Sierra Chincua

Today we were going to the Sierra Chincua Butterfly sanctuary. The day had dawned with cloudless skies again so we knew we would be in for a treat.

Can you see that mountain in the centre of the picture? Well the sanctuary was at the top!

I wanted to walk as I wasn't too sure about riding a horse up and down a mountain. However, walking was going to take too long and with the added problems that altitude can bring I was persuaded to mount a horse. Of course this was the second time now that I had been on a horse so I knew the discomfort that was ahead of me.

I emphasized my lack of experience but I think something was lost in the translation as it wasn't long before the boy leading me gave me the reins to go it alone.

As long as the horse just walked I was fine, but when it decided to go a little faster and start trotting, I had no idea what to do except hold on for dear life.

It was a long haul up the mountain. The path was quite narrow in places and I worried that the horse might slip over the edge. I needed both hands so I stopped trying to be clever and put the camera away until I reached the top.

 

Of course, the horse could have found its way up there blindfolded but it was still an unnerving experience for me and I was glad when we got there so I could get off and regain some feeling in my legs.

A lot of the area had been cordoned off when we got to the top as the butterflies were on the move and were landing on the ground. Our guide took us behind the roped off area for a few minutes and I was able to get some close up photos.

Here you can see them all gathered on the ground so each step had to be taken with care.

The horses had a long rest before they were needed to take us down the mountain.

It was even scarier going down hill on a horse and my knees were killing me.

When we got to the bottom of the mountain we dismounted and gave the horses back to their owners. I must say the horses looked delighted to have real riders on their backs.