Adventures in the Amazon

Our hikes into the rain forest were filled with great opportunities to see animals, plants, and unique trees. We began the day coaxing a tarantula out of his hole. 

We learned about island trees, communication trees, kapok trees, walking trees, and ficus trees. 

The walking tree actually walks or moves forward upwards of 10 cm a year looking for sunlight. 

But my favorite tree we were introduced to was the red ant tree. This tree is home to a colony of red ants. Thousands of red ant bites can actually kill a person, and just a few years ago Peru’s justice system allowed criminals to be slowly killed by red ants. The criminals were tied to the tree and then died a painful death as the red ants bit them. Our guide retold a story about a robber who got caught stealing goods from a shopkeeper, and the store owner tied the robber to a red ant tree as punishment. Can you imagine?

We ate plants that taste like wild ginger. 

We made rope from dried tree palm fibers. 

And Keagan got to play Tarzan.

I was dressed in palm leaves, and to the dismay of the boys, gave it a bit of a shake. 

We took another rickety boat into a lagoon hoping to spot the local anaconda, but we sadly had no luck. The guide reported the snake was out of the water and ate three days last week, so today he was probably lying low in the water, the same water Evan thought it would be fun to drag his fingers in as we paddled. This picture was taken before any talk of anocandas.

We climbed a fire tower for a sweeping view of the lagoon, and the clouds reflected perfectly into the water.

After a hot, steamy four hour trek through the forest, we headed to the hotel bar. We introduced Keagan to refreshing rum and coconut drinks. He said, “Una mas por favor.”

After lunch we hiked to Caiman Lake. True to its name, we saw caiman. 

But the best part of this hike was hearing the howler monkeys. The alphas from two groups got into a screaming match warning the other to stay away. We were right in the middle of a National Geographic episode! Fantastic!!!

The stars here are beautiful! There is so little light pollution, the Milky Way can be seen at night; it’s easy to see how the Incans’ traditions and interests would center around the sun, moon, and stars. 

Tomorrow is our last day in Peru. We are headed back to Lima in the morning for one last pisco sour, one last dish of lomo saltado, and one last look at Incan history.  Then we are back home to sodas, hamburgers, and our own beds.