We went to El Cajas, one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. Guess what? We forgot our camera. I blame Jack, of course. You should, too. JK!!!! The above is a photo I stole from the internet. It doesn't do justice to the place, of course, but it's a small glimpse at least.
It was very hilly, green and sparse-looking, with spectacular views--like Wales. It's dotted with crystal clear lakes, and the ground is spongy, moist and soft. It has a unique ecology, with a number (unknown by me) of endemic species. The very rare Andean Spectacled Bear lives there. We saw wolf, rabbit, and llama poop. Our guide told us that the wolves look "stoned" when you see them because their eyes are so bloodshot. We didn't see any mammals because they are shy (and endangered), but we may go back for a camping trip in November; our guide told us we would have a good chance of seeing mammals if we did.
There was also a strange, tiny rainforest in the park. It was tightly packed with red, sinewy trees. The trees' bark peels off, like Jack's skin after a sunburn. They were covered in moss, bromeliads and orchids. We slid through the forest, as it was very muddy and sloped. It was fun (Jack's favorite part).
This region is fascinating because the climate is so variable. The light is always changing, and when the sun comes out, it is intense due to the altitude. You suddenly feel this lovely warmth spreading all over you, like a shot of whiskey. (ha!) In Spanish, it is common to say that the sun feels "delicious" (rico).
Oh... and the trip also featured a fat man from Uruguay who was having a hard time.
This blog was brought to you by,
Gillian Barlow Graham
1 comment:
if he takes you to a place like this and forgets the camera- ditch the guy, you can't depend on him
Post a Comment