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Time to hit the jungle again! This time it really did feel like the Rainforest should, so lush and green, and so very vast. Not the best journey into the forest, needless to say that tarmacing roads is not one of there top priorities! The truck could only take us the the edge of the river, which is were we boarded our canoe boats to reach the Anaconda Lodge where we were staying. Slightly apprehensive about the name, the boat ride was an amazing entrance, if not slightly nerve racking. The rapids in the river change so quickly as the river twists and turns throught the forest. The lodge was what they call an eco lodge, so candle lit rooms and cold showers for a few days, a once the sun had set it was pitch black, with only the monkeys as company as you walked around.
The first evening we went to an animal reserve to see some local wildlife. Then on the second day was Bolsa Rafting. Bolsa being a light weight wood grown in the rainforest. On arrival to another part of the river there were no rafts, cause they hadnt made them yet, there was only a pile of trunks and a few bits of rope. But once assembled, they did float, which is always helpful! So once positioned on raft, we headed down stream with the current, encountering various rapeids on the way, and holding on tight. We wont even mention the anaconda's and camens they have in the waters here! But at any opportuntiy i dived off the raft to have a swim, and you just blissfully float down the river, surrounded by spectacular scenery. After drying off from rafting we went to a local village on the other side of the river, to see how the traditional people live and survive, and the local hand crafts they make with materials from the forest.
The second day was the jungle walk, which would have been fine had it not had rained for all of the previous night and following morning, ironis in the RAINforest! So the jungle was like one big mudslide, decked out in semi waterproofs and wellies, we began the trek. The guide goes in front with a machete to cut through various obstructions and posionous animals, which is very necessary when in some parts it is really dense. After a 4 hr trek another fashion statement was made, this was in the form of a bikini and wellies to do a river walk. Which sounds really very pleasant, if the river didnt come up to you waist, was lined with the most slippery rocks in the world with a strong current, and not forgetting the wildlife! The concentration was immense but did lapse a few times which equals a thorough soaking! All part of the 'experience' eh!? After this adventure we returned back to the lodge, had another delicious dinner and then had the opportunity to be cleansed by a Shamen, noted as one of the wisest people in the rainforest. After i was spookily choosen to be cleansed the ritual started. Really quite an amazing experience to have done in such a wonderful place.
Next on the agenda Quito! The last stop x
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