When a Friend Leaves...

This is Linda. I first met this lady about a year ago, shortly after I arrived in Baños. She is a remarkable lady who has traveled a good portion of the world, but decided 10 years ago to put down roots, of a sort, here in Ecuador.


Photo by J. Walker

A few years ago she bought 180 acres across the Pastaza River from Margarita Ville and built her own little hermitage. I have visited her palace in the woods several times and in the next weeks, I will try to do a little picture story of her adventure. She has become our most frequent visitor, since she usually stops for a night or two on her frequent trips to the big city, and the cabin she stays in is referred by all here at Margarita Ville as "Linda's Cabin". I guess we need a plaque.

Today, she is on her way back to North America to spend some time with her children, but we expect to see her back sometime in July for another six months. She has added a little baggage that she did not have before however. A few months ago she bought a German Shepard pup. He is well behaved and she had no problem taking him with her on the bus. Now, however he has grown where the conductor is insisting that he be put on top of the bus or in the baggage compartment. So, for this last Linda is using her large backpack to get him inside.


Photo by J. Walker

The next part is a bit tricky. The dog is quite content to sit in the pack with his head out but goes a little crazy when you push his head in and closed the top. Once on the bus we doubt that they will stop and make him ride on top.

Where we are situated, the bus is in front Margarita Ville about one minute after you see it coming down the the hill. Need to keep a sharp eye on the approach.


Photo by J. Walker

The bus is coming and I have only a few seconds to push his head down and snap the cover shut. Linda was moving as I fumbled with the snap. I am not sure if I did the job or not.


Photo by J. Walker

If the five month German Shepard keeps his head down he has a seat inside. If not, maybe they both will have to ride on top.

Photo by J. Walker

Goodbye Linda. We look forward to your return in July.

Up coming events at Margarita Ville.

In August of this year we will be hosting a digital photography workshop for anyone who is interested in learning more about nature photography. We have the scenery suitable for the beginner to the most advanced. The class will be limited to six participants and will include round-trip transportation from Quito to Margarita Ville, seven nights lodging with breakfast, lunch and dinner each day. Cost on a share bases will be $250 USD per person. All you need to do is get yourself to Quito, simple as that. For more information contact us by E-mail.

Visitor from D.C,

In April we had a visitor from the United States, Washington D.C. area who spent almost two weeks in Baños and made her way out to Margarita Ville.

Before arriving, Ellen had asked what special attire was recommended, when hiking around the area. My reply was that the only unique item was a pair of Ecuadorian rubber boots that are available locally for $5.00. The boots are well made and the tread gives you a secure footing while tramping around on some of the rain soaked trails. They may not be the most stylish footwear you have ever owned but I guarantee it is the best $5.00 you will ever spend…on footwear that is. Ellen got some good use of her boots while here and she kindly donated them to Margarita Ville when she left.

Thank you Ellen for your visit and hope to see you on your next visit…you are a wonderful lady.


Photo by J. Walker

Across the Highway from Margarita Ville

In a small box canyon up the Margajita River, about a 10 minute hike from Margarita Ville is one of the loveliest falls I have ever seen. It drops aproximately 35 feet into a clear pool. Very few people visit the area even though it is very close to the highway.

Photo by J. Walker


Photo by J. Walker>

At the base of the falls the water runs into a small pool. On a warm day it could be a fine bathing pool.

Photo by J. Walker

Life at Margarita Ville

When you visit, I hope you will have the sense of visiting a place where you feel you have been before.

A few days ago, while taking a stroll down to the Pastaza with our resident photographer and jack-of-all-trades, Jessie Walker we stumbled across several natural wonders, the likes of which never cease to amaze me.

Below, in an unnamed creek that feeds another unnamed creek that feeds into the Margajita and ends up in the Pastaza we found this mass of green that appears just ready to bloom. What it is?....I have no idea...but who needs a name.


Photo by J. Walker

This rubbery looking fungus was growing on a culvert over the same creek and have been told by one self proclaimed expert that it is good o eat. I am waiting for a second opinion.


Photo by J. Walker

High in a tree in an orchard of guyava trees this fan shaped parasite looks almost like turkey feathers, an Indian headdress.... or maybe even a giant sunflower.


Photo by J. Walker

Along the road to the Pastaza a waterlogged piece of driftwood hosts another fungus family that adds more color and beauty to the landscape.


Photo by J. Walker

Banana Plantation at Margarita Ville

Photo by J. Walker

Although bananas are big business in Ecuador, here in the Pastaza Valley at 1,200 meters in elevation they are not what you would call a cash crop. Here on the property we have about 50 plants which provide more fruit than we could ever eat.

Learning about the care of these prolific plants has been challenging. Knowing when to cut the bunches has been trial and error and I hope by next year I will know a little of what I am doing. If, among the readers of this blog are any banana growers, I would really appreciate any information you are willing to give.

I have learned that in order to have healthy plants you need to separate the shoots. I read where you should to this when they are around one meter high. We have cleared an area where we intend to use for our small plantation. How far apart, I am not sure, but will start with about six feet.

At the present time we have many bunches hanging and are just waiting for the right time to cut them down, which is still hit and miss. I have been told that you should cut the bunch when the sharp edges have become rounded. This is sometimes hard to judge when the bunch is almost 20 feet above the ground, so as a result I have cut several bunches too early and they never did ripen.



Photo by J. Walker

The appearance of the bloom happens overnight it seems. One day there is nothing and the next you have this giant pod. A few days later, the flower starts to open and the individual hands appear one by one. From what I have heard, from this point it takes about four months for the bananas to mature.


Photo by J. Walker

At this point you may now have more information about bananas then you care to know, however I have found it a fascinating process.