Misahualli

A half hour from Tena, you find the small, sleepy village of Misahualli.  I found it to be the most beautiful town in the region.  Like Tena, there are nearby jungle lodges, some on the river.  There's a soft sand beach along the shore.

We had landed in Tena during Carnivale.  Tons of Ecuadorian families descended into the region to celebrate & enjoy the jungle.  A fair had set up in Tena with rides, sweets, & bright lights.  Children and teenagers had begun the Carnivale practices of spraying one another with shaving cream, spraying water guns, splashing water, & throwing water into open bus windows.  We saw people in a dump truck, camped out, dousing those passing by!

Sergio, the guide who took us hiking into El Gran Canon, told us there were also fun celebrations in Misahualli & that we would be guaranteed to see monkeys if we visit!  I love seeing animals in their natural habitat.  The following morning Sergio met us with his 9-year-old son Rey, his 6-year-old daughter Bindi, and his 2-year-old son, Sergio.

 As soon as we walked into the jungle lining the river we saw masses of monkeys overhead.

 A mother & baby capuchin crossed our path.

 On the river banks I taught Rey & Bindi some yoga.  Bindi held my hand as we wandered through the maze of vendors, shaving cream, sprayed water & into the jungle.

From Misahualli we boarded a bus back to Tena.  We found a direct bus to Banos and began to once more ascent the Andes.