Its Thursday already and time is running out on this leg of the trip......... We started the day with the captain running the Manatee up on a sandbank so that they could change out the props that had got horribly bent from hitting submerged trees. It was an interesting feeling the purposefully run up on that sand and lovely to watch as a good many kids came peeking out of the jungle to see what was happening. There they stood in their crisp little uniforms, keeping their backpacks on their back and looking with huge eyes as this huge boat ran aground.. And then there must have been some silent signal as they all turned as one and ran back into the jungle - no doubt to school as the time was about right.
Today we were to have lunch at a communal house in the jungle, take a walk to see what we could see and also another swim..... And so we started with another fun run down the Napo river to the Panayacu River, or Piranha River. This was a much narrower little river and the motorised canoe could only just fit across it in most places... The reflections in this river were just stunning! The water was so still and the sunlight just perfect - so many photos are coming home with us. We saw monkeys, a sloth, many birds, some fish that skipped across the top of the water. There was a huge lizard lying on one of the small 'beaches' along the way, but he skuttled off as we came closer. And then we pulled up to the very small landing place where we were going to unload for lunch. This was a huge room up on stilts and with a roof and partial walls make of woven leaves. There was also mosquito netting all around as this is a well used place and best to keep the bugs out of the food. There was a part of this room partitioned off as the kitchen and after the guides and cooks unloaded everything, we were divided into two groups for the jungle walk. We got to go for a short ride in the canoe again and I was very happy - those reflections called me loudly. And then we started the walk which was just lovely. We saw lizards and birds, bugs and strange pink wine glass shaped mushroom type things and other really lovely orange patterned lichen. There was a big black spitting beetle on some of these and we all respectfully kept our distance while photographing him at the same time. There were beautiful flame like flowers and many odd little things to keep me clicking all the way.
There were Tarzan and Jane vines and a couple of people swung on them while giving the required whooop as they desperately hung on as they swung a short distance........ it looked like fun, but there is absolutely no ways that this could ever be a mode of transport through the jungle - its way too thick a mess of trees, shrubs and plants. But the idea is fun.
We saw a beautiful green lizard on a leaf and it sat and posed for us, only blinking once or twice in all the time we stood around admiring him. Then we were led through a really sucky mud puddle where the mud very nearly came to the top of our boots and we had to walk really carefully so as not to fall in the muck. As I started into this puddle, I heard the voice of the guy behind me, ahead of me! It did not totally click, but I had to let it go and concentrate on not getting my camera near that mud. And then the hand that was held out to help me out, was that guide and I knew we had just been conned! There was a path around the mud. It was an interesting experience and made us all laugh, but I am so glad I did not fall!
And then right as the walk was at its end, the guide who had been with the other group came back to show us that they had found a boa constrictor... oh joy! It was only about 3 foot long and curled up tightly behind a log - but not for long. Our guide found a long stick and gently picked it up so that we could all get a good look at him. And was he just beautiful! He sat perched at the end of that stick in full warning pose, threatening to strike out at anyone that came close. The designs on this snake were just lovely and clear - I will put a photo up soon.
Then lunch called and we headed that way to be met by a beautifully laid out table in this house on stilts.....even decorated with huge boquets all made from jungle leaves and flowers and the place mats were made from leaves cut into an oblong. The food was delicious once again, the company was great, the beer was cold and it was was perfect.
So with full stomachs and happy smiles we headed back to the canoe and Piranha River.... headed further up the river to Piranha Lake. And again those glorious reflections met us around every corner, stunning my camera finger into constant clicking..... until the rain started. We quickly closed the roof of the canoe and kept on going in a very heavy downpour. The driver of the canoe really had a rough time avoiding the branches almost everywhere and spent much of his time lifting the motors out of the water to avoid bent props on those engines as well. As we came to the lake, the rain let up a bit and we jumped into the water again! Oh it was lovely....... there were definitely more cold spots in this river, but it was all welcome after the hot and sweaty walk through the jungle earlier on.. We hung around there for a good while as some in the boat said the dolphins and fish were jumping all around..... This lake is called Piranha Lake for a reason, but that did not bug us. One person said they felt something nudge them, but never found out what it was..
And then the ride back to the Manatee started... It took quite a while and was a slow ride as we scooted slowly through the branches, watched more monkeys and birds and enjoyed those reflections again... I just could not get over how beautiful this little river was and could easily spend a lot more time messing around there. We finally got back out into the Napo River and the driver must have already been very tired. The sun was setting, casting a totally glorious pink all up and down the river and making it very difficult to see where the branches or sandbanks were. We connected with some branches a few times and ran aground a sandbank just once, but we all literally rocked the boat and we got off in no time at all.
We got back to the Manatee when it was pretty much dark - the sun always sets here at 6pm and rises at 6am, always. The lights on the Manatee threw beautiful reflections on the water that danced in the ripples she created as she moved along slowly, looking for the tie up place for the night. Just beautiful.
After supper, it was decided that there would be a short night walk - and I immediately signed up. I was exhausted by this time, but how could I miss a night walk in the jungle? Frank gave it a miss and it was a very small group of five that headed out with flashlights and raincoats. We saw some bugs, small frogs, a stick insect or two, leaf cutter ants as well as those really horrible Congo ants! The best for me was when all the flashlights were turned off and we listened to the noise of the jungle. That pitch black dark is totally incredible and I am not sure that I would enjoy it for very long at all. We did not stay out for long as it started raining again, it was late and we were all very tired.
And so another day ended with me falling into bed, totally happy, totally exhausted and with a huge smile on my face, in anticipation of the parrot licks and a night visit with the caymans scheduled for tomorrow.
Till then
love and light
Annie
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