Peru Day 3: Flight to the Jungle

A ridiculous start time with a pick up from the hotel of 6:00am with no proper breakfast. We got to know the retired couple from Norfolk - Judy and Maurice from Cromer who joined us on the very bumpy transit to Lima airport. Our Peruvian guide decided to make our journey even more testing pumping up the volume to the local Latin American radio station.

The check-in was quite modern with only a code to enter at the e-kiosk. Kerry's stomach took a turn for the worse after a Starbucks' coffee but managed to keep it together. The flight stopped at Cusco before Peurto Maldonado seeing some impressive snowy topped mountains from the plane.

After touching down and exiting the plane, the heat was instant and wasted no time to apply the insect repellent. Had some slight confusion identifying our next tour rep expecting a Llama Travel board but soon found Delford from Refugio Amazonas, who's obviously been with too many English quoting 'lovely, jubbly'.

The transfer out of the airport was a massive 4 x 4 bus going to the secure hut to drop most of our luggage before the 2.5 hour boat ride. We'd been advised to repack and only take essential clothing and items, all quite exhausting in the melting heat and humidity with local dogs having the better idea of lying down.

Whilst waiting for the rest of the tourists to arrive I asked Delford if there were any big spiders in the jungle. Luckily he didn't wind me up saying there were no tarantulas either in the jungle or the lodge. He did point out the one straight above our heads in the thatched roof - a big hairy black one but a little too far to worry about.

We were all given a packed pre-lunch snack for the bus journey to the boat. It contained some strange fruit juice, some banana chips, some sugar frosted brazil nuts and special fruit with fibrous orange stuff inside. All very tasty. About 30 minutes later we got to the boat, a long then canopied vessel. leaving around 2pm we saw all manner of animals. It was slightly annoying not being able to see them first off as they were very well camouflaged plus they were just that bit too far to get good photos. Our proper lunch was wrapped up in banana leaf containing a special fried rice with bits of chicken which was surprisingly very tasty.

For about 2 hours the cruise was quite relaxing with every corner a new sight but the novelty wore off after the passport check. There was still another 30 minutes to go and it was getting dark. The sun had set awhile ago when we reached the lodge's dock around 6:30pm. No lights to mark the landing position and head torches needed to walk through the jungle to the lodge. We were welcomed but a much needed cold drink, a cold, wet flannel and the housekeeper to explain the rules.

Meatballs was our dinner meal and had cocktails to celebrate. The alcohol was regretted as we had to go cayman (small crocs) spotting on the boat later that night as well as the news of a 6:00am start tomorrow!
Our Room
We had some very comfy single beds with mosquito nets, a cold shower (only after 5pm), a flushing toilet, a safe and kerosene lighting.
Cayman Spotting
We saw about 2 or 3 caymans with one very, very close. It was about 2 metres long laying still in the water next to the river bank and right next to Kerry's side of the boat. Kerry started to climb on me to get away then scared everyone as the cayman thrashed around then submerged. The walk back from the boat revealed some more scary wildlife seeing a Blunt Headed Tree Snake, a Tailless Whip Scorpion (pictured) and a couple of Stick Insects getting it on!

Back at our room for an early night and earplugs inserted to block out the jungle sounds. These included crickets, tree frogs, something like a squeaky wheel, 3 whistle notes then a strange croak, builders sawing and staff playing volleyball (the last two during the day).