Our first full day in the Amazon began bright and early with the alarm ringing at 4.45 am. Our sleep had been lovely … enclosed by the nets of our beds we were protected from the insects … but could hear them throughout the night. Every time I woke it was to the chirping and hum of the jungle. Not scary … but actually quite restful.
So when the alarm went off we were up and out of bed to begin our first full day in the forest. Esau had decided that we would go to the Oxbow Lake … a lake about 20-30 minutes walk inland after a 5 minute boat ride from our resort. The walk was great. We walked along a path between the jungle sometimes having to hug the edges to avoid the very muddy and squealchy middle. Ian had to take it more cautiously than the rest of us as we had gumboots so could splodge through the mud.
As we walked along Esau pointed out things to us … plants, puma prints … all manner of things along the path. We arrived at a small boat dock on the lake edge, complete with toilets, and we boarded our catamaran for our lake cruise. Our boat master was Guillermo … who skilfully took us from one end of the lake to the other. He and Esau were on the lookout for animals and birds as we sailed smoothly along.
Our first encounter was with a mother Cayman Crocodile and its one baby. At first I could only spot the tail and then realised the eye was looking straight at me.
As we travelled across the lake we spotted Hoatzin, a bird a little like a pheasant.
Howler monkeys
Toucan
Otters feasting on fish
Toppin's Titi monkey
Rufescent Tiger Heron
Views of the lake
My dad popped by to say hello ... love you dad
We finished our cruise of the lake ... thanks to Guillermo for such a great experience. As we walked back to our river boat we came across a few more interesting things.
Back on our river boat we popped down to the Macaw Clay Lick ... beautiful macaws in the tree, and then thanks to a Howler Monkey not in the tree.
Back at the lodge for some lunch and a rest before we were heading out again later in the afternoon. As we sat chatting with Emily and James after our morning adventure, eagle eyes James spotted more Toppin's Titi monkeys in the trees near the lounge.
Lunch
Around the lodge
After lunch we had a bit of a rest (quick nap for Ian) before heading out for our afternoon hike.
Esau had told us we would walk to the small Ceibu tree and then head to the Mammal Salt Lick ... but he lied!!! We ended up walking to the large Ceibu tree ... and then on to the salt lick.
A gruelling 3 and a half hour walk through the jungle ... in muddy paths, up and down, over tree roots. We saw few animals on the hike but lots of evidence of animals ... eaten fruit, scratching in the dirt, paw prints in the mud. We saw lots of vegetation and I was fascinated by all the fungi.
You may have noticed a pic with Ian in a wet shirt. Not swimming ... sweat. So much he could wring streams of water from his shirt.
We arrived at the Mammal Salt Lick ... just in time to see the Collared Peccary (wild boar) happily licking at the clay wall to get the salts they needed. A great way to finish our hike.
And then the final walk back to the lodge in the dark. A nice cold shower, dinner, a lovely chat with Emily and James and then it was time for bed. Tomorrow we have another day in the jungle ... and Esau has allowed us a sleep in! So the alarm is set for 5.45am!
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