The San Martin Ecological garden is a wondrous place surrounded by the immensely beautiful mountains of Ecuador. The staff is friendly, welcoming, and work continuously to make visitors comfortable. They care for over 66 endangered or threatened species indigenous to the surrounding cloud forest. They also provide visitors with a unique experience to get up close and photograph these animals that are rarely, if ever, seen in the wild. The San Martin zoo provides a genetic bank for the species that are quickly disappearing from the wild. It is a gem that endows visitors with an unforgettable and life changing experience.

            The city of Baños contains a deep well of culture that engulfs visitors upon entering. There exists a balance between traditional and modern that one notices immediately. Everything is hand made with delicate skill and sold along the streets. There are no McDonalds, Burger Kings, or Pizza Huts; the foods are flavorful, original and worth the time that is spent to prepare them, and the most expensive meal costs less than fast food with five star quality. Don’t be surprised if you are randomly visited and sang to during your meal, or the local pet comes in to greet you. The local bars are cultural centers in their own right. Since Baños is the gateway to the tropical rainforest, it attracts adventure travelers from around the world.  By the time you leave you will feel like you are leaving family and most definitely want to come back.

Kuching Borneo is an assortment of peoples and history. There are buildings containing distinctly Indian, Chinese and English architecture intermingled throughout the city along with some buildings that have been modernized. The three main museums, the Sarawak, Chinese and Cat museums are a site not to be missed when visiting to experience just some of the history. It is possible to catch a glimpse of the illusive Irrawaddy dolphins of the Sarawak. There are also the Bako, Matang and Mulu national parks as well as the Orangutan Rehabilitation Center that provide hours of photographic documentation.