Ecuador is an amazing country, rich in indigenous culture and biodiversity. Our journey here was brief, because it was impossible to make the necessary arrangements to ship our camper from Cartagena, Colombia without actually being there. And so we persevered, enjoying what we could along the way.

Our journey through Ecuador, August 28 – September 4, 2016

We enjoyed our drive through the Southern Highlands, through Loja and into the historic city of Cuenca. It is said to be the most European city in Ecuador due to its 16th and 17th century era Spanish colonial architecture. The center of the city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its many historical buildings.

Market. Loja, Ecuador

City center, Loja, Ecuador

A typical street in Loja, Ecuador

Countryside near Loja, Ecuador

Historic center of Cuenca, Ecuador

Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepción, Cuenca, Ecuador

Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepción, Cuenca, Ecuador

View from Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepción, Cuenca, Ecuador

Santuario Mariano, historic center of Cuenca, Ecuador

Urban art, Cuenca, Ecuador

In Cuenca we learned that Panama hats have never been made in Panama, but originated in Ecuador where they are still made today.  These hats are created from toquilla straw, using a tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation as part of Ecuador’s cultural heritage. They’re important enough to have been added to the UNESCO Intangible Heritage List.  We toured a shop and saw how they were made; somehow we resisted the temptation to buy one!

Panama hat workshop and store, Cuenca, Ecuador

Panama hat workshop and store, Cuenca, Ecuador

Panama hat workshop and store, Cuenca, Ecuador

The highlight of our visit was our birdwatching tour in the cloud forest of the Mindo Valley, just west of Quito. Although about half the size of France, Ecuador has around 50% of the bird species in the world. These magnificent ecosystems are endangered and we felt fortunate to have been there.  We stayed at a campground that was run by a French expat, just outside Mindo village. He recommended a knowledgeable guide for us and we had an awesome experience!

Camping, La Bicock Ecolodge, Mindo, Ecuador

Mindo, Ecuador

Mindo, Ecuador

Birdwatching, Mindo Cloud Forest, Ecuador

Blue necked and blue-gray tanagers, Mindo Cloud Forest, Ecuador

Sickle-winged guan, Mindo Cloud Forest, Ecuador

Pale mandibled araçari, Mindo Cloud Forest, Ecuador

Guayaquil woodpecker, Mindo Cloud Forest, Ecuador

Pale mandibled araçari, Mindo Cloud Forest, Ecuador

Orange billed sparrow, Mindo Cloud Forest, Ecuador

Crested guan, Mindo Cloud Forest, Ecuador

Sandy, our birdwatching guide, Mindo Cloud Forest, Ecuador

Before leaving the country we stopped at the famous Craft Market in Otovalo, which is filled with a variety of locally made goods… time to search for bargains and practice our Español!

Craft market, Otovalo, Ecuador

Panama hat inspection, Craft Market, Otovalo, Ecuador

Merchants at craft market, Otovalo, Ecuador

We found a pleasant campground that was operated by German expats and filled with German tourists.  Then it was time to cross the border into Colombia…

Typical overland camper at Finca Sommerwind, Ibarra, Ecuador