Sapuena Village and Supay
We awoke this morning to overcast skies and cool temperatures while tied along the bank near the village of Sapuena. An early morning skiff ride not only showcased the wildlife of the area, but the expansive crops that the local people were growing. As the water levels are dropping now, people have planted massive areas of rice on the newly exposed sandbars. This is a quality area for crops because for the last six months the rivers have been depositing rich Andean sediment. Also, nearby fields had yucca, bananas, beans, and watermelons.
After breakfast, we visited the village of Sapuena. It was a very eye-opening experience as we all learned from each other. School is on a break due to last weekend’s Independence Day, so many kids were out and playing. Some had built a small go kart and were pushing it around the “main street” that is the single sidewalk running the length of the village. We visited the school and the clinic, and learned about daily life. Adding to this back on board, we had a local cooking class and a presentation by Jesús, on local life along the rivers. All in all a very educational, photogenic, and exciting experience.
In the afternoon we continued upriver on the Ucayali River and explored the side river and lake known as Supay. Here, we again took to the skiffs, as well as deployed our set of kayaks for the first time on this trip. Paddling in the Amazon is a personal highlight for me, as one is able to go at his or her own speed and enjoy not only the sights but also the sounds of the forest.
As the sun was setting, some sort of insect hatch was occurring and the riverside was lined with birds. Four species of flycatcher all with yellow breasts numbered in the hundreds, feasting on the emerging insects. A few tanagers joined in as well, adding a splash of crimson to the mix. Add to this all the kingfishers, parakeets, and jacanas, and there were literally birds everywhere. As we made our way back to the Delfin II, gray river dolphins were feeding alongside the ship as a full moon rose down the river. Simply magical!
