Welcome to the Jungle, Baby!

We are back from the jungle and it was great! In Peurto Maldanado, we drove to the market on a motorcycle taxi. Three per bike would seem dangerous in Canada but we´ve seen entire families (including little babies no older than a few months) on bikes with drivers. We spent the morning of July 28 at the Plaza de Armas and since it was Independence Day, got to watch a military procession and flag raising. It was pretty neat. Our shuttle picked us up at 11am and we finally boarded our boat on the Rio Madres de Dias, and took a 1.5 hour trip down the the river to the lodge. It was hot, humid and sunny! We arrived and had a yummy lunch of Peruvian food, including lots of fruit. After unloading our bags into our hut (we had our own!), we boarded another boat and went to Monkey Island where we got to play with the monkeys. We have some great pictures (to follow as soon as I can). When the sun when down we took another boat trip, this time along the river to look for Caiman. We found some trying to hide.... Then a late dinner and to bed.

Our wake up call was 6 am (does anyone sleep in in this country?) and we took a hike through the Amazon to a Lost Lake. Along the way we found trees that set off compasses because they are magnetic, a tree that lookes like a penis, and a tree that smells like garlic. Aimey also ate beetle larva (I am not kidding!!) and we poked at a....wait for it....tarantula until it came out of hiding to play. AND I DIDN´T CRY! I´m ready for Rwanda folks!!!! We made it to the island just into time to board a little canoe and paddle around with the giant black Caiman. Yikes..... Then we headed back to the lodge where we swung in hammocks until lunch!

After lunch we took sticks and food and swimsuits and went across to Monkey Island to fish and swim. (For catfish, not monkeys!) We swam in water where Caiman live!! We swam to keep the flies off mostly, but it cooled us off before heading back. We showered (there is only cold water in in the jungle - for good reason...it´s bloody hot) and then relaxed in our private hammocks in the screened in porch to our hut. I read, Aimey dozed. That is the life!! Dinner was served in banana leaves and we played ping pong for a while before getting too warm.

This morning we had a great breakfast before coming back to Pto. Maldanado where we are spening time booking some hotels in Bolivia.....We head to Puno tomorrow and if my altitude sickness can subside, we´ll continue into Bolivia. If not, we think we might scratch it and head up the coast toward Ecuador. I´m dreading being sick again in Cusco but I´m being diligent with the altitude pills so I hope to be better. Either way, we´ll let you know!!

Stay tuned for pictures....I hope to do them later today when I come back to check my email and see if we actually have a place to stay on Lack Titicaca!