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Hi All,
Ive always wanted to say that Ive been to the Amazon rainforest and as we didn�t get the change to go in Brazil, Peru presented us with the perfect opertunty. As you all should know, the Amazon is the largest rainforest/jungle in the world and it covers Peru, Columbia, Bolivia and a few other countries as well as Brazil. Even though Lee wasnt that keen on the idea (creepy crawlies, snakes, pumas etc) she bit her cheek, said nothing and braved it! So the first day of the 8 day jungle trek to Manu was the first of many early starts. We set off at 5.30am to start an 8 hour bus ride into a cloud forest were we stopped for the night at a logde. The lodge was nice as it had warm(ish) showers, electricty between 6pm & 9pm and it was close to a waterfall which you could hear as you drifted off to sleep. We woke up at 5.30am and had to be ready for 7.00am so we could jump on mountain bikes and cycle 20km down a really rough and rock road. The plus side was that as we were on bikes, we made less noise and was lots of birds, monkeys and even a snake! After an arse numbing and tiring ride of about 3 hours we made it to a small town we could relax and buy drinks. We only just managed to down our beers (it was only 10.00am!) when we were called to change into our swimming clothes and help carry a large and heavy raft so we could �white water� our way to the boat station. Our group for the first 3 days consisted of 6 Israelis and a mongrel mix of the rest of the world. We had 2 rafts, the Israelis in one and the rest in the other. Obviously an all out war broke loose and we were all attacking each others raft by splashing (deadly!), boarding each others ship, and flying rugby tackles. If it wasn�t for the rapids claiming a member of our crew (they had to swim the last 50 meters, as did 2 Israelis) we would of made the boat station intact!
Now before we go futher, we�ve always been warned to avoid tours with groups of Israelis in as they are rude, loud and pig headed. To set the record stright, that�s s***e and all of the 6 guys we travelled with for the rest of the 8 days were some of the nicest people we have met and all have an open invitation to come stay with us in Blighty! Splendid!
So we arrived at the boat station with was on the outskirts of a small village. From here on, all our travel was to be done by river boat as the road to the village was the last one. We loaded the boat with all our gear and off we set to the second lodge called Erika (google it, beautiful place). It took about 1 hour before we got there and we were all shocked as it was so nice. The place was right on the riverside, there were swings seats over looking the water, a mini footie pitch and me and Lee managed to grab the only double bed! After dinner and tea we all stayed up for a bit playing Yaniv (an addictive Isreali card game)and then hit the sack as we had another easrly morning. We woke up again at around 5.30am and got ready for 6.00am to go flying through the jungle canopy via 40 meter high zip lines. This was so cool as the sun had just rose, birds were flying all over and we were racing through the sky on 4 of these lines. It was Lee�s favourite bit of the tour. After the canopy we had brekkie and got back on the river boat for a 6 hour ride down stream to make our way to the reserved part of the jungle were you need a permit to visit. It may sould boring being on a boat for so long but it was the best time to see the animals, especially as it is dry season and they come to the banks to feed and drink. In the 6 hours to the next logde we saw turtles, many beautiful birds, capibara and caiman. Halfway through the journey we stopped off at a remote village in the middle of the jungle to refuel, buy supplies and play football against the locals. It was the Israeli boys (Avner, Or and David), me and our guide Joze (the best guide in the world) vs the natives. It was a good game with no real winners as we played for fun. It was tough though as you soon tired as it was around 28oC and humidity was at 85%! One thing I forgot to mention as the flies! Me and Lee can handle mozzies, especially as we brought 100% deet to mix with our repellant but the flies were a killer. At one point after the football I sat down as I was knackared. After about 30 seconds I had tiny black flies all over my legs attracted to the sweat and going hell for leather trying to get my blood. These bites dont hurt first of all but once the flys are gone the bites start to bleed and really itch! Towards the end of the trip I counted over 50 bites on one leg! The little scabs they leave last about 2-3 weeks as well! Sexy.
So the next few days were much of the same: really long boat rides (upto 9 hours) to get from camp to camp, day walks, night walks (massive spiders at night), football matches, swimming in the rivers, eating really good food, playing cards, debating and generally having a really good time just paying attention to the sounds, slights and smells of the jungle. One day going up the river we were in the middle of a 7 hour boat ride when Joze (our amazing guide) shouted for the driver to stop as he had just seen a Jaguar on the shore of a dried up river bed. We were all exited as its rare to see one as there are so few but unfortunatly it had gone by the time we turneed around (about 1 minute). However we did sneak ashore (in the reserve section of Manu you are only allowed on shore in certain locations to preserve) and found a trail of these massive jaguar paw prints as well as loads of different animal ones. So close but no cigar! On the 8th day we had a late start to the day (packed and ready by 7am) and set off for a killer journy back to Cuzco. It was to take 4 hours by boat and 8 hours by bus. Infact it took 4 1/2 hours by boat as it was really shallow at points so all the men had to get out and help push up stream and about 11 hours by bus as there was a road block caused by a strike and we had to bargin our way across. So after a number of toilet stops we arrived in Cuzco later than expected at 12am with no hostel. We tried for about an hour to find somewhere before we found a really crappy place with no hot water and no heating. It was a room and it only cost 2 pounds each so we couldn´t complain.
So that was the jungle experience. I loved every minute of it, Leanne not so much! Now to Santiago (if we can!!!!!)
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