The Hoatzin's and Other Birds in Peruvian Jungle

According to Wikipedia there are 1879 species of birds in Peru.  We certainly didn't see that many, especially since the parrot lick was parrotless. We did see quite a few birds and the guide was able to identify the birds as they were overhead.  I don't just mean he would say that's a macaw but he named it from the birds call- it is a scarlet macaw.

The river is where we saw the most birds, like this blue billed bird (don't know the real name)

and this hawk

but my favorite are the hoatzin's. Before  the hoatzin's came into view I heard them first. A low groan and then I saw one.  The hoatzin's remind me of Beaker from the Muppets with big eyes and crazy,wild hair.

When we came up to the next bunch of birds I was excited because there were four birds all together.  One flew up into the trees and the nest was still full.  And another flew away and yet another.  15 birds must have been in that one area and they just kept flying up into the trees.

Of all the birds I saw, these were definitely a favorite.

R.O.U.S's Rodents of Unusual Size in Peruvian Amazon

The Princess Bride is one of my favorite movies.  It's a classic, one that everyone should be able to quote at anytime.  If you too are a fan of The Princess Bride, you'll know all about the R.O.U.S's.   Outside of a snake slithering in the grass (it looked quite huge too), the first animal I saw in the Peruvian jungle was a rodent of unusual size aka R.O.U.S.   At first I thought it was a wild pig but hairy.  Our guide explained it was a capybara...a giant rodent.  Luckily it didn't have a giant rat tail and wasn't chasing me wearing my princess buttercup dress.

The next animal was the caiman.  Like an alligator but a lot smaller.  Now maybe this was a young one but all the ones I saw weren't that big.  Regardless, I wouldn't want to go swimming with one.

Speaking of swimming, people can swim in different areas but need to watch out for the anaconda's.  Our guide said he'd only seen one 2 or 3 times in his life and we were fortunate enough to see one on our kayak trip.  Our guides were wonderful looking for animals and spotted this little guy warming up in the tree and singing trust in me while his eyes dilated and made crazy designs.

People used to swim in Lago Condenado, also known as Oxbo Lake, but when it became a protected area people no longer swam in it.  I personally think it's because of the piraña's we saw in the water eating the crackers we were feeding them.

Around the lodge we saw monkeys jumping from tree branches and I saw a red howler monkey too.  It was sleeping in a tree by where we were eating lunch and the lodge brought out their telescope. It was amazing seeing the monkey just sleeping there.  We also saw another rodent running around the lodge grounds. It looks like a size of a squirrel here but it was the size of a small cat.  I wouldn't be surprised if these came into the room which is open to the jungle.  They are probably the reason we were told to lock our food up in the lockers.

I didn't see any animals in the room but our friends Scott and Michele were in the next room and Michele said she heard something eating in her room.  It should have been eating the termites that were building a nest in their bathroom which crashed down all on their bathroom counter leaving termites and yummy looking larva all over the counter and floor.  The termites can build a gigantic nest in a couple hours.

At Oxbo late while Jose Luis our guide was paddling us around, we also saw these little bats hanging out on a log.

One evening we took a night hike and saw creepy crawlies like the pink toed tarantula

And these very gross whipless scorpians.  Or maybe they were tail-less.  Regardless, I didn't see the appeal in them and wouldn't want them for pets.

One of my favorite things on the night hike and I don't have a picture of it the leaf cutter ants.  Just like in A Bug's Life, these 4 little ants were carrying pieces of leaves larger than them walking on a branch. I'm easy to please and these 4 little ants with 4 leafs walking with the leaves was a highlight of the jungle for me.

Tomorrow I'll share the birds I saw in the jungle. 

Just Like Jungle Book: The Peruvian Amazon

When I started blogging about my Peruvian vacation, I explained there were two parts to the vacation.  Part 1 was the 5 day, 4 night hike to Machu Picchu.  Part 2 was 5 days, 4 nights in the jungle in the Peruvian Amazon, the rain forest.

We flew straight from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado and the climate difference between the two locations was noticeable immediately.   Living in Phoenix, Arizona, we have almost no humidity except a couple months and even then it's not much when compared to other places, like the rain forest. I knew it would be humid but I didn't know it would be really humid. 

The boat we took to the lodge

On the Tambopata 

We booked our trip with Rainforest Expeditions and stayed at the Refugio Amazonas lodge.  Rainforest Expeditions picked us up at the airport and took us to their office where we repacked luggage to only take what was required and we were loaded onto a bus. I wish I had pictures of the homes we passed.  The homes weren't even shacks.  They were more like 2x4's with plastic tarps.  I don't know if they ate there or what or maybe, hopefully, they were temporary shelters for the field workers.  After the bus ride we climbed into boats for a 2 hour boat ride.  Our plane arrived late which meant we were arriving to the lodge late and wouldn't be able to do our caiman hunting unless we did it on our way to the lodge.  We did see baby caiman and momma too.  

A caiman sunning himself.  Or is it a herself?  I can't tell with that smile

We finally arrived right before dinner and had our orientation.  Wear bug spray, put snacks/food in the lockers and don't go into the jungle without a guide otherwise you might get lost.  To be honest I was very miserable that first evening.  It was hot.  I mean very hot and humid and sticky.  The bugs were attacking me and I was NOT a happy camper.  I wondered what the heck I got myself into.

The lodge supported ecotourism and being one with nature.  There was electricity in the main area twice a day and the rooms were lit with kerosene lanterns.  The soaps were biodegradable and made brazilian nuts and smelled wonderful. The rooms had three walls with the 4th being open to the jungle and you sleep under mosquito nets. Imagine falling asleep to the sounds of the jungle where dozens of things come to life at night and it is right next to you.  Literally.

Our room number and the light for our entry and bathroom

Out beds, mosquito nets and the outside jungle with our clothes hanging out to dry

I slept well under my mosquito net and woke up the next morning with a better mind set than the evening before.  Day 1 of the jungle adventure begins.

Cusco Peru

Historic Cusco ranks as my favorite city to visit next to Barcelona and Florence.  I love the tiny narrow cobblestone streets and jumping from the street onto to 12 in sidewalk to avoid the car whizzing by honking it's horn.  The little shops beg you to come in and look at their alpaca scarves, wood carved animals and silvery jewelry even though most of it is mass produced in a factory somewhere, probably china.

One of the courtyards at Hotel Rumi Punku

Michele in one of the many alleys

School girl working on homework next to "store"

Custom dress shop

John, Scott and Michele by Inca wall

Cusco plaza

Giants puppets

Cusco street

We only had 1/2 a day to explore Cusco since the following day was an all day tour of the Sacred Valley and the day after that was the start of our 5 day/4 night trek to Machu Pichhu through the Saltankay pass.

The Company of Jesus Church (La Compania de Jesus)

Sunset in Cusco

If you've ever been to Mexico,  a steady stream of children will approach you for money or selling chicklets (gum). In Peru, on every corner is someone dressed in Peruvian dress, usually with an alpaca, asking if you want to take a picture, which of course you pay for.  One young girl got her picture taken and pocketed the dollar bill in one smooth, fluid motion. When the same person took another picture of the same girl, her hand went out again wanting more money.  

The inside of the Cusco Cathedral (Cathedral of Santa Domingo) was gaudy yet beautiful with all the ornate gold stolen by the Spanish from the Inca's.  In addition to the gold, silver and jewels, hung artwork and I found the Last Supper painting quite humorous since in the center of the table was cuy, better known as guinea pig.  And for those wondering minds, no, I did not eat any guinea pig but I saw a number of restaurants listing it on their menu.

Return from Darkest Peru

The first few days back from Peru I hesitated with what to do with the used toilet paper.  Two weeks in Peru trained me to throw teepee in the garbage, instead of flushing down the toilet,  along with always having with me toilet paper and hand sanitizer.  The process of incorporating myself back into civilization by going to Lima to fly home, was met with tears and terror and days later I long for the simplicity and lack of responsibility I experienced during my adventure vacation.

When I told friends I was going to Peru their comments ranged from 'are you hiking michi uku' (or some other horrible pronunciation of Machu Picchu) to 'did you draw the short straw for vacation locations'.  When friends Scott and Michele invited us to join them to Peru, I jumped at the opportunity.  I knew nothing about Peru but loved hiking, the outdoors and traveling with Scott because as sole owner and customer of Honey Bee Travel, he loves figuring out all the logistics and I do is show up and hope I didn't pack too much.

Our Peru vacation was a two parter in extremely different environments.

Part 1 consisted of a two days in Cusco to acclimate to the altitude of 11,200ft before beginning the 5 day, 4 night trek  over the Saltankay pass as high as 14,760ft and ending up in Machu Picchu.

Part 2 threw me into a hot, humid, buggy environment for 4 days in the Peruvian Amazon sleeping under mosquito nets, seeing macaws flying overhead and the wild night sounds of the jungle.

Over the next weeks I'll share my pictures and stories from my awesome vacation.