Week 11: The Peruvian Amazon (posted by Eliza)

We spent four days in the Peruvian Amazon! It was crazy. I couldn't believe that this was the same country that Cusco is in. Just a few days before, we were freezing on the Lares Trek. Now were sweaty, hot, and covered in bug bites. 

We first flew into Puerto Maldonado, which is close to Bolivia. Then, we had to drive two hours and be on a boat for about one more hour. The name of the river is Tambopata.

There was a lodge that felt like family camp with cabins, good meals, and lots of activities. Our guide was named Julio. He grew up in the rainforest and he knew a lot of things about nature -- like if you get a twig, and shake it in a hole, a tarantula will come out and eat you. That was cool. It was like pulling a rabbit out of a hat. When we went kayaking, Julio also knew where the stingrays were.

Julio took us on lots of walks around the forest and on a birdwatching expedition, plus a nighttime boat trip to look at caymans (these are like an alligator in the Amazon). My favorite part was seeing the colorful macaws and pecans eating their sodium for the day on the clay embankment. 

Tied for the best part of going to the Amazon rain forest was making new friends. Also at the lodge were two families. One was from Spain, and they had a twelve-year old son who was over six feet tall. He and I played chess, but he beat me.

Second, was a really nice family from Britain. They had five kids - it was chaotic but so much fun. Their kids were 11, 9, 7, and two five-year old twins. We did lots together. We played a lot of pool with our hands (I wouldn't trust a five-year old with a long stick), we went swimming together, and we played a lot of card games including "Monopoly Deal" and Quixx. We also did the zip-line. 

It was so much fun! I really hope that I see my new friends again.