On the 25-26 of March 2010 Landmark Learning and Mingai (Landmark´s Ecuadorian Sister) joined up to bring a SWR course to the Eco-Tourism center of Ecuador - Baños.  We had river guides that traveled from Quito, Mindo, Tena and of course the majority were guides in Baños.  Our course ran on the Rio Pastaza in the community of Rio Negro.  Justin Padgett and Esteban Barrera were the instructors.  Andrés Reyes one of the students from the guide service GEOTOURS assisted us with logistics the day before. Our classroom was a restaurant high above the rapids where we ran the river portion of the class.  We were able to arrange the site with the exchange of eating lunch at their place.  Comida tipica of arroz, pollo, ají, aguacates, ensalada de verduras and jugo de maracuyá to complete the deal - all for about 2.00 each plate.   I must say that this course had the best time management of all the SWR courses we have run in Ecuador since 2004….we are still baffled.  We even had to change our course site on day two because the river came up a couple of feet, dramatically changing our river features. Another really cool aspect of this course, was that it was supported by the Chamber of Tourism in Baños who provided our transports, meals and lodging in Baños.  Great times were had by all at the course…..in fact I think we said our final goodbyes to the students sometime just after midnight….that´s right we had a small, yet appropriate fiesta as the final close to the course.

There were lot´ of questions about when we will return…..likely February 2011.  Sonrisas!