Ecuador: A Trip of a Lifetime, by Chef John Martinez
When I received the invitation to attend the Republic of Cacao trip, I wasn't sure if I could make it. But thank God it worked out! Because it truly was the trip of a lifetime. The trip was so easy thanks to the team and no detail was overlooked. We arrived in Guayaquil and had a good rest before dinner with our amazing tour guides and trip hosts.
Our first day of adventure began early in the morning, on our way to Vinces to see the cocoa plantations and the collection center. It was an incredible experience to see the cocoa trees and the farmers who work so hard to harvest and grow cocoa. Something you take for granted as a pastry chef is where and how the chocolate you use every day is made. Seeing this process firsthand was a eye-opening experience and something I will never forget.
Our second day was on the most magical mountain I've ever seen in my life. Not only “The Miracle of Panela” it was the main attraction, but also the impressive view from all angles. The blooming trees, the mountain peaks, the incredible little house where we had lunch was a dream location. Pacto was my favorite part of the trip, it was simply breathtakingly beautiful. The freshly made panela was the cleanest natural sugar I have ever tasted.
On our third day, we traveled to the Andes to Turucucho. This experience was definitely the highlight of the trip for the group. We were so high in the mountains that you truly appreciate how incredible Mother Earth is. Not only was the landscape magical, but so were the women who cultivate milk. These women are the hardest working you will ever meet and the most humble.
Our last day of this trip was our chocolate factory tour. What a fun experience to see how everything comes together to produce the chocolate I use in my kitchen! Of course, the best part of the chocolate factory tour was the tasting.
For me, the entire experience was something I will never forget. From all the people who organized the trip to everyone who was with us in Ecuador on the buses traveling with us to all the places. As a group, we laughed and cried together with joy for everything we experienced. The knowledge I gained from this trip allows me to better explain my craft to clients and colleagues. And thanks to all the photos I took along the way, my team felt like they were there with me. If anyone had the opportunity to take this trip, I would definitely say it's a trip of a lifetime.
