Welcome back, travelers. It’s been a packed couple of days since my last post.

We continued our journey through Ecuador, visiting volcanoes, waterfalls, and even seeing some of the biggest birds in the world. Our day started at the Cotacachi volcano, where we took a boat ride around the lake inside the crater. It was incredible to see the remains of past eruptions and actually be standing inside what was once an active volcano. Later, we hiked up the mountain for another view, looking out over the town and down into the crater below.

From there, the nature tour continued to a massive waterfall deep in the jungle. The mist filled the air, covering the trees, and yes, I got a little soaked too. We wrapped up the day at a condor park, where we came face-to-face with hawks, peregrine falcons, and Ecuador’s national bird, the Andean condor. Seeing these birds up close and instead of in pictures or books was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The next day, we left Otavalo and headed deeper into the jungle. Along the way, we stopped at the equator, where I walked back and forth between the northern and southern hemispheres, testing out some of the classic “equator balance” tricks.

We continued our journey through the Andes Mountains, reaching elevations of nearly 13,000 feet. The views were unreal, with some of the tallest and most breathtaking mountains I’ve ever seen. Before arriving at our lodge, we made one last stop at natural hot springs. Sitting in the steaming water, I felt like a lobster, but it was the perfect way to relax before heading further into the jungle. We’ve now arrived at the lodge, and I’ll keep you updated on everything ahead.

Until next time,
Matt Hay