Prehistoric Fern Forest

The fern forest was part of a national reserve situated not too far away from Alix & David's place in the mountains of Samaipata. We drove to the edges of it and hiked through for hours to find the most lush pastures.  I was so shocked to see the first fern as it was nothing like I had expected. It looked like a cross between a pineapple a palm tree and a giant carrot. Its trunk was mottled and thick, its texture resembling dead coral. Soon enough we were completely surrounded by them as we trekked through the dappled sunlight. The effect was magical, a hazy emerald green mist was all around and the ginormous trees dwarfed us and made us feel like the faires of fern gully.