Today was an amazing day of travel, in spite of more dismal weather--rainy and chilly. We headed east toward Puyo (with the ultimate destination being a botanical park in the Amazonian rainforest) and stopped along the way at a cable car crossing of the Rio Pastanza. In the following photo (l to r), Toa and Sioui (our two guides), along with Kathy, Katy, and Tina are preparing to cross the river.

The crossing allowed a relatively close-up view of an incredible waterfall pictured below. As I suggested yesterday, it is very difficult for a photo to capture the raw power of this river, especially at this juncture. Keep in mind that this river is one of many that all feed into the Amazon River. Ron Gettinger told me that many of the others have a heavier flow than the Pastanza, so it is easy to imagine why the Amazon is such a large and powerful river.

We made a stop at another waterfall along the Rio Pastanza--Pailon del Diablo. Here is a photo of  Rachel enjoying the power of the falls.

In Puyo, we enjoyed the rainforest from the vantage point of the Parque Ethnobotánico Omaere. It was everything you would expect and more. Here is Tina next to a couple of Melatomastaceai trees. Check out the root structure!

In this next photo our guide has identified a low-growing plant that has at the base of its leaves, little pockets, which, when broken open contained ants that had a lemon flavor, and were--hold your breath for this--edible. In the photo, Jessica and Justine are being brave and trying this rainforest delicacy.

The following gorgeous plant is a Costus. Its stem has medicinal properties that can be of benefit to an upset stomach. As you can see, its flower has a very pleasing effect on the eyes.

Here is a photo of Jessica feeding a green parrot a piece of apple.

Finally, here is a partial group photo (Jessica, Justine, Rachel, Tina, and Jenn) at the restaurant of the Hostal El Jardin. I must say that I had one the tastiest meals I have ever had there, along with the best cappuccino I have ever encountered.

Tomorrow, we drive back to Quito and fly out early Sunday morning.