Gary A. Scott

They say they are savages, but the message I saw in the jungle made me wonder who is civilized and who is not! Dear International Friend, Merri and I just took our first trip to our Amazon Lodge. While traveling there, I read an appropriate book, "Ishmael". This is the story of a Gorilla becoming the [...]

Two recent articles in USA Today show one of our greatest health risks. Learn here how we learn and immerse ourselves in the solution. One recent article showed that 67 of Americans made resolutions in the New Year to either spend more times with friends, put friends and family first, to lose weight or eat healthy. [...]

Here are just five of the eleven comprehensive treatments available at La Mirage Spa. Herbal Bath Wrap: Soak in a Jacuzzi infused with Lemon grass, Eucalyptus, Clove, and Cinnamon. The essences are known for their immune enhancing and circulation stimulating qualities. The bath is followed by a wrap in steaming unbleached blankets saturated with these same [...]

Out trip into the Amazon rain forest was Amazing. We began with a 25 minute flight from Quito to Agrio Lago (sour lake), an oil town deep in the jungle about 35 miles from the Colombian border. This is a rough wild-west type of town and the airport is just an asphalt strip cut in [...]

Here is an Ecuadorian hotel deal and a half! This is why Merri and I cannot rest! Dear International Friend, Though we are trying to take some R & R, we keep finding deals and places we want to share with you! Yesterday's message shared how we stumbled across Hacienda San Miguel. Today we stumbled across another place [...]

Rancho Totorol is just past the city of Ibarra, reached through a long tree lined drive. The entrance is a neatly kept grove of neatly avocado trees, their bases painted white. The clubhouse has thick white-washed, adobe walls and red roof tiles. Al fresco dining on thick-planked tables protected by white umbrellas enjoys broad views [...]

Merri and I arrived in Ecuador planning to rest, but there have been so many miracles and such opportunities I hardly know where to begin. As always our trips to Ecuador, start with plans of peace and quiet. Yet they always seem turn into a never ending chain of exciting [...]

Hacienda San Miguel was the center of a huge hacienda (term for ranch with lots of acres) 100 years ago. Ecuador was divided into these huge estates originally granted to Spaniards by the Queen of Spain. This was the way Spain maintained control. The families of these haciendas pledged loyalty to the crown in return [...]

We knew we were getting a good deal but had no idea at the bargain we had found. Dear International Friend, Upon arriving in Ecuador we drove out to our new home where we'll spend the winter (we thought-more on this tomorrow) in a hacienda just outside of Ibarra (White City). This town is the capital of [...]

The house where Merri and I are staying is on a 65 acre plantation that sits atop a small plateau. View spread in each direction over lush, green valleys. The house is in the Spanish style, with high walls and wrought iron gates surrounding the building and huge, arched wooden entrance doors. The house is u-shaped [...]