First stop: pink river dolphin scouting. Status: complete!
We were able to find these funny-looking creatures in a calm cove of the Amazon River. Their long snouts, long necks, humped head, and rounded dorsal fin (and, of course, their pinkish colour) set them apart from their ocean friends. I didn't understand why it would be harder to find them in the wet season (I thought it would be harder to find them when it's dry and the water level was low), but its because there is more water and land is flooded, and therefore they have more area to swim in and are in less concentrated numbers. Their features mentioned above allow them to maneuver through the flooded tree areas and eat fish from smaller places. They get their pink colour from the silt in the water and also because their skin is so thin that e capillaries show through. They get pinker with age and the males are usually more pink than females.
Second stop: piranha fishing. Status: complete! (Debbie status: success at catfish... And one sardine.)
As many others on our boat found piranha-success quickly, Mom and I seemed to be "catfish catchers" only. Although they were darn cute, I might say; almost like miniature sharks. Using the stick-with-fishing-line rods, others filled our lunch basket with red and white piranha, while Mom and I stuck to catfish. Then we changed positions on the boat and I was finally able to catch a piranha, and Mom got a sardine. We couldn't believe how great the weather held up for us - no rain and the sun even shone.
Third stop: animal sanctuary. Status: complete!
Our last stop of the morning (only 10:00am and we've seen and done so much!) was to an animal rescue-type place who takes in animals that have been confiscated at the airport or from villages from people who had them illegally (for the black market, etc.). It was quite a fun experience. We played with monkeys, our favourite being a little guy named Poncho, a three-toed sloth, saw some parrots and a beautiful toucan, a snake, a snapper turtle and even had an anaconda wrapped around my neck (note: "my" neck - mi madre opted out of this experience, lol... "It was mucky and slimy."). Interesting fact about sloth is they eat leaves that are very alkaloid (alkaline?) which gives them a "high," hence their very slow movements. Also, the creator of E.T. got his inspiration from the face of a sloth. Sloths are very vulnerable to predators, and an easy target, so they can hang in the trees for up to a week before coming down to defecate. (I'm not sure why they don't just poop from the tree branch! I would! Other species do!) The snapper turtle had a triangular head and isn't able to retract its head inside its shell like most turtles.
After this exciting event it was back to the lodge for a quick lunch (including a taste of our piranha) and then departure up river to Iquitos to catch our plane back to Lima.
* * *
A long taxi ride to Miraflores and a WONDERFUL (hot) shower later, and we were off to discover. We found an amazing little restaurant called "Las Tejas," with live music and great atmosphere, and then explored the little square, called "Parque Kennedy," after John F. Kennedy, where there were a few food vendors, a small market, and some restaurants.
Back to our clean, comfy beds for a good nights rest (did Debbie mention clean?), and possibly (aka probably) another amazing shower tomorrow.
Location:Amazonas Sinchicuy
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