Manna Retreat!

This past weekend all our whole group headed to SierrAzul, an extensively protected chunk Cloud Forest.  It's located about 45 minutes from Baeza in a unique location between the sierra and the rain forest and is home to the spotted bear, tapir, and the puma.  We began our journey by leaving the house at 6:30a.m., catching a bus to Baeza, hopping on a camioneta and then hiking about a mile to the secluded lodge (we were literally the only guests there). 

In the back of the camioneta (at 60m.p.h.) 

The hut dining room where we ate our meals

Mid-phase 10 (wonder woman cape totally necessary) 

The girls spent Friday afternoon doing a short hike with Fernando and his adorable German Shepard, while the boys refused to awaken from their naps.  Little did we know this was only 1/8th of the hike we would embark on the next morning...  All of us headed out at 9:30 the next morning after a breakfast of mini hot dogs (a little weird, but I'm not going to complain).  We packed our bags full with cho-chos (little soy beans.. think cream colored edimame), cereal, bread, galapagitos (cookies), crackers and more as we knew we wouldn't return back to the lodge until close to sun down.  Most of the 14 kilometer hike consisted of us being knee deep in mud and/or horse poop, so almost all of us wore knee high boots (except two big-footed boys who couldn't fit and braved the trail in sneakers). 

Everyone in the river

Haley taking a breather on the trail

The hike was great, giving us time to talk to each other, learn about wildlife in the area and take in the beautiful scenery.   We also crossed and walked along a creek/small river for most of the trip, giving me an opportunity to collect a ton of rocks (currently on my windowsill) and drink straight from the crystal clear water.  

I couldn't have asked for a better first retiro and I'm so glad we get to have 3 more throughout the next year! 

- Jackie