Our last full day in the Upper Amazon. We started early with a quiet kayak ride along Rio Zapote. The home of tall trees and exotic wildlife.
Some of us opted for a skiff ride searching for birds and monkeys. Today we were very lucky to see a magnificent toucan and many monkeys jumping from one tree to the next. We had a blast watching—it seems like they sometimes miss the branch and sure enough every time they succeed in grabbing it to our surprise and amusement.
Back aboard for breakfast we prepared to visit a small village where they fish, gather fruits and spices for cooking, and provide for their families. We were welcome with many happy faces as children practiced a “high-five” and “hello.”
Back on board our expedition leader shared a last message of biodiversity, the unimaginable sense of majestic discovery, and yet there is so much still unknown to the locals, scientists, or us, visitors.
This place must be protected for Mother Nature has a vast treasure hidden among this green-emerald world. We feel very fortunate to share our last afternoon in this ecosystem and all its beauty. For the last time, we were part of the Amazon, part of the jungle where we re-learned to hear, to feel, to smell, and to see.
Far in a distance we saw huge white cumulus nimbus clouds embellished by a double rainbow that stayed with us for a while; a mirror image on the river was also very impressive. We were also surprise as Amazon barracudas leaped while hunting for a smaller pray of fish that also jumped rapidly in the hopeless attempt to escape.
Back aboard we saw two species of dolphins that seemed like they were saying goodbye to our adventure. A slideshow with all our pictures was presented and soon after we had a farewell dinner with our naturalists and hotel manager. Fun was also “a la Carte” for our crew is made of talented singers, musicians, and dancers who transmitted the joy of being here.
We are having a blast for tomorrow we will visit giant lilies and manatees for we will still have a late afternoon departure. Then it will be time to return to our world ready to share our experience in the Upper Peruvian Amazon—a worlds of macaws, trees, dolphins, sloths, fruits, and flavors, from insects, to snakes, rivers, water, landscapes and people; all this and much more is now an experience that will remain on our hearts for a lifetime.
