Reserva Bellavista - Ecuador

 
That morning, a bit cold but clear - cloudy and rainy considering what had been the day before - we now heading north, whose paths to that time were more or less free ... The city seemed to yawn and slowly waking up to normal working day. That was precisely one of the reasons why we left early.
The morning wore when we passed the Equator Town and marvel remembering astronomical studies both Quitus as the Geodesic Mission, and how scientific legacy that has lasted until today. We stopped for a few moments on the lookout Pululahua volcano. Unusually clear, the volcano gave us a great view of the remains and surrounding crops.

BELLAVISTA - main house by Domo Bellavista cloud forest reserve Mindo Nambillo

We continue to the peaceful and neat Calacalí population, where we made another brief stop, after which we return to the main road. The hilly landscape with its colorful crops, gradually began to change through a dense forest and high; ads by dining and tourist stops were seen occasionally. One who realized the "spectacled bear" caught my attention: It was rare to see them crossing the road, let alone in the forest where he lives; not in vain as Bellavista reservations directly contribute to preserving and maintaining their habitat.
"Here begins the" bad road "are 12Km to reach the reserve ..."; It was a way of second order, irregular, somewhat "difficult" in a few sections (especially for those who like to go biking, so rocky and steep), which would take us to our destination. The forest stood before us, imposing, green, with a few clouds. We passed some cabins where recently installed an impressive cable car that allows viewing from pools of trout streams and fishing, to reach a peak; a view and spectacular route, I guess ...

We made our way, until finally we reached the entrance to the reserve of Bellavista (2200 m). Our guide was already waiting, binoculars in hand. The impressive central dome, and the incessant buzzing of curious and colorful hummingbirds welcomed us. Neatness and order are the predominant factor throughout the room, where the successful use of environmentally friendly materials and designs for the care of the environment is emphasized. After giving all necessary paths and plastic boots calzarnos indications, and "armed" very exciting, we went out to do a guided walk through one of the paths available to the Reserve; all these have been well marked and conditioned to respect the surrounding environment and providing tourists a refreshing and unique ride through the primary and secondary cloud forests; surprised, pleasantly, that in just 10 years (since that one area that became Reserve) forest that has regenerated, allowing many species of plants, birds and mammals re-inhabit the area.


At the start of the walk, we saw in this Book care about sorting organic waste from inorganic, where they are used to enrich the soil first, and second, suitably arranged, are referred to the Capital; later, a small workshop, where workers Reserve made ​​everything for the Lodge. The trail led us through intricate ups and downs in the forest, where towering trees "fighting" each other for you reach the sunlight; countless times we stopped, attentive to the whisper of the wind, the slightest movement of the leaves, to try to capture some of the many birds singing everywhere; we will have seen at least a dozen, including hummingbirds, sparrows and toucans, more plants and a dozen varieties of orchids and insects; even found hidden among the branches, a tiny bird's nest ... The orange "Dragon's Blood" leaves were everywhere, and the branches of the thicket forced us, as we went to pay reverence deserved gratitude and admiration to this natural wonder. The mist was, at times, a little more dense, we could almost touch it, while it ragged landscape, topped by the insistent chirping of birds. A slight shortness of breath showed in our ascent we were "slightly above" the average height at which the Lodge is located. Each trail has its level of difficulty and adventure, may be combined with hiking horseback riding (there are about 5 in the Reserve available to tourists), but prevails in all contact with nature and its wonders.



Satisfied the tour, we started back to the dome, it was "cut" by a restless hummingbird made ​​front and surrounded us while looking at us, attracted perhaps by the color of our clothes, then disappear rapidly, leaving absorbed.
On the way to the dome there are several containers of sugar water whose scent attracts hummingbirds, and these are constantly vying for a sip surrounding and between incessant buzzing and fluttering; you can see them from so close, there are no words to describe the grace of his movements, the vividness of colors and varieties, you can almost count how fast to eat the nectar; there are from the tiniest up of considerable size, with long forked tails that sometimes resemble a phoenix in miniature.

After leaving the boots on the respective winery, they called lunch, and began to return other groups of travelers who had also gone for a walk early, all excited of course and animatedly discussing what they saw. Great food, great, healthy (no red meat consumed, but white, trout, vegetables and fruit salads), with that special touch that always invites a relaxing nap while the fog came and went, announcing rain, not coming. After dinner Walter, owner and manager of the Reserve, who was kind enough to welcome reiterarnos came and listened, pleased, excited our story about what we had just seen. Is to be commended not only tourism but the preservation work carried out in Bellavista. All necessary facilities are given, the only requirement being love and commitment to nature, plus a convenient report of allergies and health problems (for the altitude change that can be experienced, or the degree of difficulty of the trail chosen) necessary to provide the care necessary to the smooth tour.

Later, our guide took us to see the facilities, starting with comfortable dome: They come with private bathroom and shared, all spotless, and its particularity its curious configuration that allows a wide view of the surroundings. Maintaining both ceilings and floors done regularly due, mainly, to the predominantly rainy weather, which ensures the proper state of the infrastructure.
With a capacity to accommodate more than 60 people, Bellavista has a Research and Interpretation Center, where groups of foreign students of Biology, Ecology, Ornithology and Quiropterología come regularly to perform investigative and monitoring work. There are also groups of volunteers who contribute to the construction of more infrastructure for the Reserve ...
The rain had become more intense at that time, but it did not let the excitement of another group of tourists, that while, went out into another path, accompanied by another guide.
It was time to begin our return to Quito; along the way recalled in peace I experienced, and how delighted I was to the whole environment of the care received, and the friendliness of who made brief that unforgettable visit, I hope, soon, a chance to share not only through this story, but also to all those who so desire.