We flew from Quito to Coca, then hopped on a motorized canoe to ride an hour to our eco-lodge. The lodge is located on a tributary off the Napo River which is a tributary of the Amazon River. This is the Amazonian rainforest where one needs a machete when not walking on an already established trail. We stayed on private property at this eco-lodge. Three nights at the lodge were luxurious!

We took numerous nature walks during the days. Wearing Wellies (rubber boots) were helpful so wet material, ants and whatever did not get on or in our shoes. We saw sloths, frogs, toads, termites, monkeys and birds while also learning about the plants used for food and/or medicines. Definitely stay away from bullet ants; apparently their bite really hurts!

One night we took a boat ride and were surrounded by fireflies! They were flashing their lights as we remained silent to hear the sounds of the jungle. I loved this time.

We had no electricity at the lodge due to a recent break in the electrical line, but the lodge ran a generator from 6AM to 10AM and again at 6PM to 10PM. I appreciated the less electricity and no WiFi to truly have a sense of being away from it all. I mean, we are in Amazon’s jungle after all!

Where we stayed was a private preserve. Across the river we noticed the flames of natural gas being burned off as oil companies do their work. It’s a controversial topic here in Ecuador. 

The Amazon days were busy as we maneuvered around the area. We saw a three- toed sloth, squirrel monkeys, toads, frogs, beautiful blue morph butterflies, termites, bats and centipedes.