(We made it to Cusco- Day 6, and have great internet, so I'm uploading photos- no time to write tonight but will update when I can)
This morning the howler monkeys slept in until 5. Angel had us up early for a hike and canoe trip combo and we had to get to the canoes before they were all taken. We found that an early start is better in any case, since by 11, the unbearable heat and humidity becomes even more unbearable. In front of the lodge before the hike, we saw a parrot in a tree gnawing on a brazil nut, one nut the the local agoutis will have to forego.
We also saw a flowering plant covered with Bullet ants. These are about an inch long and have a sting that feels like a bullet.
And this is what is trending this year in hiking outfits in the Amazon. Note the coral snake hiking stick.
Our first stop was at an observation tower with 184 steps. Molly was a bit reluctant, but Dave finally coaxed her almost to the top. The last 5 steps were a ladder that she refused to negotiate. but the view from this penultimate platform was still pretty amazing (we all went to the top). We were above the canopy and had a great view of scarlet and blue macaws and toucans. We now see why it was so hard to see them yesterday- they spend their time in their own lookout towers above the jungle canopy.
After we all made it down alive, we headed off to a small pond for a "birthday surprise " for Jeri. There were butterflies galore all along the trail.
Many off them were very friendly.
All over the jungle, there were these beautiful neon blue butterflies. I can't tell you how many pixels I wasted on attempts at a decent photo. This was the best I was able to do, but it does not do it justice. They are about 4 or 5 inches across, and can be seen even at great distances.
Finally reached the canoe launch, and lucky for us, we got here first so we got the best (of the worst) canoe. We questioned it's seaworthiness, and had we known about the pirañas, probably would have passed (but since I am writing this, you know we did not become fish food).
Along the shore, we saw several hoatzin or canje pheasant from the boat.
When we got to the opposite shore, Angel had Jeri close her eyes and walked her to her present. Unfortunately, we were unable to bring it home. It was a really cool 600 year old banyan tree. The tree supposedly will give one energy if you place both hands on it and concentrate, kind of like the Vulcan mind meld. I tried it without much success.
The hike back was uneventful with the exception of a line of leaf-cutter ants.
And some neat mushrooms.
When we arrived at the lodge, we want through the ritual of de-mudding our boots, changing into our house shoes, or in Dave and Molly's case, their Refugio Amazonas slippers.
After our lunch and siesta, we visited a working farm across the river from the Refugio. The farmer was a hermit, lived totally on his own completely off the grid.
At dinner tonight, the staff brought out a cake and sang happy birthday to Jeri. You know how much she loved THAT attention.
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