Pacaya River
We awoke to a cloudy morning at the mouth of the Pacaya River. This large river, which is a black water river because it is loaded with tannins from the forest plants, is one of the main ones in the Reserve. As we passed near the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve Ranger Station # 1 we saw large flocks of parrots and Neotropic cormorants passing overhead on their way from their roosting areas to their feeding grounds. After a while we arrived to a lake filled with floating meadows, or large grass and plant mats that are not rooted and float around that carry an unexpected wide variety of plants and animals that included colorful little frogs and a vine snake. To our great delight we found many blooming Giant Victorian Water Lilies (Victoria regia) as well. There were also numerous horned screamers (Anhima cornuta), which is a relatively large goose-like bird who brawls like a donkey.
Our goal this morning was to reach a calm area to have our breakfast on the skiffs! It was not just peanut butter and jam sandwiches — we had a complete set with ceramic plates, cloth napkins, and with white gloves we were served by our drivers and dining staff: Amazonian juices, coffee and a splendid meal of many different exotic delicacies like sweet potato and cassava breads and almond cookies. We had the company of the rain forest sounds under the shade of a couple of trees that attracted butterflies and birds. After breakfast we made a quick restroom stop in an area that is still not flooded and continued to explore a little more. Our rewards were great for we observed Blue and Yellow Macaws, Three toed Sloths, Squirrel monkeys and a family of the largest monkey species in South America, the Red Howler monkeys.
After this productive morning the clouds cleared and it became quite hot so we returned to the boat where our chef taught us how to prepare a local dish known as “Juane.” Several guests helped to prepare this delicious meal with their own hands. This meal is a very complete one, it consists on a big ball of rice, chicken, and olives all wrapped up in a local Amazon leaves and then boiled in hot water. During lunchtime we had some of the “Juane” we prepared as a side dish to our main course.
In the afternoon we came back to the Pacaya River, but this time we went even father that in the morning ending up in a black water ox bow lake called Yanayacu Lake (black water lake). It was quite hot so we donned our bathing suits and went in the water for refreshing swim! All around us in the water were pink river dolphins fishing or just passing by at a distance. It was certainly a special time to float in the middle of the Amazon surrounded by the greenery.
As we returned to the ship, we felt happy to have seen and experienced the full spectrum of life and joy that inhabits a day in the Amazon.
