Atun Poza & the Pacaya River
We were beginning to settle into a bit of a routine here on our expedition in the Amazon basin of Peru, so today we decided to mix it up a bit. Sure, we still looked at monkeys, birds, one of the best sloths ever, and flowers. But, we added two fun and exciting things in order to further broaden our experience.
On our morning skiff ride, instead of returning for breakfast, we took breakfast with us. We dined at “Chez Gaston” with a lovely ambiance of parrots, macaws, and jacanas for the soundtrack. As we dined on a gourmet breakfast, a Black-fronted Nunbird perched nearby and a pygmy-owl ate a dragonfly. Nearby, a fuzzy Monk Saki sat up high, partially hidden in the foliage. Coffee and tea, white gloved waiters, and yummy muffins, this was a restaurant to return to!
In the afternoon, we went far up the Pacaya River arriving at a large blackwater lake. A bit of rain didn’t dampen our spirits, for we were here to swim! With the water being as warm as the air, we happily drifted with our floatation devices and cold beer. Pink dolphins swam around us and the air was filled with cormorants, egrets, and hawks. The nearby trees contained numerous groups of Howler Monkeys, climbing high in the late afternoon. If only every pool was so well stocked with wildlife!
Two activities, eating breakfast and swimming, that many of regularly do. Except today they were done in spectacular places with excellent wildlife. A touch of paradise for sure!
