Saying Good-bye to the Forest.

Thursday morning saw the early departure from base that had been home to some of the volunteers for 10 whole weeks. What might have seemed like a long old haul at the start of the GVI Expedition, ended up flying by. The grey drizzly morning reflected the melancholy of the group's mood as the canoes were loaded up for a final time and the group headed upstream for 40 minutes to La Comuna Los Rios.

Thursday is market day in Los Rios and it was heaving, full of locals from the surrounding communities. It made the first hour of the bus journey somewhat squashed, as everybody climbed aboard to return to their homes after a morning's shopping and gossip at the market. After three hours down the gravel road, the group arrived in Tena and checked into their hostal. They had an afternoon to catch up on their communications before one final meal together. The restaurant had become a favourite for the group; lots on the menu to choose from and tonight there were two sloths in the restaurant to give a reminder of what had been left behind in the Yachana Reserve. Stories were recounted and memories re-lived for one last time together. Talk of a reunion was already afoot. But for now the volunteers say good-bye to each other as they head off on their seperate roads. Some team up for travels further afield in Ecuador and others return to Quito - the beignning of their long journey home.

Saying Good-bye to the Forest.