Last Updated on June 24, 2019 by PowersToTravel
The next morning at the Treehouse Lodge I once again waited for the troop of squirrel monkeys. They had arrived the first morning, but did not show for the second, and this would be our last opportunity to see them again. Sadly, no monkeys, but suddenly we heard the sway of the bridge and wildlife of a different sort: a gaggle of senior tourists were at our door.
How interesting. They were from a small boat tour, similar to our Cattleya, and were visiting our lodge for breakfast and a tour. We had packed and our place looked decent so I graciously invited them in to see our little nest. They were quite interested, and also quite happy to be staying in their cabin on the boat when I told the there was no air-conditioning, a fact that was obvious. I told them they weren’t missing out on much.
The end of our Amazon River Adventure
For us, that is. After breakfast a speedboat picked us up and delivered us back to Nauta, a town now familiar and attractive to us. We waited an extraordinarily long time for the van which was to take us back to Iquitos for our flight. It was a good thing that we had plenty of time.
We felt as if so much of that Treehouse adventure was a a repeat of what we had experienced on the Cattleya. However, with the Cattleya the experience included a better guide, much better food, more comfortable sleeping, and also a shower that worked at all times.
Upon our return, I wrote to our agent at Rainforest Cruises saying that I felt the combining of the two adventures, the ship and the tree house, was somewhat inappropriate, that one adventure was really sufficient, and selecting the two made the tree house less appealing. If we had perhaps not gone on the Cattleya we might have enjoyed the Treehouse more, that is, after they turned on the electricity.
Lack of management and organization, a night without a fan, late food, a door to the dining area that no one bothered to close to keep out the bugs, and a lack of cold drinks combined to give us that Motel-6 sort of feeling. I have also seen many very good reviews for the Treehouse; I wouldn’t have chosen to go there if the reviews had not been good. I can only think that visiting it between owners was just simply very bad timing for us.
As I write and read this, I am remembering the small and unique experiences at the Treehouse and feel much happier about the experience.
My top three Amazon experiences? The amazing mud cliffs and boats along the huge Amazon, the morning attack of the squirrel monkeys, and shopping for home decor at Jose’s mother’s house.
The huge Amazon River itself was my number one attraction. It is true that for wildlife one should go to Costa Rica. But to experience the river that drives our planet, you have to go to the Amazon.
I would be very happy to return to see it in its high-water season, just give us a fan!
Check out this article of mine too:
Peru Travel Blog – Itinerary, Reviews and Diabetic Travel Tips
