Blog 16 - Day Two of the Project

The guys chosen sleeping arrangements

Last night we had another awful night’s sleep on a concrete floor. If that wasn’t enough, there was the frustrating sound of cockerels crying out as early as 5am; they seemed to be mocking us as we tossed and turned while trying our best to sleep (Ed. What he’s not telling you is that he went to bed at 8 pm and slept the whole way through until 5 am when the cockerel started, that’s a full 9 hours). The night before, the heat in the room was immense, which made it seem like we were sleeping in a sauna as we woke up in a pool of our own sweat.  (Ed. again what he is not telling you is that they have pitched their tents in the room and are sleeping with them fastened up, no air, no oxygen, lots of heat!  The staff suggested they sleep outside but this fell on deaf ears.)

Pre breakfast jobs/tasks

We decided that we would get up earlier to start our project work an hour and a half before breakfast. This was actually rather easy as the majority of us were up in the early hours of the morning due to the challenging conditions faced while trying to sleep (Ed. early hours like 7.00am hahaha). Our kind hosts once again treated us to a marvellous breakfast and this set the challengers and the staff up well for a long hard day of work, which turned out to be rather rewarding.

The concrete being prepared for the new gate posts

Paddy showing the locals how its done...not sure what colour those shorts are supposed to be though lol 

The never ending 'fence painting'

The tasks for the day were discussed and decided over breakfast. For some this was good news but not for others who had the task of axing bamboo for hours; this proved to take both physical strength and a level of skill. (Ed. it was frightening to watch! ;-)) The locals found it rather funny watching challengers attempt to split the wood, which they seemed to achieve effortlessly. It took the boys a long time to get the hang of it but eventually they got there.

The boys that were working on the fence had some encouraging results as they showed that a combination of hard work and determination allowed us to finish nailing the fence before lunch. This morale booster encouraged the boys to work hard until the finishing time of 4pm, which was also fuelled by the enjoyable lunch the hosts provided for us. Certain individuals proved that they had an artistic side in their arson, as they painted the school crest along with our names and the World Challenge logo on the side of the school wall. This was great to achieve as we have left our hosts with some artwork, along with the set task of constructing and painting the fence. Once these two tasks were completed the boys helped the locals make concrete. This was an educational experience which I’m glad I was able to take part in. Other challengers had the opportunity to pick up the paint brushes and decorate the fence in the Ecuador colours; some proved to be better at than others.

Our new friends, William, his wife and Pastor's wife

Overall, the boys and the staff put in a great effort, which has left us in the position of only having to make the final adjustments tomorrow morning. I think the boys have enjoyed the project experience thus far, whether it be by playing with the local kids, seeing our handy work come to life or enjoying some traditional Ecuadorian food which our hosts have kindly prepared for us. We look forward to what is in store for us next.  (Ed. Chill timeJ)

Josh Fenton                                                                                                                                        

Blog no. 15 -The Project Begins

After a terrible night’s sleep for most Challengers and staff, due to a noisy rooster, a donkey that seemed to think it was a siren, random birds and the various sleep-talkers having incoherent conversations with one another, we received another enjoyable meal from our host, Pastor, and the various wives from the community.

Following breakfast we started work on the project where we were once again struck by the language barrier. The locals were telling us how they wanted the fence to be built, and from the shaking of heads followed by many Spanish words it was apparent that we weren’t doing it the way they wanted. After this sketchy start everyone seemed to find a stage of production that they felt comfortable with and after another large meal that was enjoyed by all the fence was flying up and we were well ahead of our first day’s target; and so by the end we were all both satisfied and surprised with our progress.

After a tough day of manual labour we celebrated with a football match with a few locals, but as time went on the mixture of the heat, sweat and tired limbs took its toll and each team depleted rapidly until only the locals were left standing on the pitch.

As a result of today’s progress everyone is looking forward to tomorrow’s work and we will hopefully have learnt from the mistake of wearing too little sun cream (Ed.again!) in the Ecuadorian sun.

  Aled George

Blog Number 14 – Project Preparation in Puerto Lopez

We awoke well rested in our new Hostel Maxima after an extremely tiring day of travelling from the scenic ‘cloud’ forest to the lively town of Puerto Lopez on the Pacific coast. After a hearty breakfast, which was collected from the local markets, the group split up for the organisation of different tasks.

Firstly was the booking of the much anticipated whale watching which the group will enjoy later on next week. Along with this was the hugely important task of collecting building materials needed for the project work at the local school. The group worked alongside Pastor, our project host, and were successful in their efforts. Finally, accommodation was booked for the final days of the trip and the accommodation managers exceeded themselves by finding us a luxurious hotel in which the group can fully relax in on the days of rest and relaxation.

In reward for the groups efficient efforts, we were treated to an afternoon of souvenir shopping, beach walking and best of all, we joined with locals to watch the World Cup semi-final of Holland vs Argentina. An electric atmosphere of passionate South Americans,  combined with our own Northern Irish banter resulted in a scene like no other.

After the match, the group made the short journey to the outskirts of Puerto Lopez to the school at which the project begins. We met with some of the school kids who immediately came across as extremely welcoming and even helped us unload our bags before some more football was played. After a delicious meal very kindly made by Pastor’s wife and family, the group retreated to their tents in the school class room, for an early night before our first day of building.

Feels like we’re on the road to home.

Andrew Mallon

Blog No. 13 - The Road to Nowhere...ok to Puerto Lopez!

Ed.  Not really worth one of the guys writing a blog on today's activities as we sat on a bus for nearly 9 hours travelling to our project destination - Puerto Lopez.

We thought we were never going to get here...but we did eventually make it.  All is well in camp but some of the guys have learnt the lesson about not wearing shorts and flip-flops in the jungle...itchy!!!

We may have problems sending the blog after this one,  the school we are doing the project with does not have internet...l will try and make trips into town (20 mins away) when I can...Hopefully you are all (parents) not missing your son too much and hopefully you will be more appreciated when they return...for at least one week!

Ciao for now People

Cliff (AKA Ed.)

Blog no. 12 - From waterfalls to sweet sugar cane drinks

Gabriel and some of his lovely family

Our second day in the moist and atmospheric jungle started with another fantastic breakfast produced by Gabriel, his wife and army of children (Ed. all six of them, I’m guessing the nights are long out here in the jungle). We set off deeper into the jungle in an “interesting” Ecuadorian style bus to where we were going to be trekking.  

After 30 minutes of sticky and sweaty walking we eventually reached a beautiful and scenic waterfall that looked like it was straight off the back of a postcard. After the area was thoroughly checked by Mr McMillan and Cliff we entered into the cool and refreshing water and had an opportunity to jump down into the lovely pool. This was perfect after a hot and tropical walk with Gabriel. His explanation and confident attitude into letting us try the natural fruits was extremely welcoming! 

The Guys at Cascada Verdes (Green Waterfalls)

Cameron trying to tred water and give a bit of a Roxcool pose

Try and pick your son out from this one then

A special surprise was waiting as we came back from the waterfall: we were greeted by Gabriel’s friend who taught us how to extract sugary juice from the rich sugar canes. This involved one man feeding canes into a huge press, while all the guys took their turn in rotating the huge arm.  The juice ran out the bottom into a plastic wash basin (not very romantic I know but very effective.  The sugary juice was then mixed with orange and lime juice fresh off the trees surrounding us.  Delicious! (Ed. some found it more delicious than others and had four refills!  Not mentioning names Cough, Jake, Andy and a few others.)

Feeding in the Sugar Cane

Our afternoon consisted of further swimming in the shallow river located beside the cabins, endless card games and a group of us walking into the local town to further widen our South American cultural experience. To finish our brilliant day we tirelessly played with Gabriel’s energy-filled children and were fed with large Steak fillets and piles of rice to fill seventeen hungry men!  We leave tomorrow for the coast and the start of our ‘project’ phase. We’re all hoping the food is as good as Gabriel’s; somehow we’re not convinced it will be.

Pobre Perro! (poor doggy) :-(

Patrick Nicholas

Blog No. 11 - Chocolate in Paradise

The day began as every other one so far has: grogginess and an overwhelming reluctance to get out of one’s sleeping bag and into the cold, damp Ecuadorian mountain air. Having acclimatised successfully we were able to eat our staple breakfast of porridge and pack away in no time.

As we boarded the bus to Puerto Quito, we took our final looks at the mountain ranges we had just trekked; the blankets of snow and cloud wrapped around them, like stone giants slumbering.

The bus journey was an opportunity to catch up on some well-needed sleep. It was only four hours long but when we stepped out it was like we had been teleported to a different country; the descent of four thousand metres was noticed, to say the least. As we exited the bus we were struck by a wall of hot, humid air.

We were far from the comfort zone to which we are accustomed; the luxuries and indulgences of Western life.

So after a brief walk we were perspiring, although whether it was from anticipation or the heat it was hard to say. Therefore, the sight of the aptly placed river was a blessing. We spent the majority of the afternoon in the river, cooling off, washing and relaxing.

Understandably we had quite an appetite at this point, so the steak we had for dinner was devoured. However, the best was still to come. Gabriel, the hostel manager, had toasted some fresh cocoa beans. We then ground them, added them into a sugar cane and milk sauce and ate it hot with freshly sliced pineapple and banana- without a doubt it was the culinary highlight of the trip so far.

(Ed. 9.30 pm, Mr Lamb has gone to bed, as have all the guys, only Mr McMillan and I remain.  For me, this is a common experience  gained from previous World Challenge trips I’ve been on, listening to all the sounds of the jungle before heading to bed.  However, what I have noticed today is the contrast between yesterday’s mountain ascent and the lush, warm and moist climate I find myself in today.  Mr McMillan seems to be enjoying the ambiance too currently lying in one of the hammocks our host has around this fabulous place.  I’m pretty sure he has made up his mind for a South East Asian ‘jungle expedition’ in 2016.

Buenas Noches everyone)

By Louis Magowan      

Blog No. 10 - The Summit of our Challenge

(Ed. Sorry for the delay in getting this out folks...we have been on our travels and to a place where there is no internet.  I have had to come into the town of Puerto Quito to find some internet and send out the blog.  We leave here tomorrow (8th) for our Project in Puerto Lopez.  Hope everyone is enjoying the blogs...All is well in the camp )

Today was probably one of the earliest starts of the week and was not the greatest.  But sure it is World Challenge early morning never hurt anyone.  After we woke up and had what can only be said to be a fantastic breakfast.  From my perspective I’m just happy enough not having to be cooking the breakfast..  Porridge has not been everyone’s favourite meal on the trek but the amount of sugar, jam and condensed milk we put on it you can barely taste the porridge anyway. 

After breakfast it was an early bus up to Cotapaxi National park to do our last day of trekking, and to our highest summit of “ruminyawah” (im sure its spelt like that)(Ed. its not ).  It was 4631m but still looked like a child in comparison to the monstrosity that was the volcano Cotopaxi measuring up to near 5700m close by us. 

The bus journey was the usual “kaper” pardon the slang.  2 hour bus journey with our guides, stopping for food breaks.  Most people slept, listened to music or poked people in the head with walking poles.  All the usual stuff to be honest.

We arrived at the foot of  “ruminyawah”, at I have no idea what time but it wasn’t the ideal picture we all had in our heads for the day.  There wasn’t bright sunny skies, birds chirping and easy trekking ahead.  We got out of the bus with a wind that I suppose could only be described as cutting as it seemed to cut into your cheeks and the clouds just began to look ever more daunting with each passing minute.  We knew it was going to be a hard day ahead of us.

The pace started brilliantly, nice and slow (Ed. this is usual when trekking at altitude).  It felt nice not being completely sweaty and out of breath within 15minutes of the trek.  The usual voices protruded through the group (Cough Paddy and Lui!!!) with the usual, either trivia questions or people going, “dammit I don’t know who you are” 20 questions has become a popular game in the past 2 days while trekking. 

The higher the guides seemed to take us, it became clear everyone was coping well.  No feeling the altitude and everyone seemed to be working unbelievably as a team.  Breaks began to seem like they were holding us back rather than giving us breaks with everyone itching to get to the peak. 

We were almost there,  we had about 200m vertically to the top when we all began to feel a bit of dismay when we saw the sand and loose rocks . Why is there even sand on top of a mountain?  (Ed. maybe because we are on a volcanoJ). The soft surface was tackled and everyone made it to the last leg of out trek which was rocky scrambling.  In my opinion it was what I was waiting for the whole trek and was probably the most fun, apart from running down the mountain which I will get to.

We all made it to the peak, exasperated we looked round to what can only be said to be clouds and half mountains (it was a vertical drop the other side to where we had been climbing) , but in all honesty I couldn’t care less if it wasn’t what I pictured, but we had made it to the top safely and that’s all that mattered to be quite honest.

After that we ran down the mountain, literally, although it wasn’t as dangerous as it sounds, there was only rocks and sand to hurt you on.  It was great fun and possibly the highlight of the day.  We eventually made it to the bottom. It was pretty sweet we could see where we just came from.  The clouds did spoil the view of Cotopaxi, but this did not dampen our spirits.   There was an upside the weather was beginning to pick up. 

We made it to the bottom and hopped on the bus and made it back to our campsite which for the life of me I have no idea what its name is.  (Ed. Tut tut Cameron!) We have just finished dinner here, which was great once again because I didn’t cook it.  Sorry if this seems a bit rushed but we are about to go to the festival up the road and I really want to go.  I’m sure someone else can share the night we are about to have. Later and thanks for reading.

Cameron Powell