Thursday, October 24, 2019
Off to the canopy today
A 5 am start so I will update every one when we get back. A couple from Italy with little English has joined us.
I am updating my early post. We headed out downriver on the Amazon to the Napo river which is a main contibutary. Our boat ride this morning is 1 3/4 hours. We arrive at a sister lodge called Napo Lodge. It is rustic compared to where we are staying. Rooms at the lodge are open at the ceiling so bugs can fly in, no toilets in room a pit toilet for the group use. A bag dining room with bar. Internet is slow. There is no electricity so all devices are charged in the dining room area. I am glad we are where we are. Meals are the same buffet style
Our walk begins after breakfast. It is a 1 hour hike to the canopy towers and bridges. We do stop along the way to look at plants and animals. Or more than likely for me to catch up. We have a different guide today. His English is not as good as Orlando. He also doesn’t know as many plants. He is a quick walker so I am always trying to catch up.
We get to the canopy tower and the first platform is about 2 flights up. Back to climbing. There are 14 platforms and they are connected with a swinging suspension bridge that is actually a 2x 8 inch plank of wood on top is a ladder. There are nets sides to the walkway. I will post some photos. Sometimes when you get to the next platform you have to climb some stairs before you can walk across the bridge.
The highest point is 115 feet up and you are looking down on the trees and jungle. After completing the canopy walk we hike back to the lodge for lunch then another short hike to the bio ethnic garden and learn about medicinal plants from the Shaman. It was very interesting and amazing what the indigenous people are able to treat. Dan states he would love to come back and jut do a day in the garden.
On the way back we stopped by a small town and was able to take a motokarts ride to the other side of the village then we get to go back to our lodge. Time for a swim, shower and a trip to the bar before dinner
Time for a lodge update. In spite of the middle of nowhere Amazon. A glass of wine is $7-$8 and a drink is about $6-$8. There is no happy hour or snacks. A little steep. But at least a drinkable wine. In the prior resort there was no wine😩
I am updating my early post. We headed out downriver on the Amazon to the Napo river which is a main contibutary. Our boat ride this morning is 1 3/4 hours. We arrive at a sister lodge called Napo Lodge. It is rustic compared to where we are staying. Rooms at the lodge are open at the ceiling so bugs can fly in, no toilets in room a pit toilet for the group use. A bag dining room with bar. Internet is slow. There is no electricity so all devices are charged in the dining room area. I am glad we are where we are. Meals are the same buffet style
Our walk begins after breakfast. It is a 1 hour hike to the canopy towers and bridges. We do stop along the way to look at plants and animals. Or more than likely for me to catch up. We have a different guide today. His English is not as good as Orlando. He also doesn’t know as many plants. He is a quick walker so I am always trying to catch up.
We get to the canopy tower and the first platform is about 2 flights up. Back to climbing. There are 14 platforms and they are connected with a swinging suspension bridge that is actually a 2x 8 inch plank of wood on top is a ladder. There are nets sides to the walkway. I will post some photos. Sometimes when you get to the next platform you have to climb some stairs before you can walk across the bridge.
The highest point is 115 feet up and you are looking down on the trees and jungle. After completing the canopy walk we hike back to the lodge for lunch then another short hike to the bio ethnic garden and learn about medicinal plants from the Shaman. It was very interesting and amazing what the indigenous people are able to treat. Dan states he would love to come back and jut do a day in the garden.
On the way back we stopped by a small town and was able to take a motokarts ride to the other side of the village then we get to go back to our lodge. Time for a swim, shower and a trip to the bar before dinner
Time for a lodge update. In spite of the middle of nowhere Amazon. A glass of wine is $7-$8 and a drink is about $6-$8. There is no happy hour or snacks. A little steep. But at least a drinkable wine. In the prior resort there was no wine😩
Wednesday, October 23, 2019
6th Grade Camp
I have figured out the 4 days we are spending at the lodge is similar to camp. We get to sleep in cabins. No telephone or TV which is fine. The upside is there is a bathroom in the cabin and air conditioning. The program is run like camp and every one in your group does the same thing.
The facilities are good, comfortable chairs, food is cafeteria type and at both dinner and breakfast on the cool side. This resort seems to cater to US citizens although today 2 other groups came in and I think they are both speaking Spanish. Guests line up for meals. Sounds like camp right.
No entertainment or lectures but our guide so far has been amazing. He has worked for the company for 32 years went to the university to study biology and has great English and his knowledge of the Amazon flora and fauna is terrific. So now some facts. Currently the Amazon at this lodge is 2300 miles to the Atlantic, The River is 2 miles wide and currently about 25 feet deep. During flood season it is able to rise to 60 feet deep. The river also has several islands present and these islands have the ability to grow or actually erode away with time based upon current conditions. There are several areas that the the river has created then become overwhelmed with debris setting off an ecological process of creating methane gas from debris decomposing and turning the water heavier and actually black.
Today’s activities will include a boat ride to fish for piranha and search for pink dolphins or fresh water dolphins that live in the Amazon, back for lunch and a little rest then to the local village to learn how the local people use blow guns for hunting. Back for a swim and then a night hike to look for caiman (those are crocodile) as we know them but much larger. Tomorrow an all day tour to the canopy and more learning about the rainforest
The facilities are good, comfortable chairs, food is cafeteria type and at both dinner and breakfast on the cool side. This resort seems to cater to US citizens although today 2 other groups came in and I think they are both speaking Spanish. Guests line up for meals. Sounds like camp right.
No entertainment or lectures but our guide so far has been amazing. He has worked for the company for 32 years went to the university to study biology and has great English and his knowledge of the Amazon flora and fauna is terrific. So now some facts. Currently the Amazon at this lodge is 2300 miles to the Atlantic, The River is 2 miles wide and currently about 25 feet deep. During flood season it is able to rise to 60 feet deep. The river also has several islands present and these islands have the ability to grow or actually erode away with time based upon current conditions. There are several areas that the the river has created then become overwhelmed with debris setting off an ecological process of creating methane gas from debris decomposing and turning the water heavier and actually black.
Today’s activities will include a boat ride to fish for piranha and search for pink dolphins or fresh water dolphins that live in the Amazon, back for lunch and a little rest then to the local village to learn how the local people use blow guns for hunting. Back for a swim and then a night hike to look for caiman (those are crocodile) as we know them but much larger. Tomorrow an all day tour to the canopy and more learning about the rainforest
Tuesday, October 22, 2019
Ode of Deet
Well the internet is so slow that there is no ways photos will upload or download or whatever they do. So I will entertain you with some of my thoughts. When packing for any trip I always pack my curlers. My hair is so straight I have to do something. I was advised by a friend just forget it and put it in a ponytail. Well I packed them anyway. Our first days after the hike I was drenched with sweat any curl was long gone. The humidity here and the heat makes any hair plan a joke. So I guess she was right afterall.
We brought insect repellent because the first part of this trip we are in the jungle and there is malaria present. We smell of insect repellent and refresh the scent several times a day. Now the caveat, when we landed in Iquitos and checked into the doubletree hotel that was truly up scale I didn’t spray. We weren’t going outside until the next day. Lo and behold I woke up with no fewer than 6 bites. They are driving me crazy. We have stepped up using the bug spray I will be glad to get to Lima, Cusco and Machu Picchu. Don’t know if I will get the smell out of my skin or clothes
We brought insect repellent because the first part of this trip we are in the jungle and there is malaria present. We smell of insect repellent and refresh the scent several times a day. Now the caveat, when we landed in Iquitos and checked into the doubletree hotel that was truly up scale I didn’t spray. We weren’t going outside until the next day. Lo and behold I woke up with no fewer than 6 bites. They are driving me crazy. We have stepped up using the bug spray I will be glad to get to Lima, Cusco and Machu Picchu. Don’t know if I will get the smell out of my skin or clothes
6 minutes of concern
Today we head into the Amazon but decided since we have over 90 minutes until we are met we would go for a walk. The hotel is 2 blocks from the river and it looks like a craft market is nearby. Off we go. The first thing we notice is there is a plethora of security and police that walk the streets It is a good thing it helps to cross the streets with all the motokarts. So why 6 minutes of concern. 3/4 of the way back to the hotel Dan feels his front pocket and says his wallet is missing. Deja vu.
We get back to the hotel and I suggest start a systemic look. Went through all of today’s pants pockets and then yesterday’s pants. It is easy when you only have 2 pair. Rearranged a few things in the suitcase. I suggested look in backpack. Of course Dan says I never put it there. Well in the 4th pocket after removing everything from the other 3 there on top is the wallet. It was a crazy 6 minutes and I was ready to call the bank and credit card company but all is good.
We check out and wait the 30 minutes for the shuttle. A nice big van and a guide that speaks great English. We get all the paperwork completed and head to the boat. It will be a 50 min ride up into the Amazon and the lodge. This lodge comes with a pool, bar and air conditioning. Unfortunately internet is only available in the main reception area.
First impressions the river is amazingly wide. I guess I really wasn’t expecting that. I want to say it is 4-5 times wider than the Seine in France. Lots of debris in the water, old logs some plants and of course some boat traffic not a lot and the traffic is usually small boats. Box lunch on board and we arrive at the lodge
First impression is it is amazingly well kept lots of cottages scattered about and a main building that has reception a gift shop dining hall and a living room area. We are told dining times and the plan is to meet for a hike in 30 minutes. So off to our cabin and unpack clothes. We are only going to be here for 3 nights so I didn’t pack too much.
We are off with Orlando who will be our guide for 2 days. The light walk around the grounds takes 90 minutes. Up and down steps through the underbrush slipping in mud. At the end I ask myself what have I gotten myself into and how am I going to last another 3 days. After the hike we go to the pool. There is a group with a tour out of Salt Lake. 30 people and even a lady from Oceanside and her daughter. They have been in Peru for 10 days or so and will head back tomorrow.
The lodge runs a 3,4 or 5 day trip. It is a fixed program and they just start your group when you make the reservation. There is one other person in our group and she is traveling alone from the UK and is an accountant. Looks to be mid 30’s or so. Dinner will be buffet and supposedly the food is okay
I will try and post some photos but since the internet is not the fastest we shall see
We get back to the hotel and I suggest start a systemic look. Went through all of today’s pants pockets and then yesterday’s pants. It is easy when you only have 2 pair. Rearranged a few things in the suitcase. I suggested look in backpack. Of course Dan says I never put it there. Well in the 4th pocket after removing everything from the other 3 there on top is the wallet. It was a crazy 6 minutes and I was ready to call the bank and credit card company but all is good.
We check out and wait the 30 minutes for the shuttle. A nice big van and a guide that speaks great English. We get all the paperwork completed and head to the boat. It will be a 50 min ride up into the Amazon and the lodge. This lodge comes with a pool, bar and air conditioning. Unfortunately internet is only available in the main reception area.
First impressions the river is amazingly wide. I guess I really wasn’t expecting that. I want to say it is 4-5 times wider than the Seine in France. Lots of debris in the water, old logs some plants and of course some boat traffic not a lot and the traffic is usually small boats. Box lunch on board and we arrive at the lodge
First impression is it is amazingly well kept lots of cottages scattered about and a main building that has reception a gift shop dining hall and a living room area. We are told dining times and the plan is to meet for a hike in 30 minutes. So off to our cabin and unpack clothes. We are only going to be here for 3 nights so I didn’t pack too much.
We are off with Orlando who will be our guide for 2 days. The light walk around the grounds takes 90 minutes. Up and down steps through the underbrush slipping in mud. At the end I ask myself what have I gotten myself into and how am I going to last another 3 days. After the hike we go to the pool. There is a group with a tour out of Salt Lake. 30 people and even a lady from Oceanside and her daughter. They have been in Peru for 10 days or so and will head back tomorrow.
The lodge runs a 3,4 or 5 day trip. It is a fixed program and they just start your group when you make the reservation. There is one other person in our group and she is traveling alone from the UK and is an accountant. Looks to be mid 30’s or so. Dinner will be buffet and supposedly the food is okay
I will try and post some photos but since the internet is not the fastest we shall see
Monday, October 21, 2019
Photos from Dan’s camera
This is the river behind the dining room at the resort after the overnight rain
If you want to make a phone call just have the appropriate coins
This is the nursery sign
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