A Jungular Day in Amazonia

Yesterday, February 13, we had an amazing day in the Amazon rainforest. We arranged a tour with Patricio, of Native Jungle Tours, as recommended by our hotel. Patricio provided a very full itinerary from 9 until 5 for $40 each.
We were five in Patricio's van, including a German fellow named Hennig, and a young local guy, named Ivan, who is training to be a guide. First we went to the office to get rubber boots, then off to our first stop, a fish farm with mostly tilapia, but also these giant dragon fish. Each weighs about 80 kilos. When we tossed in bits of raw chicken, the fish response was like an explosion.

A bit further on, we started our rainforest hike. We walked for about an hour to a waterfall, with Patricio explaining the uses of many plants along the way.

A termite nest:

Check out these leaf cutter ants:

Patricio explained how this tree (table tree) can be very useful if you're lost. He banged on the tree with a rock and the sound was amplified to an incredible volume. If no one came to help, you could create a shelter to survive a night in the jungle.

We were very hot and sweaty when we arrived at the waterfall. Much to my surprise, I was the only one to go for a swim. It felt so good! Richard has photos of that, but he is having technical difficulties sending them to me.

We returned back along the same path, and then went to a comedor for a tasty lunch. There was a perfectly timed torrential downpour while we were under the thatched roof. Not a drop of water came through. Patricio says that kind of roof can last 5 to 10 years.

After lunch we visited a small indigenous village to learn a bit about their culture. They shared their drumming and dancing, as well as a fermented drink. A beautiful young girl also decorated our faces. There was a monkey fooling around the whole time we were there, doing somersaults and lots of funny tricks. There was also a huge parrot and a parakeet, who are like pets.

Then came the most exciting part. We went a few kilometers down the Puyo River in a long dugout canoe. While our canoe was being carried to the river, I was watching these young guys paddling up and downstream.

I was concerned when I realized it was just the three paying customers in the canoe, with an older fellow to paddle us. I kept telling myself that he must know the river very well, and be very skillful.

There were lots of swifts and a few rapids, class 1 and 2, with lots of boulders. Our canoe guide negotiated them very well, but I was rather nervous. When we got out, we were given a shot of powerful local hooch called chuchuhuaso. This little monkey took a liking to me.

Our final stop was at a place with caves. You enter one mouth and walk through a completely black narrow tunnel for about 100 metres to pop out of another mouth. I was surprised that I didn't feel claustrophobic. I didn't even panic when Richard, who was in front, said that he'd reached a solid wall. We turned around to go back, but then Richard felt a bit of air coming from the right. Sure enough, there was a sharp turn, and then we popped out.

Then I went on this swing with a very long rope. I loved it! Here is Hennig on the swing.

We hiked up the hill above the caves to a lookout over the rainforest and rivers. If it had been clear we would also have seen three volcanoes in the distance. There was another swing up there, but there's no way I would do that. No one did. The hammocks were much more inviting.