Amazon River and Machu Picchu, Peru with the Thai girlfriend

[S Landreth]

The Amazon

First I’ll share the softer side of the Amazon, before I move to my last post where I’ll post about the animals/fish/insects that will eat/bite you.

Each day while out on the Aqua Amazon the three guides would take the guests; by skiff, on two different excursions (morning and afternoon). I am going to show everyone some pictures with; at times, a short description. I am not going to remember the name of every animal/bird/fish I saw.

One of three skiffs that would take us out. Each skiff would carry no more than eight guests and one would carry a paramedic who was with us at all times.

One of the first trips we took was to a local village so we could visit with villagers. The company that operates Aqua Amazon/Aria Amazon would send a rep to help these communities (part of their effort to help and give back) we would visit (provide aide/assistant). We (most all the guests) would also bring something simple for the kids.

The Aqua Amazon would switch to different villages up and down the Amazon. The kids were great and happy to see us. I think it broke their day up a bit with something unusual (us). It would also give the villagers a chance to sell their wares.

One of the guests on our boat was a pediatrician and she told us that the tint in the hair of most of the children was caused from the lack of iron in their diet. The guide did confirm her observation.

Gray (they are tiny) and Pink Dolphin

Birds,……

The bird below has been given a nickname by the Peruvians. They call it the Texas Bird. If you look at its neck you’ll see a red ring around it. They know

Bats,….

Giant lily pads,….

Yes, I did go swimming with red belly piranhas.

Young Sloth,…..

Our guides. All three of these guys grew up along the river.

The views were always changing as the river does and each night we were lucky enough to witness sunsets as the one below.

[S Landreth]

Visiting the Amazon was a wonderful adventure and I would suggest everyone go see it, if given the opportunity. If you are able to visit try to get an educated Peruvian guide to help you. You might learn a little more and no doubt you will be safer.

Now for the Amazon creatures that might harm you.

During one of our first outings the guides took us for a two hour walk in the forest. We only walked about a quarter mile with the help of a local guide (besides our Aqua Amazon guides) and ran into many unique creatures.

Pretty but deadly,…

Another tarantula,….

This one jump into our boat while traveling. Locals call it the amazon barracuda.

Young caiman

Some animals not as dangerous but shy for the most part. Please forgive some of the blurred pictures,…

Everyone’s favorite meal (snakes and caiman) the capybara,..

Catching the anaconda below. There were two attempts (two different snakes). The first; at a different location, failed.

Our guides have done this time and time again and know where to stop and look for anacondas along the banks of the amazon. They will look for tree branch debris piled up and will usually find some anaconda resting or waiting.

The first stop we made was a debris pile about three feet thick. Under it was an anaconda about twelve feet in length. All three guides jumped from their boats and tried to expose the snake by opening a hole on top of the debris. Our guide asked me to get him the oar from the boat. I gave it to him and he moved the pile a bit and then up comes a Fer-de-lance snake. All the guys jumped back and this snake took off after our guide following him Up On our boat. Seriously,………this snake was angry and aggressive. I’ve never seen anything like it before. Luckily our guide took the oar he had and swatted off the boat we were on.

The Fer-de-lance after being swatted off the boat and into the water,…..

They went back to the pile and by this time with all the commotion the anaconda woke and started for the water.

The next stop and how the guides caught the anaconda is below in the video. No, I didn’t go to touch him. I was happy with the picture.

Red belly Piranha fishing

The boat stopped next to a picturesque spot along the bank and poles (just branches with a line about six feet long) were given to us all who wanted to fish.

No more than five drips of blood were placed in the water next to the boat from the zip-lock baggy containing the bait.

Within five seconds of dropping my line in the water (with bait on the hook) I had a hit. My first catch,….

Don’t laugh

Everyone was pulling piranhas out of the water left and right. The guides on the boat were keeping the larger ones and tossing the smaller ones back in. I couldn’t believe how easy it was to attract the fish to the area with just five drips and how much easier it was to catch them.

One place we missed while in Peru that others seemed to enjoy was Lake Titicaca. I don’t think we’ll visit it any time soon but you might consider it if you’re going to visit the country. If you are thinking about visiting, don’t miss Machu Picchu and the Amazon River.

I want to thank everyone who stopped by and either left a positive comment or showed me some appreciation.

[terry57]

If my Super Fund ever starts making money again I may just go check that joint out.

Bloody awesome adventure there my friend. Well done