A 5:30 a.m. wake-up call had us all very excited to explore a new area. Today we were headed to Marayali Creek, a small tributary set at the official start of the Amazon River. We had a quick celebratory photo of the skiffs at the head of the Amazon, before proceeding up creek. The morning was buzzing with wildlife, waking up to start another day in this beautiful part of the world. The creek is lined with reed grasses and we were lucky enough to get some great photos and sightings of great egrets. The egrets were quick to take flight, but that also presented us with an opportunity to catch them with a full wing span…..a great photography moment. We saw many other birds, such as the yellow-hooded blackbirds and the white-headed marsh tyrants. Before returning to the ship, we had one last amazing sighting of the great egrets in the early morning sun. This time, they stood still long enough for us to get some more great photos.
After a delicious buffet breakfast, we took some time to walk around a local community called San Francisco town. We were greeted by the local children as they helped steer our boats to shore. We walked up to the school and split into groups to visit the different classes in smaller, more manageable groups. After welcoming us, the kids took turns telling us their names, ages, and what they want to be when they grow up (from doctors, to lawyers, and all kinds of occupations). We presented the school with some much needed, and much appreciated supplies, which was a big hit with the kids and elders alike. Before a bit of shopping, we heard from the local chapter of the Lindblad and National Geographic supported non-profit organization, Minga Peru. From fish-farming to empowering local women and children, it was exciting and humbling to see what a difference our travel can make in the local communities. A sudden rainstorm interrupted our afternoon skiff ride, so we watched an incredible movie about the Amazon in the lounge area while sipping Pisco Sours. All in all, another incredible day in the Amazon!
