Mindo Mindo Mindo!

Mindo:

• 1.300 meters above sea level

• over 400 species of birds

• 170 types (types!) of orchids

• Home away from home for bird watchers, adrenaline junkies, butterfly spectators, and frog devotees alike.

We took advantage of all of these wonders that Mindo has to offer and more! Our hostel was full of birds of every shape and color. The picaflores (humming birds) especially were out in full force! We visited a butterfly garden where literally thousands of butterflies flitted around us in shades of blue, green, red, yellow, brown, white and orange. My personal favorites were the ones had wings that looked like either an owl's eye or a snakes head, depending on your angle (pictured on the left). We also got our adrenaline fix on thirteen (13!) consecutive zip lines. Profesora Clark, as always a good sport, joined us! (she is also pictured on the left). On the trail, we were lucky enough to spot a yellow breasted tucan, who thought we looked hot in our strange helmets and harnesses. At night we went to a frog concert where some local nature enthusiasts taught us about the local fauna on dark trails filled with toads, fireflies, beetles, and vibrant frogs. The air in Mindo is clear and filled with frog chirps. As a group, we also bonded over games of charades (word to the wise, acting out "The Duchess" is no easy feat).

Mindo! Mindo! Mindo!