The best thing I have brought back from my life in The Bahamas is without a doubt the friendships I was able to make. Freeport was a hub for many different nations, and I truly cherish those connections. Some of them will hopefully be friendships for a lifetime, no matter how many miles separate us and no matter how little we see each other.
When friends of mine asked me a year ago to join them on a horseback riding trip to Ecuador I was slightly hesitant – I had not been on horseback in 10 years … but I decided all the pain would be worth it nonetheless. And so I took off on November 15th for a truly epic trip … a trail ride among the Avenue of Volcanoes, south of Quito, Ecuador, with friends of mine from The Bahamas, Canada, Jamaica and The US.
I headed to Quito two days in advance to meet up with my friend Nicki, and then we headed south to Aloag to the fantastic Hacienda La Alegria, where we were being hosted by Gabriel and Patti, to meet up with the rest of our group.
It was a true adventure! The horses we rode, the hills we climbed, the views we enjoyed, the people we met. And Hacienda La Alegria took way too well care of us – the food was delicious, with desserts for lunches and dinners. The only reason I was still able to fit in my pants after the ten days were the long hours in the saddle.
We started easy with two days riding around the hacienda, with 3-5 hours on horseback per day. The next couple days thereafter we went off on our first overnight trip. We headed to Bomboli, a place in the cloud forest, with no electricity. It is surrounded by lush planting, many small orchids and my favs – tree ferns! I was really excited to see them in nature; they are magical plants indeed. After spending one night back at the hacienda we took off on our four day trip to the volcano Quilotoa. Four days, about 23 hours and 75 miles in the saddle, up and down the incredible mountain range of the Avenue of the Volcanoes – an adventure indeed! But I think it is safe to say none of us was disappointed about our last day at the hacienda not riding. We went on a little shopping spree in the morning and for a late lunch at one of the oldest and most stunning hacienda in Ecuador. And then it was already time to say goodbye – I think it might not have been the last horseback trip. I might wish for a more flatter terrain the next time for a change, thou.
Ecuador, 15-28 November 2022 (dorisaugustin.com)
