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Published: December 26th 2005
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tarantula
yes it was alive by tim
Hi everyone we hope you are still well even though those of you in the UK are probably cold, never mind suckers.
In Cusco our group was joined by three more people Chris( london) his wife Gigi (italian) and Gigi´s friend Ciara (italian). We flew to Puerto Maldanado in the Peruvian Amazon. A really neat 2hr canoe trip down the Tambopata river delivered us to our lodge. This was the part of the trip I had been dreading the most. I hate spiders, snakes, bugs that fly and anything that bites. Come to think of it I don´t like anything that might hurt me. All in all its fair to say the Amazon was´nt going to be a highlight.
The first night there the guide suggested we take a night hike into the jungle. I thought he was joking. He was´nt so I took this as my cue to use the toilet. About 5 minutes into the walk we came across a tarantula, I have never seen so many trouser legs being tucked into socks so fast. Some of the group thought it was dead. The guide thought it would be a good idea to poke it with
caroline and wally
the monkeys the one in the black coat a stick. I thought it would be a good idea to give him a slap but luckily for him I could´nt reach as I was hiding behind Caroline. A bit further on and we came across a jumping spider on a leaf, we all took some pictures but I could´nt help noticing how far away everyone kept. I did´nt hear anyone ask how far they could jump, I guess nobody really wanted to know.
The next day was good, we saw loads more animals and birds, but that night we went on a canoe ride. The canoe was about 4ft wide and maybe 30ft long and seemed quite unstable especially with 14 people in it. The river Tambopata is an offshoot of the Amazon but is as wide as the Thames and is lined by hundreds of miles of jungle on both sides. We also headed into an electrical storm, it was great, I loved it. Caroline was´nt so keen but we got back ok.
The morning greeted us with rain and lots of it. We had breakfast which was the first time I had eaten anything worthwhile since day 1 of the inca trail. After breakfast we headed back
some of the group
the best mode of transport yet to the airport. On the canoe they dropped the plastic sheeting down the front and sides because of the rain, it was like being in a bubble, totally detached from the rest of the world. It was just the best feeling. We could´nt see a thing in front of us so we wondered how the driver at the back could manage, but then I noticed he was wearing an Arsenal shirt so I figured his life must lack hope so why should he care.
At the airport we said our goodbye´s to Jimmy(london) Travis, Chu Li, and Melissa (aussies) and Scott and Aruna (aussies). We look forward to seeing most of you again soon.
Adios
by caroline
Day 9 Today we take a flight to Puerto Malddonado. As soon as you get of the plane the heat and humidity hits you like a brick wall we tranfer to the office 15 mins to sort out what we ned to take, then back on the bus for a rather bumpy ride to the canoes.
The boat ride is about 2 hrs stopping at one check point for passport stamps.On the way we see Capibara and Red Howler monkeys.
On arriving
jumping spider
not a bad shot considering how far away i was at the lodge we get shown our rooms and have a chance for a wonder. Tonight we go on a night walk, we came across terantula,jumping spider,large toad,fire flies,stick insects and a bamboo rat.
Day10 Today I meet wally the pet spider monkey, he is 7 months old and very cute, he seem to prefer the girls and comes running up your leg.
7am we w,,alk to an ox-bow lake to sit on a katamoran, here we found hundreds of butterflies,fly catchers snake birds, bats and macarws.
Fishing was also going on, for pirana no one managed to catch any thing mind. after lunch we had chill out time,we went for a short walk but it began to rain so we went back to find wally.That evening we took a canoe up the river to see camen, the boat seemed a bit rocky and lightnig was flashing around us, I found this a bit scarey.
Delford one of the guides pulled a small Camen out of the river I think he thorught he was Croccodile Dundee.
Day 11 We left the lodge at 7am it is pouring with rain so the plastic sides are down on the canoe,we manage to
our lodge
even had an ensuite lose the paddle so we had to go back and retrieve it. back at the airport we find our plane has been cancelled Panick! we fly to the Galaphogas tomorrow.Finally we got on another flight, had to pay for it though.
Arrived in Lima at about 6.30pm.
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sonia&brian
non-member comment
happy new year
hi your journal is great reading.will write an email to you or i will try !xx sonia