Mindo Possibilities!

Hello all! Well, as we approach the zero hour, there have been some minor snags on the Ecuador-side, specifically in Mindo. The guide we used on our previous trip, Luis Narváez, turned out to be booked for the days we're going to be there, but he had another guide he wanted to recommend to me, if I would call him back around 7:00 that evening. And that was the last I've been able to speak with Luis. So as of right now, we have officially not booked a guide for Mindo.

But as I told the students in class on Tuesday, that doesn't necessarily mean too much. Mindo is very small, and many attractions are within walking distance. Including this one:

Mindo Canopy Tours!

This was recommended to me the last time we were there. On an afternoon when the students were relaxing, I took a walk to see if I could scope out other good hotels. I found a fantastic one right in town, but unfortunately it only takes about 13 people. But I met the owner, an American woman who was married to an Ecuadorian and who had recently opened the place. (Her place is called Caskaffesu, and it's one of the most professionally-run in town.) I told her about a bit of a misadventure we'd had on a tubing expedition, and that I hadn't felt safe, and so was not eager to try the ziplines through the canopy. But she told me that the folks who run the zip lines are not at all like the tubing folks: It was exactly the reverse. The tubing is unsafe, and the canopy tour is safe. They're an international company with outlets in Costa Rica and other countries, with years of experience, quality people, and quality materials. I told her I would consider it for the next tour, but with all the hiking and birdwatching that seems a lot more authentic and overall-educational, it didn't seem like we would have time. (Much to Ms. Gernat's dismay.)

And now that I'm at home researching things that can be done in Mindo within walking distance of town, this same adventure tour company came up. 2.5 kilometers from the center of town, $15 per person, 1.5 miles of zip lines.

My question to you parents would be: Is there any objection? Their reviews online have been stellar, and the talk on the ground in Mindo was that a lot of people were jealous of them for their professionalism and reputation. But, because it does involve helmets, I did not want to simply throw it out once we're on the ground. Please send me an email if you have any doubts or concerns!

Back to trip prep - have a great "snow" day!