THE MUNGERS VISIT

Friends from our church in Tucson came to visit. Bob, Shannon,Ian,McKenna, and Bobs ex wife Stacy (Mom of Ian).She kidded Bob when he requested her permission to bring Ian. She responded "Of course as long as I can come." so come she did.  They were with us for three weeks and these weeks were so very special.
We rented a 17 passenger van and travelled for 10 days around Ecuador. Shannon did a great job of researching places to visit and places to stay. She determined ahead of time where they would like to visit and what they wanted to do, along with where to stay. I knew a great driver, Franklin, who owned his own van. He offered us a 10 day price, so off we all went. There was plenty of room for all of us to be comfortable in the van with all our luggage.
We departed Cuenca on Sunday, Jan 24, heading for Ingapirca, the only Inca Ruins in Ecuador.

What a motley crew BUT we were having a great time together

It is always so interesting to visit ancient ruins to learn how people lived and thrived so many years ago.

We spent several hours touring, before we had to depart for our next adventure, The Nariz de Diablo 

the nose of the Devil train. A  VERY  windy rail line through a very narrow and beautiful gorge The ride is spectacular. 

The train travels thru the narrow canyon by way of several switch backs along the face of the mountain 

What a great trip 

At the beginning of our trip I made several rules

Rule #1 We MUST have fun

Rule #2 Refer to rule #1

----and fun was had by ALL---

LOTS OF FUN

After completing the wonderful train ride, we spent the night in Chunchi, in a very nice , but noisy hotel. The breakfast was great however.

Our next stop for 2 nights was Banos. The Mungers were very anxious to ride jeeps and visit all the waterfalls 

So off they went

Also riding a cable car over the falls

 The falls are spectacular

---and zip lining on the longest zip line in Ecuador.

The next day we headed to Tena, stopping enroute to visit an animal rescue center in Puyo. Here they care for injured and orphaned monkeys and other animals including snakes in an attempt to release them back into the jungle.  

All the animals are well cared for in as natural environment  as possible

Shannon was surprised by, but enjoyed being nuzzled by the resident coatimundi



We then continued on to Tena and our adventure into the jungle. Shannon had secured a house large enough for all of us which included a full kitchen located right in the jungle as part of
Huasquila Jungle Lodge.

Our you sure you are on the right road?

Should we turn around and check?

Oh--- we are there!!!

Right in the jungle

---and what a wonderful place and to be here for 4 nights
HEAVEN

We then returned to Cuenca
And visited an Ecuadorian hat factory

EVERYONE

TRIED

ON

A HAT

IN FACT SEVERAL OF THEM

The final selection
Such a handsome family
Later that week Cuenca celebrated their version of Mardi Gras

During the day everyone arms themselves with some sort of water squirting apparatus or shaving cream spray. You never know where it will come from or when. It may happen from a passing car, or a window up above or a group coming from behind, but it will happen 

The church celebrated in the country, at one of the pastors homes. We were bused there and participated in all the fun activities including---  

getting thoroughly soaked==

or sprayed

there was lots of food to feast on

Bob and Ian participated in all the games

 water balloon toss

tug of war

volleyball

It was a very special day celebrated with all our new Ecuadorian friends.

Rule #1 prevailed the whole time the Mungers where visiting   

Sharyl and I will miss them