About Kaya Barker

Following the terrible news that Jae would need surgery to fix the problem with his foot, we felt deflated and depressed. We tried to keep spirits high and enjoy our time whilst we awaited the results from the scan. We decided to take a break at the beach and relax for a few days in Canoa. After the long and tiring journey we stumbled upon a little paradise. Scattered along the sand stood several beach huts, hammocks, a restuarant and cocktail bar awaiting us at Casa Bambu. We dumped our bags and wandered down the beach where after a few [...]

Following several failed attempts we started to believe our visit to the waterfalls was doomed and we wouldn’t get a chance to see them during our stay. We felt relieved to receive a brilliantly sunny morning on our last Saturday at the reserve and straight after lunch headed out to the waterfalls. A group of 15 volunteers managed to hitch a some what precarious lift to the falls. We trudged along the muddy path by the riverside, slipping and sliding all the way. It was a steep and sweaty climb motivated by the deep cool pool of water which awaited [...]

After spending a couple of weeks in the jungle there are several things that become part of every day life. You get used to the slightly damp odour of your clothes in the morning and waking up with yet another scratch from something that bit you in the night. Checking the toilet for any giant insects or spiders  before intrepidly entering becomes second nature before long. Dodging the never ending ant trails crossing every path becomes a skill you can’t live without. You slowly become accustomed to routines of the reserve, early mornings at 6am, lazy afternoon siestas in the [...]

We awoke on Saturday morning to the loud splattering of rain one our rooftop, a very comforting feeling somehow when you´re curled up in your cabin, especially if it means you can enjoy a few more minutes sleep as there is little point heading out into the downpour. But unfortunately this meant plans to visit the waterfall were once again postponed for another day. Instead we hitched a lift to Tena in a big space wagon, quite a luxury compared to the open back trucks, and spent the day lazing around town. We enjoyed ice-cream, burgers and chips, and spent [...]

We’re had a wonderful week at the reserve and feel happily settled into our new home. On Saturday we visited Tena, the nearest town to the station, about 45 mins drive away. Normally there are Bosque walks on Saturdays but this week several staff were away on holiday. From Tena we caught the bus to Misahualli, because we wanted to see the nearby waterfall which is reached en route. Unfortunately the weather can be quite temperamental in the jungle and as we disembarked the bus a heavy rainstorm hindered our plans for the afternoon. We sheltered in a nearby house [...]

We´ve enjoyed another fantastic week and now feel fully adapted to life on the road. Following a truly relaxing few days in Mancora we travelled the long and slow journey across the border int Ecuador and on to Cuenca, a beautiful town nestled in the hills. Unfortunately Jae ate something dodgy at the border and I was feeling a little under the weather with a cold so we didn´t explore much on our first evening. However we did catch a glimpse of the bustling street markets, sunning architecture and beautiful plazas.
Jae experienced a restless night of sickness and spent the morning [...]

So we´re been on the road for over a week now and what a week it´s been. Our trip began when we left Pocklington and made our way to London for the first stage of our journey. Things got off to a rocky start when Jae couldn´t find his yellow fever certificate and I booked the bus for the previous week, but we overcame our troubles and spent an enjoyable couple of days exploring the sites of London.
We enjoyed a few celebratory drinks with Ishy and Shelly and following their excellent advice took a boat down the Thames, soaking up London´s landmarks along [...]