At the abandoned compound we resorted to breaking and entering to get bedding materials and drinking water out of a storage room. We got into the kitchen to encounter a thriving ecosystem. It included ants, roaches, moths and couple of very large frogs. The jungle again, asserting it's territorial rights.

Given our food supply and preparation facilities, it was unanimous that our scheduled five-day stay would be shortened to two. At least this would allow us to experience two highlights of the park, La Meseta and El Encanto. La Meseta is the plateau and El Encanto is a spectacular waterfall that spills off of the plateau.

The white arrow on the right is the top of the waterfall. We hiked to the base of it for a refreshing swim. The following day we hiked to the top of the mesa from the other side, see arrow on the left.

Driving toward El Encanto, a fallen tree presented another challenge for Blanco Billy. It required a few more hours of labor but fortunately it was in a cooler area with less insects. We had to dig a hole in the road in order to drive under the tree.


Many times I had to ask myself, "What have I gotten my baby sister into??" She was pushed close to her limit a time or two, but all in all, she was a remarkably good sport. On the way out of the park, at the ranger station, she discovered a small infestation of ticks on her body. (Somehow I was spared their onslaught.) In the relative comfort and cleanliness of the ranger station we were able to deal with the situation. Had she discovered the ticks deep in the jungle, she said she might have really lost it.

And there was no love lost between Patty and Macho Pancho by the end of the trip. Pancho is a good friend, and had the best of intentions, but his Bolivian machismo wore thin with independent Patty.

I am, however, happy to report that she is still on speaking terms with me. All part of the family fun and adventure.