After lunch and a brief siesta we set off upstream to visit the village of

Ahuano.

The Quichua are subsistence farmers. They plant enough product such as cacao for themselves and if there is some left over they sell it to middlemen and get a small return. A large tree with breadfruit caught our eye.

We had the opportunity to visit a home . The kitchen would not make any cabinet makers rich but the people were most hospitable. We were invited to watch grandma make chicha and we all sampled it.

Next we were taken out to see the traditional hunting tool of the Quichua -- the blowgun. After the fundimentals as to how it worked we were eager to see someone make it work. Then it would be our turn to try.

Soon it was time to start for La Casa del Suizo. This time we would hike the trail. It wasn't long but as usual it was eventful. Nature provided a start.

We saw quite a variety of homes but they all seemed to have one thing in common.

Continuing down the path our guide picked up a palm shoot. What was coming next, we wondered.

We were now approaching the village centre and soon came to the home of the Artesanias - Ceramica De La Amazonia. where the traditional method of making pottery is being revived. Next door we found the inevitable tourist shop . Hey, if you've gone to town you gotta shop.

Our final stop for the day was La Casa del Suizo for a toast - What a great way to see the world.

Index — Ecuador & the Galapagos