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Saturday August 4
Again an early start to the day as we went in search of the Pink Dolphin. After a couple of abortive attempts we were finally successful.
Manuel had brought the fish that had jumped into the canoe last night as an enticement and there were a couple that took the bait.
Although the Dolphins are not actually pink they do appear to be pink when viewed under water. You'll have to check the videos later to see what I mean. I got some very good footage of them.
Then it was up one of the channels to see what we could find. Not much as it turns out. A few birds and lone monkey which kept us amused for awhile.
Then back for breakfast and a couple of more hours upstream for a hike in the jungle.
We stopped at a small village, one that we will visit tomorrow morning heading back to Manaus, to pick up a local guide. I knew we were in trouble when he arrived with a machete.
The hike took about an hour and a half, pretty much straight up and straight down. And I use the term straight figuratively because it was anything but straight.
To say there was a path would be an exaggeration, hence the need for the local guide. It was pretty much the cow path of least resistance. Because it was nearing noon it was hot even in the jungle. A good pair of hiking boots is a necessity because you're constantly stepping over and around trees and vines. Interesting to note the local guide wore flip flops.
We saw a lot of plants and vegetation, among them the first perfumes made from ant hills, the first anti-malarial, and something used in the treatment of asthma.
We learned about the water vine which can be a source of good clean water when you're in the jungle. It tasted very good and clean but I must admit that I'd probably die of thirst though because I really couldn't tell the difference between it and a multitude of similar looking vines.
Then back to the boat for lunch and on to a National Park. Lunch was quite extensive and I vowed that I would a little bit of everything which today meant Caiman Sausage.
Late afternoon it was off to explore the islands of the archipelago. It was primarily the "Bird Expedition". However birds make lousy models so I'll have to look at footage to see what I got. did get a spectacular sunset though.
When we set off it was pretty hot but once dusk set in it was very pleasant. Hats are certainly mandatory and I don't have the funniest one here. I was thinking that Neil Diamond must have written "Thank the Lord For The Nighttime" after an Amazon cruise. It was certainly what I was thinking.
Dinner at 7:30 and then off in the canoes for a last evening of hunting. It is evening when a lot of jungle comes to light.
The river at night is alive with sound. It's too bad no one has invented an quietly powered motor because it would be interesting to just record the night sounds. There is more activity than during daylight.
Hunting on this night was fruitful. We were out for two hours and managed to find several birds, a sloth, a tree boa and a baby black caiman. By the time I got back to the boat I was ready to hit the shower and the sack. Being a Great White Hunter is exhausting.
- comments
Gordon Bandola Good one Stan--sounds so exciting and primitive--really is an adventure and an education you could only get by being there. Sounds like something that even the Great White Hunter could not do alone.....Gordon