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Published: December 2nd 2008
Amazon
My first look at the mighty Amazon as we flew inThere was no way I was going to come all the way to South America and not visit the magnificent Amazon Rainforest. It was a dream for me to be able to see this place and it was better than I had ever imagined. It was seriously like Jurassic Park - giant, ancient, magical, powerful, overwhelming and darn right dangerous. It was truly amazing and it was a huge reminder that we really were trespassing into another world - one we humans don´t belong.
We flew into Peru´s Amazon Basin to a town called Puerto Maldonaldo where it was 35 degrees with 98% humidity. This was a massive shock from the cold of the Andes and it was unbelievably only a 30 minute plane trip away. It was here where we stayed in an eco lodge and practically became one with the jungle for two nights. Our hut was simple with wire walls so you could hear the incredible orchestra of the jungle all day and all night.
On our first night we went on a jungle walk and much to my dismay we came across three different giant triantulars. I am not exaggerating when I say that they
Amazon
Giant trees were the size of two human hands!! They were MASSIVE and I was warned that if one fell out of a tree onto me that I was to stay calm or it would bite me and I would endure hours of pain, but suvive to tell the story. Luckily this didn´t happen.
It was an incredible experience and as it got darker the jungle seemed to get louder and louder. We walked amongst 200 year old trees and giant ferns. It was superb. I felt like I was in a David Attenborough documentary!! Fireflies flew around us and lit up the path with their light and there were bugs of all kinds EVERYWHERE.
After a great nights sleep thanks to our awesome mosquito nets, we then went out exploring Sandoval Lake which was a bit of hike to get to in the heat but once we arrived it was outstanding. Here we paddled in a canoe and saw the jungle at its best. There were monkeys swinging from the trees, bird life galore, turtles bathing in the sun, piranas jumping about and we were lucky enough to see six giant otters frolic in the waters and follow our
boat. We were keen to see some cayman (aligators) but it was too hot so we had to wait until later that night when we sailed down the river and spotted a few on the banks.
It was a brilliant day which ended with watching a spectacular electric storm sweep across the Amazon plains. The rain pelted down which was a lovely relief and the jungle seemed to come alive again but with a very different sound and vibe. You name it every animal was here and you couldn´t help but notice that the Amazon was so much bigger than us, we were simply the visitors.
I absolutely loved my time in the Amazon and I am tempted to visit it again from another country (perhaps Brazil) while I am here in South America. If you love animals and nature you simply have to get here.
Giss now also calls me Jane as I seemed to score my very own Tarzan. But that´s another story for another time...
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Perns
non-member comment
Wow Ames, the Amazon sounds outa this world and reading your blog makes me long to be there, very inspiring. You are clearly having the time of your life. Looking forward to seeing you back in Oz xoxo