Last Updated on June 24, 2019 by PowersToTravel
The next morning on the Cattleya we were treated to more lovely food for breakfast, then taken on the speedboat to a location from which we could hike and see the nature. This time I made sure to fully pack the backpack. On each outing, the medic, Demo, would join us. A native of the area, he had training in snakebite and similar health issues. He would carry a huge backpack of water for us, some Gatoraid for me (how thoughtful) and woven fans for each of us. This meant we didn’t have to pack our own water bottles and weigh ourselves down.
This morning we hiked on solid ground and saw more of the insect and reptile life. All of my insect nightmares were coming true: we saw bullet ants that could kill you, termites that looked terrifying but were harmless, leaf-eating ants, a boa constrictor, a tarantula (I wondered if he was actually a pet or captured, and would be trotted out for each tourist party?) Nonetheless he was terrifying and I did not need to get close, with my zoom lens. Our local guide even caught a bat as well. As unappealing as this list sounds, the experience was actually entertaining and pleasant.
During our walk we heard a strange zooming noise. Was that a strange insect? No, it was W.S. with his hand-held, battery-operated fan. He was so embarrassed, “At home it didn’t sound so loud.” At home he also didn’t have Demo with his selection of huge woven fans.
The walk was long enough, without being exhausting. The path was wide enough to ensure that we didn’t accidently get into any bug life unexpectedly. We crossed a rope bridge. It ended at a huge ceiba tree, and then we returned.
Upon our return to the river bank, we found the villagers had set out their wares for sale on long tables by our boat: woven fans and baskets, carved wooden bowls and colored reed figures. The colors and textures were so appealing, as well as interesting. Perhaps I’ve seen it all before in a fair-trade store in a mall or plaza, but seeing the women themselves, with their small children, and their products, at the side of the Amazon, was striking.
None of the other tourists stopped to shop. They just walked right by, as if local life was an intrusion. How they didn’t value the moment, I don’t know. We stopped and bought a carved wooden cutting board. I had no doubt where our money was going, on this purchase. We don’t use the board, at home. It is propped against the side of the counter, and each time I see it, I see the Amazon, the women and the tarantula.
We were taken by our motorboat back to our Cattleya, for another Amazonian lunch: catfish in a banana leave, with fresh fries, and a siesta.
At 4pm we were once again whisked out on the motorboat for another dusk river trip. My notes say that we saw squirrel monkeys in the trees, but I have no pictures, so I’m sure they were very difficult to see in the dusk.
On our return I threw up off the side of the boat. Well, that was a fine ending to the day. I have learned that I cannot trust the water, even when they assure me it is “filtered.” Filtered? I don’t understand. How does filtering remove bacteria? I had drunk the water served at the table and used it to brush my teeth as well. No one else was sick. This is not the first time, but I’m going to make sure it is the last time. Bottled water, with a lid that you can feel as it tears off, is the only way to go for me.
Greg had cerviche, chicken tagine, and ice cream on fruit for dinner. I had toast and bottled water.
Check out this article of mine too:
Peru Travel Blog – Itinerary, Reviews and Diabetic Travel Tips
