The Cloud Forest of Mindo

What is a cloud forest you ask? I had also never heard of it. It sounds lovely and it seems all the folks at the hostel had been to Mindo and the cloud forest. So we too set off to explore the cloud forest. After we got here, it wasn't terribly evident what a cloud forest was or if we were in it or looking at it. We saw clouds up in the trees on the mountain side. So, I looked it up and Wikipedia describe a cloud forest as such: "A cloud forest, also called a fog forest, is a generally tropical or subtropical evergreen montane moist forest characterized by a persistent, frequent or seasonal low-level cloud cover, usually at the canopy level. Cloud forests often exhibit an abundance of mosses covering the ground and vegetation, in which case they are also referred to as mossy forests. Mossy forests usually develop on the saddles of mountains, where moisture introduced by settling clouds is more effectively retained.[1]"

We took the bus from Quito ($2.50 each) and arrived to our hostel around mid day. Our Hostel is called La Roulotte and is just outside of town. The rooms are actually small gypsy vans on wheels. Each cabin has two double beds (bunk style) a sitting area and it's own bathroom. They are really sweet.

We spent the afternoon exploring the town and watching some hummingbirds in a garden. After a nice dinner we headed back to our hostel for some birthday cake and wine. The next day we set out to see the five waterfalls.

It went like this: 6 kilometers walking uphill to the cable car to cross the valley. 560 meter cable car ride over the top of the trees with the river rushing below. 3 kilometers walking on a narrow trail down into the valley to see the five waterfalls, going up and down and up and down. Then back up to the cable car and across the valley. Then the 6 kilometers back to the hostel but of course, this time, downhill. We got back a little sweaty and tired. We have both come down with a cold and so spent the rest of the day snuggled in the blankets, reading and listening to the rain.

 

 

There is an abundance of forest life and birds here. I think this is a wild Begonia? Diane and Antje...do you agree.

Today we will visit a chocolate factory before getting on a bus back to Quito and then off to the Amazon for five days. I somehow doubt we will have wifi in the Amazon so it may be a week or so before the next posting.

 

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