What an incredible day!!

We boarded the CIVA bus at about 9pm on Friday night at the Cusco Terminal Terrestre.  It was an experience in itself – so many people moving in so many different directions.  Everyone (in our group)’s eyes were popping out of their heads.  The bus was very comfortable (we had it all to ourselves) and the 180 degrees ‘cama’ seats fitted everyone very well (except Isaac, Gus and me)!!  We arrived safely in Puerto Maldonado at about 7;30am and went in some local buses to Casa Amazonas to leave our big bags and have breakfast.  It was awesome to see Vanessa (my wife) and Luka (our tour guide and translator for this section of the journey).  We had a great breakfast and packed our jungle bags and headed to the Rainforest Expeditions office to start our deep jungle adventure!  After an hour driving to the the Infierno community we boarded two boats (the Capybaras and the Caimanes) and headed up the Tambopata river…eating a special lunch in a ‘Bijao’ leaf.  We saw LOTS of wildlife on the banks of the river including a Capybara (better photos (than on my phone) to come), Caiman, Tortugas (turtles), and millions of butterflies!!  Then we arrived in the luxurious lodge…in the middle of the amazon and everyone (teachers) included…couldn’t believe their eyes…I have included some photos of some the kids in their rooms.  Pretty soon we were off on the activities.  the Caimanes went to the Tres Chimbadas Lake and the Capybaras went to the incredible bird tower.  I was lucky to be able to join both groups and I have included some photos and videos in this post…..but it does not do justice to the INCREDIBLE place we are in!

The lake group saw SO MANY birds …including the prehistoric looking ‘Shansho’ Hoatzin AND they saw Capybaras and GIANT RIVER OTTERS……a family of 5…..absolutely amazing.  They were out in the lake so long, I had to go looking for them in a local canoe (see photo).  Meanwhile the Capybara group were up the tower (see video) and saw a whole family of Howler Monkeys in a tree at the SAME height as they were!…as well as Toucans and Macaws and a huge variety of other birds.  It was a spectacular afternoon.

We ate dinner and then has some night activities including Insect ‘Trampa’ collections and Indigenous Ese Eja Myth story telling from local guide Rodolfo.  It was awesome …but by 9pm we were exhausted so we went to be …ready for the early start tomorrow of 4:00am (that is not a Typo).  Until tomorrow…signing off from the Amazon Jungle

Harry