Into the Jungle

Lets just add bullet ants, fire ants, and cockroaches to the list of things I hate to find in the dead of night while in the Amazon. I'm back from a few days in the Amazon basin and to say that the experience was worth every penny would be selling it short.

I started this adventure by making my way to the overly crowded and somewhat disgusting Terminal de Omnibus in Cusco. After a way too hot, lights turning on at 3am, huge man snoring behind me kind of 10 hour bus ride that you can only find in South America, I finally arrived in Puerto Maldonado at the edge of the Amazon Basin here in Peru. 

I was greeted by intense humidity, mosquitoes and a lack of tour guide with my name scribbled on paper. Great start. Figuring out that my bus had actually arrived 20 minutes early, I realized that if I waited a little bit I'm sure someone would turn up for me. At least that is what I comforted myself with. Sure enough they did. Sweating profusely by this time due to the heat, we made it to the man's truck and were off to the marina. 

A few hours later, three mosquito bites and one thoroughly sore bum, we finally were pulling into the dock at the lodge I'd be staying at for the next three nights. Day 1 was spent on a jungle walk, exploring Isla de Mono and searching for caimans at night. But really that can all be summed up with a selfie with a monkey. 

Quite self explanatory 

Day 2. Sandoval lake is preserved within the Tambopata National Reserve and requires a 2km trek to reach. A short canoe paddle through dense jungle releases you into the middle of the lake which is spectacular to say the least. We were the first group to enter the reserve and to have it all to ourselves for about two hours was brilliant. Mirror calm waters, giant otters fishing next to us, monkeys flying through the trees, vampire bats clinging upside down to a trunk fast asleep, and butterflies. Ooooh the butterflies. 

Sandoval Lake

Tangent - In Buenos Aires a few of us were talking about how the German language sounds very rough and harsh to speak. Ms. Ena Lamont however spoke out defending it and showed us all how Smitelin/Butterfly in German actually sounded quite pleasant. Quickly asking the Dutch girl what butterfly was in her language (flinder) set off a chain of events that leads to present times. Just over two months later I now know how to say butterfly in 13 languages. It was 14 but I forgot how to say it in Turkish..

A night time jungle walk revealed giant tarantulas, bullet ants, fireflies and quite a few other creepy crawlies. The next day was spent canopying, ziplining, and kayaking down the river. One of the cooler things of the day was actually jumping out of the kayak and taking a swim in the river! It took a bit to get over everything I knew about what could kill/bite/maim/drown you that lived in the water but nonetheless felt quite obligated to take the opportunity. 

Big ass tarantula

Currently on my way back to Puerto Maldonado. Will be catching a quick flight back to Cusco where I'll be on my way to the Mercado de San Pedro for some late afternoon Lechon/Roasted Pig before getting my pack ready for the Inca Trail that I start tommorow! Lets just end this with another selfie with a monkey chilling on my chest. 

Me Gusta

Channy

Instagram - itsnathanchan

October 22nd, Rio Madre de Dios, Peru