Our second and third days in Ecuador were packed with incredible experiences!
We started Monday with a tour of Yumbos Chocolate, where we sampled eight unique flavors. They ranged from chili and salt to coffee to mint! We also tried a rich brownie and hot chocolate made with 100% cacao. My personal favorite was the tangerine chocolate—it was so good that I bought some to take home!
Next, we visited a stunning church entirely covered in gold. Afterward, we had lunch at Hasta la Vuelta Señor, where I tried Humita de sal and Locro Quiteño, a soup made with potatoes, cheese, and avocado. I would definitely reccommend, the soup was so good! The Humita reminded me of cornbread, which was unexpected but tasty.
Later in the day, we toured the Bios Chocolate Factory, where we learned about the company’s history and how chocolate flavor varies based on where the cacao is grown. We got to sample several varieties—my favorites were raspberry, blackberry, and again, the tangerine! They also introduced us to their new collection and walked us through their chocolate-making process.
After the tour, we took a two-hour bus ride to Picalquí, where we stayed in a cozy lodge. On the way, we crossed the equator and took photos when the compass hit 0°. That night, we sat around a campfire and enjoyed our first evening at the lodge. It was nice to have a relaxing night before another busy day!
The next morning, we had a simple but tasty breakfast of eggs and biscuits before heading out to Ecuaroscanada S.A., a local flower farm. We toured the grounds and learned about each stage of flower growth, ending with a look at a fully bloomed rose. As a sweet gesture, they gave each of us two roses. We then did a committy visit where we met with a past mayor of Picalquí and the owner of the lodge we stayed at. They taught us about how their community functionszzdexd
Back at the lodge, we wrapped up the day by playing a soccer match against local Ecuadorian students. It was so much fun—and we even won! It was amazing to spend time with locals and connect through something as universal as sports. We ended the night with dinner before heading off to Cayambe.