We awoke early and had our tea and breakfast before heading out. It began as an hour flat hike along the river where the guide told us about the 7 different types of platanos or bananas, the different types of coffee plants, and the various avocado, papya, and mango trees. we stopped for a minute, looking at the agave plants, the ones that are used to make tequila in mexico. The cactus has many uses. You can strip the leaves and seperate the fine fibers and create and super durable thread. The plant is actually poisonous and was used to stun the fish in the river, making them easily netted. This practice is now illegal. We learned about over 3,000 types of local potatoes, old Inca practices, and modern alternatives to pharmacuetical remedies.
Day 2 was an arduous one. 28 km hike, up and through the inca jungle. We crossed countless bridges, passed a few villages, and saw tons of coffee, banana, cocain, other plantations. There were two captive monkeys on the trip, guennea pigs, and corn alcohol. We also got to see the processing of coffee raw beans before they are bought and roasted for retail.
8 hours later, we arived at the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. The beautiful jungle and rivers gave way to a jaw dropping series of hot springs. the mineral bath was so amazing after hiking all day. We took our time, staying close to two hours. Once we were good and pruned up, we walked to Santa Teresa where our hostel was. that night we were woken by torrential rains that pounded our tin roof...berk, without earplugs, didnt get much sleep :-)
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