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Published: April 15th 2007
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Morning Mist
Early morning on the Beni River. Day two in the jungle was promising to be full of adventure as we set off into the rainforest for a 4 hour walk after tucking into a hearty breakfast. Before we set off, Glynn and I ventured to the riverfront to watch the sun shine through the morning haze. Down on the muddy banks of the river we were surprised to find a mass of capybara footprints leading in and out of the water. A capybara is like a cross between a giant rat and an otter. We had no idea that such big animals were living so close by to our camp.
The first part of the route we followed was the same as where we had been yesterday on our night safari but of course everything looked completely different in the daylight. The first thing we noticed was just how many ants there are here in the jungle and ants is one of the things I'm not too good with (well, there's never only one you understand!). They came in all shapes and sizes and even in different colours. The most ferocious we met were the red fire ants that live on a particular tree. Apparently
Animal Trackers
Capybara footprints by the river near our camp. the locals used to tie people to these trees as a form of torture as the ants will literally eat you alive - ouch!
As Angel hacked his way through the undergrowth with his newly sharpened machete, we found ourselves heading deeper and deeper into the unknown. Along the way we saw the most incredible bugs, some shaped cunningly like leaves, others that were so brightly coloured it was a wonder they could survive the eye of a keen predator. There were loads of huge, brightly coloured butterflies flapping about but it was nigh on impossible to catch one on film. We followed animal tracks belonging to wild pigs and even a puma but we never got to see any big game. We did however come across the recently devoured remains of a wild pig and Angel was certain is was the handiwork (or jaw-work) of a puma.
Looking up into the vast canopy of trees, we did manage to spot some cool birdlife including a toucan that was merrily munching on fruit and dropping the heavy kernals on the ground right where we were standing. Later on we also saw little green parrots and some large black
X Marks the Spot
Just incase you can't find him, this big spider helpfully marked his web with a cross! birds we couldn´t quite identify from a distance but they had the most sweet birdsong I've ever heard. Other than that we saw a load more different spiders that all looked pretty menacing to me!
One of the main attractions for doing the jungle tour for us rather than going to the Pamapas (savannah) was to learn about the various uses for the jungle plants. We found cures for everything from a headache to athletes foot and insect bites. Other plants yielded sticky sweet liquid safe for drinking when cut appropriately or had highly toxic saps that the tribespeople use for making poisonous blowdarts. Madidi National Park is a protected area and it's no longer permitted for anyone to hunt here but just across the river, it's a different story. Alas we didn't get to meet any indigenous tribes - you have to go further upriver for that which takes both more time and money.
Our favourite part of the long trek was when we came to a clearing by a brook. A bundle of vines hung down over the trickle of a river and Angel fashioned a little seat out of and small tree which he bound
Jungle Jish
The meanest machete wielder of them all! tightly to one of the thickest vines. After giving it a good tug, he hopped on and swang right out across the small valley. It looked liek a lot of fun so I volunteered to go next. It was absolutely brilliant - a 100% natural swing that even Tarzan would have been envous of! We all had several gos each as it was so much fun but eventually we got back to the serious business of hiking through the forest.
After our fascinating trek, we arrived back at camp to find a new group of four jungle trekkers had arrived. We got to know each other over lunch and in the afternoon all joined up for a walk on the other side of the river to see the macaws. The newcomers consisted of three Brits and a German girl so the language mix was ideal for us and the Swiss couple we were with.
Heading down to the boat, we were pleased to find the muddy bank had dried out a bit and it was much easier getting in the boat as it had been getting out yesterday! We only sailed about 10 minutes downstream and were dropped
Spiky Tree
Looks like this tree´s bark is worse than its bite... off at the edge of a bamboo forest. This time we had two guides hacking their way through the vegetation but it was extremely muddy underfoot and the newly cut route was tricky to follow. Somehow, at one point I must have lost sight of the route the people in front of me had taken and I ended up sinking almost knee-deep in the mud. I couldn´t move my feet at all as the mud was sucking me in and Glynn had to literally yank me out with all his strength. I was worried I might lose my boots in the vaccum but thankfully I had tied them good and tight and they came out intact. That´s not to say I wasn´t completely covered in mud though! If it hadn´t been so funny, I might seriously have been a bit concerned but ti certainly made for a memorable anecdote!
After about 30 minutes and the precarious crossing of a slippery tree trunk across a small ravine, we arrived at the macaw viewing platform. before us was a large cliff with several small holes dotted around that are home to these beautiful red and blue parrot-liek birds. At first, we
Fire Ants
I´m steering well clear of this evil lot! couldn´t see any macaws so the newcomers split off and followed their guide up to the top of the cliff while we decided to wait below. regula, the Swiss girl in our group, had been sick this morning and wouldn´t have managed the difficult ascent. After my mishap in the mud, I decided not to take any chances either! We were rewarded after a short while when a family of four macaws flew into their little cubby holes and perched on the ledges for us to admire them. A few other macaws came and went and we felt very lucky to have seen them as they are not always around.
It was another awesome day for us and we retured to camp feeling like we had definitely chosen the right tour to do. While the other group headed out after dinner for their night safari, we relaxed in the hammocks and rested our weary legs before turning in for another early night when the darkness set in once again.
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Linda
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Spiky!
Those tree spikes were just mad - they look like spikes on roses. I don't suppose they would have broken off in the same way? I have some strange memories of breaking off rose thornes then sticking them to your nose making it pointy. If the bark would do the same thing, it looks like you'd have to have two to make horns! The strange thoughts of Linda... Oh yeh, keep meaning to mention - Loving the puns by the way!