We arose bright and early for our very first excursion into the Amazon, and it was like someone had put in a request to the dolphins. Pink and gray dolphins appeared in abundance as we entered the Flor de Castaño, feeding and courting. Our day would be full of bird and other wildlife sightings as we explored deep into an oxbow lake, where the river pinched a meander as it shifted course over the years. Later in the day after several aboard enjoyed a kayaking exploration, we ventured into Supay Creek. We looked for elusive pygmy marmoset monkeys, the smallest in the world, and were treated to a rare sighting as a little group of monkeys licked sap from a tree. Our day was full of such creatures as sloths, yellow-headed caracaras, osprey, cormorants feeding and black-collared hawks and even a paradise tanager. The day proved to be but an appetizer for all the wonders yet to come.
7/30/2022
Read
Delfin II
Yarapa Creek
Our last day to explore the Amazon’s richness has arrived. With nostalgia, we began the day with a fabulous breakfast made by the hands of our expert, native Amazonian chefs. The river was calling us again. With the skiffs ready, we boarded them and set off to enjoy the Amazon one last time. Our destiny was a wonderful creek with many stories to share. Birds flew by like they did all week. We observed one sitting on top of a large tree. It was noticeably large in size and had a strikingly colorful bill. “It is a toucan,” the guide said. What a privilege to observe such a beautiful bird. The journey went on. The river is endless and majestic, harboring all sorts of life everywhere. The Amazon gives us the best gift, the gift of life. We enjoyed a brief moment of silence to hear the sublime sounds of Mother Nature. The last outing of the journey had arrived, this time to visit a small community of the Amazon. They welcomed us with a display of handcrafts made by their skillful hands. We bought some of their wares, which they sell to help support themselves in this difficult and remote place. Our guests enjoyed discovering a different culture, with traditions and a unique living style. Deep in the jungle, isolation makes it necessary for people to learn survival skills, like our ancestors did before they moved to the urban sectors. It feels great to contribute to the economy by purchasing the people’s creations. We are now saying, “See you soon, great Amazon River. See you soon, great people. It was a great voyage. We will never forget you.”
