RSVP 2010

Our very wet and cold arrival to the Quilotoa Crater Lake.

A better day for our hike to the Black Sheep Inn in Chugchilan.
Quilotoa Crater Lake

Lounging at the Black Sheep Inn

Finally, responsible tourism. No wonder it was also the most we have paid for accommodations in eight months. The Black Sheep Inn, owned by Americans Andy and Michelle, is in Chugchilan. That means it is in the middle of nowhere. We hiked four hours to get there and five hours to get out.

Andy and Michelle have been in Chugchilan for fifteen years developing a true ecolodge supporting sustainability through permaculture design. They have cabanas made of adobe and recycled materials, fully composting toilets for all guests, a net zero waste production, community education projects and countless other measures supporting their vision of environmentally sound tourism.

Of course, being at such an innovative place we met one of the most progressive and chill groups of people in all our travels - Canadian Annie and her Venezuelan husband Rodney traveling for a month in Ecuador with there super cute nine month old Lucia, Australian park ranger and cartographer Joel whose humbling sweetness soothed us all, and Americans Natasha and Jesse who live in a converted school bus and canvas tent on a sustainable commune in Southern California.

We lounged on the vast grounds for two days enjoying captivating and intellectual company. We often meet intriguing people but this group felt perfect for our surroundings. In a few years we hope to invite you to a gathering of the minds at our own lodge tucked deep in the forest of Colombia so brush up on your reading.

Check out our pics of the Black Sheep and our hike on the Quilotoa Loop:
http://juicycat.smugmug.com/gallery/4925203_jvgDj#294266219_28stK