Our Blog
Wahclella Falls: Easy Hike, Stunning Waterfall
We acknowledge that Wahclella Falls, located in the lower Columbia River Gorge, lies on the traditional territories of many tribes and bands who have inhabited and stewarded this land since time immemorial. The lower Columbia River, known as Wimahl in Upper Chinook...
The Most Authentic Mitad del Mundo in Ecuador
The most authentic monument to the Mitad del Mundo (aka Center of the World) lies in the small town of Buena Esperanza. Depending on traffic, it's only an hour or so outside of Quito on the way to Cayambe. Tour agencies often make the trip to Otavalo along this road...
Hiking to the Glacier at Cotopaxi National Park
If you find yourself at Cotopaxi National Park on a sunny day, you may just want to take the opportunity to hike up to the Cotopaxi glacier, especially if you've already taken the time to hike to the Refugio! The views are spectacular, both towards the icy mountain...
How To Roast Guinea Pig a la Ecuador
Let me warn you. This post is not for the faint of heart. In the mountainous regions of Ecuador people love to eat roast cuy (rhymes with gooey). A cuy is a guinea pig raised for meat. Ecuadorians raise them in small pens, caring for them until they're large enough to...
Alambi – A Hummingbird Paradise
Most people drive right by the Alambi Reserve never realizing that they are missing one of the best hummingbird gardens near Quito. The small property provides an oasis from the big city. It is a spot where you can spend a few minutes or stay for an hour or more....
Folk Art from Tigua, Ecuador
It started decades ago with a single folk artist living in Tigua - Julio Toaquiza. The men in his village had a long tradition of painting masks and drums. An art dealer in Quito asked Julio to paint on a flat surface and a new school was born. Today, there are...
Hiking Cayambe Coca National Park Near Papallacta
I wanted to write about Cayambe-Coca National Park. However, the truth is that I can't do it justice. With several access points and no safe way to transverse its grand 3,700 square kilometers (1,430 square miles), it's a park that begs to be treated like multiple...
Green Plantain Dumplings, AKA Bolón de Verde
One of the things I love about Ecuadorian chefs is that most seem willing to share their recipes. That's how I came to make Bolón de Verde - literally translated as balls of green but more appropriately called green plantain dumplings. Our First Bolón de Verde A young...
Connor’s Favorite Coleslaw
How did we discover Connor's Favorite Coleslaw? By trying to compensate for the lack of really great mayonnaise in Ecuador. Even the olive oil we purchase doesn't always guarantee a good-tasting mayo. All I can imagine is that many of the imported bottles turn rancid...
The Exclusive Beach and Trails at Chirije Lodge
Unfortunately, Chirije Lodge is closed for business. The following article was originally written in May 2014. While it is no longer possible to stay the night at Chirije, day trips to the locations are still an option with a local guide or by hiking along the beach...