Why Ecuador? This was a fair question from most of my family and friends when I shared the news of my planned adventure, my answer was often "why not Ecuador!!". To be honest there is a lot of reasons, one of the main ones being sentimental in the fact that I know an Ecuadorian family in Edmonton who I've grown very close to and am very fond of. When I decided South America I strongly considered Ecuador because of my Ecuadorian friends because I wanted to know more about their culture and heritage. My friends were very touched that I would use my vacation and travel all this distance to become so absorbed into an important part of their history. They have been my contacts and guides both before and during the trip which only grows our special bond and friendship. In fact they emailed saying they can't wait till I get back and they can hear all my stories, I don't think any other Canadian they know has travelled to Ecuador so they're very excited. Besides this bond I did do my research to ensure I genuinely had interest in the country and would have activities I wanted to partake in and knew before I even started my trip, there would be so much to do and see, I wouldn't even have the time to come close to completing it all, but I would do and see what I could.

Ecuador is the ninth largest country in South America making it about in the middle but more so considered a smaller country, in perspective Ecuador is just over a third the size of Alberta, so pretty small but it really does pack a huge gigantic punch! Ecuador is very unique because it offers volcanoes and snow capped mountains to fishing villages and white sand beaches to the amazon rainforest. Here in Mindo the fifth most popular tourist destination of Ecuador in the amazon rainforest highlands and for the past thirty years has celebrated and encouraged ecotourism. Last night I went on a night walk with a German Biologist who is living and studying in this area to see all kinds of night creatures such as frogs, toads, spider, and all kinds of interesting and poisonous insects. He was very knowledgeable and it had a unique thrilling element to walk through a pitch black jungle with only our flashlights not knowing what we could encounter. My guide also told me there is some 4000 orchid species in Ecuador, some are almost microscopic and actually bloom on the underside of tree leaves which he showed me last night, very unique. Comparing South American countries again , Brazil being the largest but Ecuador has approximately 500 more species to offer than Brazil so again more bang for your buck! Today I went to a hummingbird farm where I was extremely lucky to see an actual Toucan bird in the flesh! Other tourists I have spoken to went on guided bird watch trips and did not see a single Toucan so I felt pretty lucky today. Did you know there are 52 different hummingbird species in Ecuador? The masses of hummingbirds on the farm today was incredible, there was no effort involved to see the birds, they were blue, green, purple, red and all iridescent and zipping around everywhere, I just sat back and enjoyed. Now here I am ranting and raving about all the amazing and brilliant things you can see and do in Ecuador, but what could make it even better, just really put that cherry on top....how about chocolate!! If you know me, and know me well there are two things in life I don't turn down, and can with almost a guarantee be bribed with, cats, and chocolate HAHA! Ecuador literally has the best cocoa beans in the world and I was privileged to go on a chocolate tour this afternoon. They start by letting you last pure cocoa paste, then you take a spoon of the paste and they add white sugar, then next time coffee, chilli peppers, ginger syrup. Additionally I tasted a cocoa pancake syrup and cocoa BBQ sauce they make. It was a very interesting way to experience chocolate and it was delicious! They took me through the whole process from the fresh cocoa bean which I got to taste the fruity flesh to chewing on a raw and then roasted cocoa nib. I have always respected and appreciated a fine piece of chocolate but now I'm better educated and knowledgeable on where that sweet delicious treat starts. So if any of you decide to travel to Ecuador and someone asks you "why Ecuador?" You can say because I can see a Toucan bird, rare and unique orchids, then travel to a beach and enjoy a delicious chocolate bar :-), that should satisfy their curiosity!