Little Cabin in the Big Woods

For our final post on the Las Tangaras blog (nooooo!), we’d like to give a tour of the cabin that we’ve been caring for and living in for the last three months. It’s a lovely spot, and so many visitors are amazed when they arrive at how nice it is.

On the trail into the reserve, the first view you get of the cabin is often a welcome sight – you’re almost there!

The cabin is surprisingly large. Photos don’t do it justice, but even when people come to the house itself, they’re often surprised when they walk in the door at just how much space there is.

The bottom floor has the kitchen, dining area, living room, and full bath (yup, running water, flush toilet, hot shower – not too bad for the middle of nowhere!). The kitchen is enormous:

which is helpful when we have overnight visitors use the self-service option and bring their own food – many cooks in the kitchen actually fit here.

The living room has recently been improved, with new furniture, mostly made on-site (carrying a couch down the entry trail was just not an option) – remember the bamboo that we harvested at the beginning of our tenure here?:

Visitors who choose to stay in the lodge have a bed made up for them on the upper floor, which is mostly one big open loft that’s open to outside, as well. A mosquito net, comfortable mattress, sheets and blankets, pillow, and towel are all provided, so just a day pack is enough for a stay here.

The real attraction of Las Tangaras is outside, of course, but inside is pretty nice, too. It has been a wonderful home for our three months in Ecuador, and we hope that the new managers, Tom and Freya, will enjoy it as much as we have.

Thanks to Life Net Nature and Las Tangaras for the opportunity to be here, and we hope many more people will discover the beauty of the reserve!

– Kate and Jeff