Day 23. Saturday, 21st September, 2024. From Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge to River Songs Hotel, in Mindo, Ecuador.

Bellavista 

I was sitting in the front of Poki and Dennis was preparing breakfast, when a van pulled up beside us. Out stepped a gentleman who came over to Poki. I thought he was a visiting tourist from the U.K. He was, however, Bellavista’s owner, Richard, a quintessential Brit from Derbyshire. Richard has lived in Ecuador for many years and built this beautiful lodge high in the cloud forest. 

During the course of the morning we had some animated conversations with Richard and his staff, talking about our travels. We seem to have created quite a bit of interest with many requests for photos of Poki and her map.

After a lovely warm shower, I had stopped to watch the hummingbirds on the feeders. I could watch them all day. A young South African guy, unfortunately I don’t know his name, who was working at the lodge as a volunteer and was very knowledgeable regarding the bird and animal life, asked if I would like to hand feed the hummingbirds.

Two gorgeous birds.

What a beautiful experience. There are so many different species. My favourite being the long-tailed sylph, which has a gorgeous turquoise tail. Ecuador holds the world record for the highest number of hummingbird species. Over 132.

Richard has been a great traveller, back packing, originally, but has bought himself a camper van which he wanted to show us. He had been admiring our set up and likes Landrovers for their sturdiness and ability to cope with most terrains. He has purchased a Hilux with a cabin on the back from a couple of overlanders. It is luxury compared to Poki. Richard intends to set off on a trip south shortly.

Before we left Richard wanted to make a video with us. To use promotionally to encourage more visitors. It’s lovely to stay at such a warm, welcoming, friendly lodge. Richard encourages overlanders. If they eat in the restaurant, or pay for a guide on one of the hikes, it adds value. Especially, in quieter times. Not all lodges are so accommodating to campers, though.

Several U.K. tour operators send clients here. South America specialists Journey Latin America and Llama Travel being two.

It was almost midday before we said our final farewells. Driving back down to the main road, we passed a large, strung out, group of cyclists, some obviously finding the climb very taxing. It’s amazing that out here on the tracks in the cloud forests, there are cycling enthusiasts. 

Complimenting our water supply.

We headed for Mindo. Not paying attention, we missed the turning. I had been looking for accommodation for the night for us. Surprisingly, I could find no information whatsoever on iOverlander. Surprising because Mindo has become quite a tourist spot. 

Turning around we retraced our steps to the missed turning. Stopping a fruit selling truck to buy a pineapple and a papaya. Although, the owner wanted to sell me half the truck’s load of fruit and veg. As we drove into Mindo it started to rain. At first just a drop, but it then became quite heavy.

Mindo

The town was busy. Lots of shops, cafes, restaurants and people selling various tours and activities. Andy, at CODA Vista, had warned us Mindo would be busy at the weekend. I had seen a possible hotel on booking.com but not booked it. Now it’s sold out. I found another and we made our way there. En route we passed a zipline taking you up and through the forest vegetation. 

River Songs hotel, where we are now located is outside the town, so nice and quiet. The cabins I had seen online were sold out, but there were some hotel rooms still available. I don’t like to book hotels in advance as we like to check out the parking first. There were 3 rooms available, all very similar. We took one and are now quite comfortable. 

It has continued to rain on and off so we are pleased we did not camp. The owner of this hotel is a Syrian.  When the troubles in Syria were brewing, his father gave him $5000 and told him to leave the country. He has now been here 8 years. We are to have a  Syrian breakfast tomorrow, he tells us, in good English. Looking forward to it.

Tomorrow we will go back to CODA Vista and Quito.

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