This is our last full day in the heart of the Upper Amazon! We have been able to explore quite a bit during this expedition, because the weather has been great throughout the week. We have had little to no rain, which is really sheer luck, considering that we are in the rain forest!
In the early morning, before breakfast, we explored a little creek that is accessible only during high water season. This is the magnificent Iricahua Creek, which offers the best you can get in terms of colorful song birds combined with a blooming and fruiting trees.
Later in the morning, we headed to Flor de Castaña Flooded forest for more exploration. There is a beautiful black water lagoon located here, which has warm waters and is a great place for swimming—the unforgettable Amazon Plunge! Here at Flor de Castaña, the forest has reached its end, and it is white and dead. Dead trees in this region happen to be in great demand, because there are many types of birds that nest in the holes of these trees, including wood peckers and a large number of parrots. Besides providing nesting opportunities, some birds feed off of the plentiful populations of termites that make their homes in the dead trees. For some organisms, a dead tree is exactly where life begins.
In the late afternoon, we had the opportunity to visit a small village, where we were greeted by many cute little children. This place is called Puerto Miguel, and there is a nice artisan market with beautiful handicrafts made by the women of the village. We bought some beautiful souvenirs to take back home. A few minutes away from the village, there is a small island inhabited by different types monkeys. It is always a delight to see them, as they are always ready to put on a show!
What a beautiful week in the Upper Amazon! Although our journey is over, our guests will be taking home many wonderful memories, which will surely last a lifetime.
