The upper Amazon basin is another world dense, mysterious...even to those who know it well. it is filled with many varieties of strange exotic animals and lush plant life.With in the Amazon live primitive Indian cultures,

...Whoops! Tripped...

Some areas untouched ,unexplored,and undiscovered in the jungle area. Within this jungle live Yumbo Indians. The women weave beautiful baskets or fishnets from the materials they find in the jungle, men carve boats and paddles from the trees with great skill!.

...Our Dugout Canoe...

EL ORIENTE, as the Ecuadorians call this region, extends east of the Andes Cordillera. Quito is only a forty minute flight from the Amazonia It's a incredible experience to leave the high plateaus surrounded by the snow capped volcanoes and dive almost vertically into the forest. To go from the world of television to that of the dugout canoe is an experience we would not soon forget! We drove from Quito which is about 15 hour drive,this does not hardly bring out the sharp contrast of the two worlds.

...Kid's Panning For Gold Along The River...

You can take a bus from Quito and reach the Lago Agrio south of Rio Napo in the country's northeast in about 12 Hrs., or even go as far as Puerto Francisco de Orellana. This charming trip does not bring out the sudden contrast of the two landscapes, and two civilazations as the brief plane ride.

What was truly amazing to me is our guide cut himself..and used what they call a blood plant ...A red Sort of Sap looked like thick dark red blood really closed the wound completely! There were so many wonderful..plants in the Amazon that really do work WOW! ...

What Do You Mean No Elevators!.. Well We Got There!

Once a day, early in the morning, a four engine plane leaves Quito's airport as a regilarly scheduled service to Lago. Despite the cold at more than 9000 ft. people are wearing short sleeved shirts, since they will all be reaching a very hot and humid tropical weather in less than 50 minutes! From Lago Agrio's airport if this is you means of travel,it takes more than 3hr. to get to Puerto Francisco de Orellana, which is also called Coco 60 miles south.despite the region's development during the last few years or so, the small road linking Lago Agrio with Coco remains one of the few means of land transportation in the Amazon. As there are no bridges, ferries are used to cross the streams and rivers.

Our Guides ..Marcus.. Was Completely Crazy! But Cute!!

Puerto Francisco is really only 136 miles from Quito, as the crow flies, but however you must travel approximately 280 miles to get there.

David Trying To Shoot The Blow Pipe!

Besides motor canoes for up to 10 passangers, the Ecuadorian Amazonia has only one large boat which is not in regular service to my knowledge. A flat bottom boat designed for the Rio Napo , is the Flotel Francisco de Orellana which has the space for about 50 passengers. Apart from the cabins protected by mosquito nets, it has a resturant, a bar and a small shop. On the deck are a few tables and unbrellas to help admire the scenery better. The Flotel's interior furnishings are very simple and rustic, more fitting than the gawdy luxury tha seem to make one forget the beauties and mysteries of nature. in fact people have dinner and sleep at the Flotel. Every day at 7 o'clock in the morning, long dugout canoes with out board motors come along side to sell food fruits and different beverages. everyone carries a pair of boots,and jeans, for protection against the rains as well as a piece of plastic. From this moment the discovery of the Amazonia's begins!! it will not end until dusk around 7 in the evening.

If this is you means of travel you should spend at least 3 0r 4 day's on the Flotel to feel the most incredible contrast between the Andes and the jungle to discover the depths of the Amazonia with out feeling too much like a tourist.

...THIS IS AN UNKNOWN TRIBE NEVER BEFORE SEEN AMAZING! VIDEO...

...The Little Town Along The River ... Playing Pool With The Kids...

Jungle Life..

TO BE CONT" STAY TUNED!!..

MY ECUADOR GUIDE!..

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