“High Andean jungle” - those 3 words were enough to make my heart beat a little faster and begin a series of images flowing through my head. It was the offer to guide us into the jungle for an overnight stay from the owners of Magic Stone in Baños that also caused us to extend our stay from 4 days to 2 full weeks. The idea of not only exploring this new landscape but also spending the night was too much to resist.
And so it was that Monday morning we climbed onto a bus to take us out to Topo to begin our hike and adventure into the jungle. What we discovered was not only beauty and diversity, but also that every experience can be viewed in a positive light.
…hiking in the pouring rain up a river bed for 3.5 hours gives you the opportunity to see why the area is so green.
…crossing a hanging bridge built in 1935 that seems to have never been repaired allows you to face your fear and keep on going.
…falling down on the trail, beating up your shoulder, spraining your wrist and covered in mud is a chance to pick yourself up, literally, and decide to keep going.
…happiness can be as simple as arriving at your shelter, wet but oh so happy.
… discovering nature, and having it discover you is magical.
…not sleeping all night due to the cold and sound of a large animal visiting camp can be erased by a few simple comforts - coffee, a roaring fire, and candlelight.
…there is always something new around the corner (in this case a pair of trees that fell to block our path) and be thankful when your guide packs a machete (thanks Ove).
After 2 days we left our shelter happier than we have been so far on this trip. Of course, it would be easy to focus only on the rain, the lack of sleep, the drenched clothes, and 15km of hiking. However, as the picture below shows, we left with huge smiles on our faces. After all we slept out in the jungle under a blanket of fireflies and saw animals and plants that few have seen before. Life really is amazing.
For more pictures, check out our Flickr page.
About Warren
Life really IS amazing and so are you two! Wow…so much fun living though you vicariously right now!
Thanks Kate for the kind words. We are having the time of our lives and enjoying sharing the experiences with you guys.
Good for you two! We too have found that so much of how your life turns out is your outlook on things. I’m thrilled you were able to find the joy in the absolutely amazing place you were in rather than focus on the negatives. Continue to enjoy and thrive!
Outlook is so key to how we experience life but I know that it can be hard to constantly be an optimist. However, over the last 2 years we have been working hard to take each situation as it comes and find the positive aspect of it. Often it is not possible in the moment, but taking some time later to reflect has been a great approach for us.
It is nice to meet a fellow positive person as I am sure it is far less stressful and keeps you smiling more.
Going through what you did to get to this incredible place just made it all the more satisfying (I’m venturing to guess).
As you say, you are seeing things many of us will not have the joy of seeing. I’m loving this particular story of adventure—and the fact that you are documenting it all.
You two are pretty amazing. : ) Thanks for making us all feel a part of this.
Judy, you are absolutely right. If we had just gotten off the bus and walked 50m to the shelter it never would have been so special. Now, halfway through the hike when we were sore and dripping wet I cannot say we would have agreed:)
We are just wondering when you and Bob are going to join us for part of this adventure to share a story together…
Ahhh… living vicariously through you two………. I was wondering why my wrist was hurting the other day! So which one of you wiped out on the trail and was the other acting very concerned while at the same time trying not to laugh?
lol!
Okay, Mr. Smarty Pants - it was me that fell. My wrist is still aching and I have an awesome bruise on my shoulder that looks like I lost a bar fight. Walking up a stream bed that is full of wet rocks is a bit tricky.
Warren is still alive today because he didn’t laugh. I’m afraid if it was you, Tranque, I would have had to feed you to the puma.
Tranque, we can talk offline about the power of silence and the years of practice at not laughing out loud. I have found these 2 skills critical.
I love your blog and reading about your travels. Your jungle adventure reminds me of a few that my husband and I have had in Belize over the years; being stalked by a jaguar, a near catastrophe in a jungle waterfall, and more. I love the beauty, sounds, smells, peace, and occasional adrenalin rush of the rainforest jungle. Enjoy your adventures and travels. Keep living your dreams. You are an inspiration to many of us.
Carmen, any story that involves a jaguar and waterfall is a story that we would love to read. Sounds like a great experience and certainly memories you will have for a lifetime. We are off to Colombia so looking forward to new experiences to share and discuss.
I am writing a memoir about my little “adventures” in Belize over the past decade. I’ll let you know when it is finished next year. Enjoy your time in Columbia and I am looking forward to reading about your trip. Safe travels.
what a trip - but I would expect no less from you two! After nearly being derailed by a political coup and then an erupting volcano, WHY would you think a trek through the jungle would be uneventful - bwaaaahaaaaaahaaaaa
Aw, it seems every week I have a new favorite picture of you guys. That’s a great one. I love hearing about your adventures and what they’re teaching you about life.
When my dad started backpacking in his 30s, he had 3 kids but he didn’t let that stop him, he took us with him. I think back to all the complaining I did and wince, but those trips taught me the incredible beauty of the Sierra Nevada and what it’s like to sleep under the stars and not see other humans all day. I thank him for it now.
And getting into camp for a shower and a burger was an integral part of the trip!