Pacaya River and Magdalena River, 1/11/2019, Delfin II
Aboard the
Delfin II
Amazon
Today we decided to mix it up a bit. We still went out early in
the morning, but this time we took breakfast with us! Breakfast in the
rainforest surrounded by birds and monkeys is the perfect way to start the day.
We had more amazing wildlife sightings today and even got to swim in a lake and
have pink river dolphins swim within 10 yards of us.
Mike learned early on that the best way to escape Ohio was to become a marine biologist. During college at Wittenberg University he attended a semester at Duke University's Marine Lab — that time only confirmed his love for all things oceanic and ma...
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We woke up to the beautiful sound of parakeets and terns flying around the ship. Today we explored an area where a local shaman lives. Her name is Carola, and she helps about fifteen communities along the riverbank. We disembarked after breakfast to learn about the ceremonies she performs, as well as all the medicinal plants she uses to treat different illnesses in the riverbank communities. After learning from the local shaman, we went on a hike into the rainforest. The highlight of the morning hike was encountering a green anaconda basking in a small stream. After lunch, we went on a skiff ride along the Pucate River, and participated in the process of releasing baby yellow-spotted river turtles. We swam in one of the Amazon tributaries, with a cold beer in hand while we enjoyed a beautiful sunset.
After breakfast, we put on rubber boots to explore Casual Forest. This trail leads to an area with some snakes, frogs, and several species of plants native to the Upper Amazon in Peru. We encountered a red-tailed boa on the trail; this beautiful reptile was found among the dry leaves. We had the opportunity to buy some souvenirs from local residents of the area. The Amazon tributaries are increasing their water level at this time; there is about 47 feet of difference between the high- and low-water cycles in the Upper Amazon. In the afternoon we visited Nauta Cano, where we had the opportunity to kayak and paddleboard in the Amazon. After kayaking we enjoyed a skiff ride along Nauta Cano, where we spotted three different species of monkeys, three species of kingfishers — and at the end of the skiff ride we had a spectacular sunset.
The Amazon is wild and unpredictable, and it never ceases to amaze us. Man is miniscule among its giant green carpet, crossed by thousands of little creeks and tributaries. Together these feed the Ucayali and Maranon Rivers, thus forming this large and treacherous mass of running brown water which holds so much life: the Amazon River. In the morning, we explored Rio Zapote, an area rich with fish that is important for the local community’s economy. Amazing wildlife. In the afternoon we explored the Pacaya Samiria Reserve, a sanctuary of beauty and abundant wildlife. Pink and gray dolphins live here, together with dozens of species of birds of the land and water. At dusk, while looking for caimans, we spotted a jaguar — it was an incredible and exciting moment, one of those that happens once in a million times. What a fabulous day.
