Saturday was a particularly exciting one for the Reserva Expedition team. Following a spot of pre-breakfast birding, we’d follow a remote trail up to an elevation of almost 1,700 metres, eventually reaching the mountain ridge that runs along the upper edge of our site. The hike would provide us with our first intimate glimpse of the forest we’re working to protect and, more specifically, of the astounding array of life that it supports.
Read MoreWe woke up around 6:30 AM to a beautiful blue sky and the sun barely up behind the mountains. I had a great view of the east from my room, and loved every glimpse. We went down to have breakfast and had eggs, rice and some slices of pineapple with grape juice, then started our morning by going down to Chical where the previous night, a team had set up a museum for the local students.
Read MoreA chilly, three o’clock start on Thursday morning would mark the beginning of the next part of our Ecuadorian adventure. Accompanied by our insanely enthusiastic expedition leader and partner Javier Robayo plus Ecuadorian Youth Council member Marco Monteros, Callie, Carter, and I were about to leave noisy, bustling city life behind and head 14 hours north, deep into the Chocó forest.
Read MoreBreakfast was at 7:30 in the morning and so Lucy, Callie, and I were ready by eight to eat some corn and fruit (a hearty breakfast). We discussed our schedule for the day, and looking at it, we knew it was going to be an adventure.
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