We were lucky to go caiman spotting twice. We went out in the motorized canoe after dark and waited in silence for the canoe handler (a native of the region) to spot a caiman, catch it and bring it into the boat. Due to the season, it was easier to catch a baby caiman. That also made it easier for us to hold them. The guide explained about caiman habitat, breeding, physical properties and instructed us in the safe way to hold them. After the lesson, we all took our turn (except BLP) holding the caimans. It was thrilling and interesting.
Our family circled around me holding the caiman. It was so hot that night!
The next morning we awoke early and went out to see the sunrise over one of the bays in the river. At this time of year the river looked more like a rough lake than a real river. We could see the current but the distance between the two banks was enormous. It was a beautiful moment that made me burst with thankfulness for the beauty of God’s creation.
The sun coming up over the Rio Negro.
BLP with the rising sun on her face.
We saw some more of the resident monkeys at the hotel when we returned form the sunrise tour.
Later on that day, we went for a jungle hike. We had to wear long pants and closed toe shoes because the guide told us we would encounter razor grass and all manner of thorns. She was right. I saw a tree trunk completely covered in two to three inch barbed thorns. One of the highlights of the jungle hike was the larvae eating. Fireflies lay eggs inside the seeds of a certain tree and the egg matures into larvae inside the seed. The natives use these larvae as a source of protein while in the jungle. The guide asked us if we would like to try and I immediately volunteered. I knew I would not have another opportunity so I thought, “why not?” They actually did not taste bad, a little like coconut cream, but the creamy smooth texture on the inside was in stark contrast to the fibrous skin. JTP also tried it and we goaded AJP into doing it as well. Another highlight was hearing about all the medicinal properties of the plants in the jungle, smelling the bark and touching the sap.
Our family in the boat after the jungle tour. Our canoe handler made the kids the cute crowns.
This is a tree we visited on our way back from the jungle hike. Remember, it is in over 30 feet of water and still this big.
One of the last activities we participated in was trash pickup along the river. This is a living river with people working and living along its banks. It was easy to see the human impact when we picked up Styrofoam, plastic bottles, cans, shoes and other items. Some of the items were probably there on accident because they fell out of the boat but many were there because people carelessly dumped them. We thought it was a good opportunity to teach AJP and BLP the importance of proper trash disposal. It also went along well with what AJP learned in school last year about respecting the environment. The trash pickup also gave us some good karma since on this trip we saw some pink dolphins, a sloth and a 10 feet long caiman.
On the boat ready to pick up trash.
On the way back from to the hotel we stopped by a native’s house to pick up the parrots that live at the hotel. The area where they live was flooded and so they went to live with some neighbors while the water receded. This was a highlight for BLP.
BLP with one of the parrots at its home, the bar, in the hotel.
We left the next morning for Manaus and our flight home. As we lifted into the air we could see out the window the beautiful joining of the Rio Negro and the Rio Solimoes when they become the Amazon (this is how it is viewed in Brazil. Others call the Rio Solimoes, the Amazon River). Check out the 360° view of it I found on the internet.
Right before we left, we posed with our guide, Margirita, and canoe handler, Roberto.
Our whole trip was incredible. We all feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to go to such a special place.
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