a definite waddle
- Ecador is definitely not a place to go on a diet as the food is so cheap, appetising and plentiful. banana 3 for 10cents, pinepple 50 cents, cooked breakfast $2.50, dinner crepe $1.90, standard house lunch $2.50 ( all US$$).
- Ecuadorian people are genuinely friendly and go out of there way to help you.
- the showers are cold