SHAMAN RITUAL AT THE AMAZON

An authentic experience aboard Eco-Planet Adventure: While on EXPEDITION AMAZON 2010, trekking deep in the rural jungle of Ecuador we participated a Shaman ritual that is part of the Amazonian indigenous tradition. It is a spiritual healing and cleansing ceremony that balance the energy of the body. Our friends of the Amazon were kind to share such tradition with us and to teach us all about it. We share it with you here. You might want to experience it first hand by joining Mickey on one of his next Eco-Challenge Adventures.

THE HUNT FOR THE PECCARY

Deep in the Amazon we joined the local indigenous people while they went hunting for food for their families. We approached a herd of about 100 wild and dangerous Peccaries (wild boar) . When threatened, the Peccary defends itself with its tusk which sharpens themselves every time it open or close their mouths. This is the loud sound you hear at the background (like breaking sound of tree’s clips). The Peccary is sometimes called a “musk hog”, because of its strong odor it gives off. It took me over one hour to clean myself in the river out of the stinky odor from the hunted Peccary I carried on my back. Nevertheless I was happy to see our indigenous hosts glad to have a great deal of “food on their table”

CLIMBING THE COTOPAXI

Climbing the Cotopaxi Volcano at the Andes of Ecuador was a tough challenge to the teams who joined Mickey Grossman on EXPEDITION AMAZON 2010. High speed winds, dust and steep slope, all at high altitude of 16,500 feet slowed down even those who consider themselves as professional climbers and of high endurance level. With Mickey Grossman leading Eco Planet Adventures this climb at the first day of the Expedition required all to get quick into shape and adventure mode.