
Photo courtesy of Yachana Lodge – Napo Province – Ecuador
“Yachana?”
With painting supplies, boots and flashlight already tucked into my bag, I’ll be Yachana bound soon!
“Boots? Raincoat? Flashlight?”
Yes, because I am a seasoned ‘Girl Scout’ and know to be prepared, especially if I’m returning to the gateway to the Amazon. This time I’ll be even closer than I was on last month’s trip to Cosanga!

I’ll be taking trusted travel ‘needs’ AND a new pad of Canson Watercolor Paper AND very-special brushes! Thanks Pachamamas!
You must be wonderning, “What is Yachana; where is Yachana?”
Don’t worry for even one second that I will be treading in uncharted or unsafe territories!
From It’s A Green World, “…Yachana Lodge is an award winning, Amazon ecotourism destination that inspires thousands of international and Ecuadorian visitors each year.
Yachana is a winner in the Ashoka and National Geographic Geotourism Challenge! Out of 323 entries from 83 countries, Yachana was selected amongst the three winners as the best example of geotourism. “
Like a good traveler, I checked the Trip Advisor Reviews and found that Yachana is #1 of 53 specialty lodges in the Napo Province. Giddye-up!
Since I’ll be with “Save the Damned Planet” friends Stephen Hopkins and Xiomara Izurieta, most likely we’ll be squeezing the most from each day and even poking around for frogs after the sun sets over Rio Napo!

Last month in Mindo

A tireless educator and leader for protecting Ecuador’s natural resources, Xiomara Izurieta recenty checked Rio Mindo’s vital signs. I suspect she will do the same in Yachana’s Napo River area!

March 2016 – Xiomara scouted for signs of the elusive and unique Rio Cinto otter.
This will be a quick trip, as next weekend I’ll be on the Pacific side for Las-Artes-por-Manabi- and the anniversary of the April 16 earthquake.
Most every day I realize how blessed I am, and April has showered me with a treasure chest of cultural-immersion blessings for the entire month.
Until the next smoke signal,
Lisa
More about Yachana:
Safe and enjoyable travels. Can’t wait to read about it.
janet
Thank you Janet! We’re looking forward to the trip..
Wow, sounds like a great trip! Take care, Lisa!
Yes, it is going to be a great trip. We’ll be there for five days..
Enjoy, Lisa 💖
Wow! What a great opportunity! You do get around! Have fun!!!
We are lucky here in Ecuador to have a very good network of buses… It’s very easy to hop on a bus in Mindo and be in Quito in less that two hours – for 3 dollars… It’s nice being in the cloud forest but close to the city as well.
Enjoy! And, wow! Those tiny frogs!
thank you! yes, the frogs are tiny and cute!
sounds so exciting, when you’re down our way and have some extra time, please stop by..our last visit was way too short. 🙂
thanks! i look forward to seeing the ‘las artes por manabi’ on saturday and then there will be misas on sunday or monday.. won’t know until i get there.
Sounds really fantastic Lisa.. take care, and enjoy your travels.. and I hope you come back with lots of new paintings and special delights xxx love and warm hugs xxx
Have a great time Lisa. It sounds magical.
Alison
Thank you! Yes, it will be a great trip!
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Safe journey Lisa, make sure there’s no holes in those wellington boots! 🙂
that made me laugh! i showed up this morning to say ‘bye’ to a tour group, and they commented on my boots! it’s the cloud forest, and if the sun is shining one hour, it could be raining the next.. and yes, when i walked back to the other end of town, it was raining… and still is raining quite hard!
Enjoy! 😀😀