A New Year, A New Expedition

The first GVI Amazon Expedition for 2009 began as always in Quito. The staff met 18 new EMs and boarded a bus where they were introduced to some of Ecuador’s amazing and diverse scenery, whilst winding their way down through the cloudforest from the highlands of Quito to the lowlands of a small, bustling town called Tena. One last night of electricity, shop, restaurants and other every day luxuries before heading into base.
The second leg of the journey wound its way through lush, green landscapes with the occasional small community dotted here and there. The bus stopped randomly where some local children were selling the fruit of the season – jungle grapes. Not quite like any other grape they had seen before, but at $0.50 for a huge bunch of sweet ripe grapes, all of the passengers on the bus, EMs and locals alike were able to enjoy them as they were passed up and down the aisle.
Reaching the River Napo, a 30 minute canoe ride downstream brought the group to the port of the Yachana Reserve and their arrival to the rainforest was greeted by rain. EMs had to climb up the steps, through the rain and foliage from the river’s edge to the GVI base camp and the sun came out to welcome them to their home for the next few weeks.

A New Year, A New Expedition