Pacaya River & Zapote Caño
We awoke to a foggy morning still navigating our way to the Pacaya River. This large river is one of the main ones in the Reserve. After breakfast as soon as we went into the river, via one of the entrances to the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, we saw large several large flocks of wood storks passing over head on their way from their roosting areas to their feeding grounds. Neotropic cormorants were everywhere as well. There were also numerous horned screamers (Anhima cornuta). The latter is a relatively large goose-like bird who brawls noisily like a donkey.
Despite of the heat of the day our rewards were great, for we observed Blue and Yellow Macaws, Three toed Sloths, Squirrel monkeys and a family of the largest monkey species in South America, the Red Howler monkeys. A full skiff of swimmers arrived to a black water ox bow lake called Yanayacu Lake (black water lake). It was quite hot so we donned our bathing suits and went in the water for a refreshing swim! All around us in the water, at the distance, were pink river dolphins fishing or just passing by. It was certainly a special time to float in the middle of the Amazon surrounded by the greenery.
After lunch we had an interesting presentation on board the Delfin II: naturalist Adonai Rodriguez told us about the various groups of humans that live in this side of the Amazon. He explained about the lifestyles and customs of those who lived in villages that have assimilated to the Spanish way of life and Catholicism, and the groups that maintain a more traditional way of life and are hence considered natives. He also spoke of the aboriginals who have scarcely even been contacted by the modern world. We enjoyed his insights and explanations, especially when Adonai taught us how to use the blowgun.
Late in the afternoon we visited “Zapote Caño.” This remote location was explored by skiffs. At the end of the skiff ride, that was filled with great animal sightings, we stopped briefly in an improvised little market to admire and buy some of their handicrafts before coming back to the ship.
At sunset, our cheerful barmen, German and Christian, gave us a pisco sour demonstration and then we had fun making and drinking our own piscos. After dinner we watched an extraordinary nature documentary entitled “Rivers of the Sun” that gave us a better understanding of the complexity and changes during the wet and dry seasons in the Amazon.
At the end of the day, we were happy to have seen and experienced the full spectrum of life and joy that is found on any given day in the Amazon.
