NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2005

Dear friends of Ecuador,

With this first newsletter of 2005 - presenting itself in a new design - we would like to give you a brief understanding of a subject of immense importance for Ecuador: the Free Trade Agreement with the US and the inherent necessity of protecting the country's unique biodiversity.
Our series on Ecuador's export products will deal with the former number one-product cacao, and as subjects of tourism, we would like to give you a short introduction into the unique bird's world of Mindo and Nanagalito as well as into a new concept of tourism in the rainforest provinces.

As always, with lots of pleasure we will provide you with detailed background information about all of these subjects - please do not hesitate to contact us!

With best wishes for a sound and successful year 2005,

Yours, Andrea Almeida Villamil

TOP

TOP TOPIC

Protection of the Ecuadorian biodiversity within the Free Trade Agreement with the United States

Cacao crop has a long tradition in Ecuador. Already with the Mayas and the Aztecs, chocolate was known as "the aliment of the gods", and was highly valued in trade. During the whole 19th century, the cacao bean was the most important export product of the country. At that time, Ecuador produced 30% of the entire cacao trade worldwide. Still today, it is an important income source to the southern coastal provinces; but also to the Amazon province of Napo where the high-quality cacao "Nacional" is now exported and is highly estimated by premium dealers - e.g. in Italy is considered one of the best of the world. Is now a second period of cacao prosperity about to come?

There are a lot of evidences suggesting that idea, as the assistance provided by Italian food companies - like Slow Food or Eurochocolate - to the Quichua communities, so they can improve the crop and achieve more competitive prices. The cacao "Nacional" is sold in Europe as an elitist gourmet-product and gets prices up to 50 Euros per kilogram, whereas at the beginning of the production one kilogram costs only 0,58 Eurocents. If these inequalities are overcome and the transport chain improves, the Quichua families could benefit even more from the luxury cacao "Nacional" which is only cultivated in Ecuador.

FROM THE REGIONS

HIGHLANDS: Ecuador - a unique bird's paradise

According to the present count of bird species Ecuador ranks second with a total of 389 indexed species - a very good reason to present you the home of the majority of these bird species. The mountain cloud forest near Mindo and Nanegalito is a real paradise for ornithologists, but also for travelers without any experience in birds. This region is worth a visit by any means.

This unique forest is located only one to two hours from Quito, on the height of 2,200 meters. On one side you can see the impressive volcano Guagua Pichincha and on the other side you have a fantastic view on the volcano Cotacachi. Through the Tandayapa reserve you will reach, only after a few minutes, the marvelous reservation of Bellavista. Equipped with binoculars and a booklet explaining all the species, you can observe birds in abundance in the early morning hours.

Some kilometers to the North is situated Maquipucuna reserve, an experience to those persons who love to feel lively the nature. But if you are looking for nature AND some more comfort, then the private reserve Sachatamia is the option. For sure, never minding the option, you will enjoy an abundant vegetation, countless birds, many butterflies and a large variety of hiking trails - on which you will enjoy a unique variety of birds. Not for nothing Ecuador is regarded the country with the world's second largest variety of bird species.

TOP

COAST: The Ceibos - a magic and manifold tree

The inhabitants of the valley of Sancán, situated in the Jipijapa canton, in the South of the Manabí province, believe that they are living together with ghosts. When seeing the shapes of the gigantic trees - up to 20 meters high and 4 meters thick - this belief is not amazing. But the Ceibos tree does not terrify the residents - it is rather a mean for more than 6000 people of the North area of Jipijapa to earn their livelihoods. The reason is that the trees produce wool at their burgeons, which are situated at the top of the branches. The wools are gathered by men from August to November; at home they area cleaned by women and worked up to pillows, blankets and cushions. These products are known and favoured all over the country.

But these trees do not only serve for wool, they also have been the inspiration for the artist Yorqui Llacxaguanga. The only 20 years old man has grown up surrounded by these trees; and, a few years ago, began to give human features to these lonesome and mysterious creatures. With the Ceibos, Llacxaguanga found a possibility to express his concern and his feelings while filling it with life - a human tree which feels, suffers and loves.

Links:

Do you like to learn more about the tree, the region or the artist? We will be pleased to inform you; just write us an e-mail! Better of course is to see these special trees themselves in their natural environment. In the province Manabí we recommend the Hostería La Barquita as well as the Hostería Mandala at the edge of the national park Machalilla and the Cabañas Balandra in Manta.

TOP

RAINFOREST: Natives are developing a new concept of tourism

The Amazon region in Ecuador is one of the world's easiest accessible rainforest areas, therefore tourism is finding more and more its way into this fascinating region. Even if the discovery of nature is of interest, much importance is attached to the way of living and knowledge of the natives. Visits to the "comunidades" (village communities of the natives) take part of your itinerary, so that you can learn about the natives´ daily life and traditions. However, according to the natives, this special kind of tourism has to undergo a little change - in order to remain competitive and effective. Therefore, they worked out a strategic concept of development to pass into a tourism based on their traditional cultural heritage.

The initiative is shared by the provinces of Sucumbíos, Orellana and Napo and should make accessible the attractions of the region for a lasting form of tourism. To realize this new idea, both the support of private companies and of the government is required. The indigenous communities only own the necessary natural resources but not the economic ones. That is why the Interamerican Bank of Development supports the elaboration of the concept with 40,000 US Dollar. Remains to hope that the plans will be done very soon- as already happened in the province of Orellana with the reorganization and extension of the local indigenous community airport.

TOP

TRAVEL NOTES

Looking for GALÁPAGOS travel report

The Galápagos-Archipel continues being the most favourite destination of Ecuador. If you are booking a hotel stay and / or are discovering the islands during a comfortable cruise… Galápagos is definitely an unforgettable adventure!

As we know that many of our readers have already made this experience, and others, in turn, are very interested in such a journey, we as Ecuadorline would like to promote an exchange of experiences. So, make yourself comfortable on your couch during the holidays, reminisce about your last Galápagos travel and let us share your records. We would be glad to publish your travel report in one of the next newsletters. If you are still dreaming of Galápagos without being there, we will be pleased to receive your suggestions and questions in order to inform you more specifically about the tourism on Galápagos.

Links:

Until then we warmly recommend you to inform yourself on our homepage about our partner ships, the catamaran Nemo and the yachts Tip Top II and Tip Top III as well as about our partner hotels Casa de Marita and Lobo de Mar. Please send your travel reports and further e-mails to info@ecuadorline.com. Many thanks!

TOP

DID YOU KNOW...?

... that the Panama hat has its origin in Ecuador? Since the 17th century the hat is manufactured in the province of Manabí. It got its present-day's name from the workers at the Panama canal who very much appreciated the protection of this light but sturdy hat.

... that of the 42 volcanoes in Ecuador a quarter is still active? With its 5897 meters of height, the Cotopaxi is the world's highest active volcano.

... and that mango is not equal to mango? In the province of Guayas in the western part of the country, at the coast, nine different species of mango are cultivated in an acreage of 7700 hectares, thereof 6500 hectares are used only for fruits to be exported.

TOP