On the next walk in the reserve, we discovered the polylepis trees.
These trees have a personality of their own and grow as they like. They too grow very slowly and are hundreds of years old.
Bromeliads growing atop the polylepis... which does not seem unusual until you remind yourself that they are growing at an altitude of 3500 meters above sea.
This small foliage caught my attention for the peculiar shape of its leaves.
We passed a lovely waterfall along the hike.
And lastly, I was introduced to this species of plants as "white russian imported plants". Alas, I know no more other than their colour which is white as snow!
The parks in the northern end of Ecuador are famous for their interesting shapes.
This one even has the words "Bienvenidos" (Welcome) made out of the foliage of these cyprus trees.
This reminded me of the face of an old man.
And I couldn't believe that I saw a bird "carved" out of the tree as well.
Front shot of the bird.
This caricature was also quite funny.
Weekend trip with my Ecuadorian friend, Cecy, started with a stay in her family's lovely vacation home in Santo Domingo de los Colorados.
Cecy and her older brother, Alfredo, who stays in the house to maintain it year round and keep the burglars out.
Cecy and I especially enjoyed a refreshing swim in their beautiful pool after walking around all day in the downtown area of the city.
Isreal, friend of the family, kept us laughing all day with his jokes.
An odd place to put the town's main church,... next to a series of radio and tv antennaes. Made for an odd picture though.
Oranges, Uvos ("unripened almond fruit"), and peeled green mangoes for sale in the street.
More colourful furry flowers.
After a three hours bus ride, we arrived in Atacames, found a hostel, and went for lunch. Here I am enjoying a delicious Cazuela Seafood Platter, a coastal specialty in Ecuador. The sauce is made of plaintains and peanuts. I was inspired by the appearance, but the thick gooey sauce made it VERY difficult and messy to remove lobster and crab shells!
Cecy enjoying a coconut drink at a cool "swing seats" bar.
