Peru: Upper Amazon Basin

Landing in Iquitos, population of about half a million with access only by air or water, we rode in a van to our boat for the ride to the Upper Amazon Basin. Poverty slapped us in the face.

Notice the vultures hovering over the market.

HUGE moths! One of several

The building was our holding area while the boat was loaded.
We walked down the ramp to board. Thank goodness, our
bags were carried as it was precarious.

Walking on the ramp

View from the boat as we traveled to our stop.

Amazonia Expeditions

Searching for a perfect fit...we needed these boots!

A patient and knowledgeable guide

One of the best experiences ever was the night cruise ...the sounds,
the dark, the incredible, starry sky...

"Think of the wonders of God."

Tiny bats

One reason I liked sitting in the back of the boat-
watching the human activity

Accommodations on the Amazon stood on stilts. Rooms

were screened and beds had mosquito netting.

Ceilings were screens, but shadows

of critters crawling above sure could surprise one.

Showers and toilets were down at one end. The

walk provided bird and creature watching opportunities.

We watched ladies washing the linens along the riverbank. Imagine

our surprise when we saw our personal laundry hung out among the

buildings to dry.

Adjusting to the rhythm of nature, going to bed at dark, getting up with

the light, showering in the filtered river water surely made

us feel healthy.

Fishing

First catch of the day!
A very small catfish that was released

Second - and final - catch of the day

Another variety of catfish big enough to keep

and also caught by me :-)

I think they were going to cook it for supper, but...

......they used it as bait so we could see the
cayman that lives near the dock.

A mother and son staying in the lodge caught a few piranha. They
graciously shared with our group so we could have a taste.

.
Christmas in the Amazon!!!

What a feast!!!

The lodge used solar power so recharging batteries was limited to

certain hours. Our eyes adjusted to the dim atmosphere at night.

Two of the best guides ever!

The Amazon Group

which was

Part of our African safari group + one.

Kathleen gave us a whole new perspective on packing.

Deb provided an easy going spirit.

Kathy was the instigator telling all how much she

enjoyed the hot shower. (The water was filtered river water.

               The temperature of the river equals the temperature of the showers.)

              The men insisted that their side didn't work the way the ladies

side did.

Enthusiastic Matt, Christine, and JP did not

miss an outing even the extremely dark night walk...but

the sights they saw!

Lewis, now a college student, was our babe who had one of

his own far away.

Nothing gets passed Roger, and he has millions of pictures

to prove it.

House cat hanging around...literally!

We boated to a large 'gazebo' where four villages came together

for Christmas Day. Another guest I talked with said he had come five

years ago when there was no electricity and the people

still wore their native dress. We watched a show

with the children.

Part of the entertainment

We assisted the locals in the serving after the show.

Then they gave us gifts to present to the children....balls, stuffed animals,

cars...one gift per child. All were grateful for what they were given.

No whiners here!

 Flint started the high fives.

After the gifts...all waited patiently until every child had a toy.

Tree full of birds!!!

Just 'swangin'

Ladies in boats picked red berries ....camu camu...for juice. The water level

of the river was high enough for them to be in the treetops.

When it rained too hard for us to go out, they brought ladies in to

teach us basket weaving. Christine, Kathy, and Kathleen discovered

new skills!

Bird identification

I did not add the myriad of pictures of birds, sloths, monkeys, spiders,

all sorts of creatures that we saw.  Others probably have better photos,

or you can check out a National Geographic.

(One disappointment....no anacondas...)

This is a part of the world that is best remembered in the heart.