Saint Paul Manaus

... driver managed to get us, another lady and a child, his misses, our backpacks and bags, his crates of beer and food all into his clapped out VW car that had no door handles, window handles, locks or inside panels. We never thought this heap of tin would be able to travel 220kms to Boa Vista in any case never mind all the weight it was carrying. But, true to his word he managed to get us to the airport bang on time – 12noon, and in one piece! We made the flight ...

... cio/horas de viagem", sai seguramente vencedor! E para apimentar ainda mais a coisa, não é que os gajos não nos deixam no povoado, mas sim a 12 kms da coisa?! O passeio até se podia fazer a pé com bastante calma, não fossem isto umas dez da noite, e estamos em pleno território das FARC!!! Um estupidez, é o que é, mas como sou um tipo bem sortudo, a menina (catita, diga-se!) que no autocarro nos fez companhia, tinha o contacto do único táxi de Popayan que opera à noite, e mais ainda ...

... which was a bit scary knowing that there were piranhas, caimans and eels in there!<br><br>We had a siesta after lunch, and then did a bit more piranha fishing, before our dinner. After falling asleep early again, we got woken up in the night to torrential rain. Impressively, the palm roof we'd constructed at the start of the trip held well, but poor Ceciliano who had been sleeping under the stars got soaked!<br>

... to a different area and spotted some squirrel monkeys and pink dolphins.<br><br>the day after, we went to a jungle track were we saw huge tarantulas and learned about many plants that can cure almost any common medical condition including malaria. those plants are used by the locals. elso used it for his entire life without needing modern doctors.<br><br>afternoon we went to visit the local tribe and learn about their ...

... stories about the jungle to pass the time, but I think we were both content just listening to the sounds of the rainforest, which comes alive at night. The loudest things were the many types of frogs and the screaming of howler monkeys. A number of times we heard some loud rustling noises close to the camp and our guides got up a few times to investigate, but we survived the night, in part due to Ceciliano's loud snoring probably scaring the animals away!<br>

... least a couple hours, when we gave in and went to our air conditioned cabin.<br><br>Our tickets indicated that the boat would leave at 7AM and so we expected to sleep through departure or be awoken by the hundreds of local folks boarding and hanging their hammocks on the decks. At 6:45, we woke and checked the decks- completely empty. However, at 7 we<br>pulled out of the dock with only a few other passengers on board. We sort of panicked, although ...

... Remontee/descente de l'amazone.<br><br><br><br> <br><br> <br><br><br> <br><br> <br><br><br><br> <br> <br><br><br ...

... but harmless. I started to panic as it tried to squeeze itself in the door through a gape at the top and it was at this point that my fretting awoke our guide. I was now thankful that he was there as Tarzan wasn't looking like he was going to do much protecting. The guide looked as panicked as I felt and soon explained that it was a venomous Cobra. Well that put any hopes of sleep for me out the window, although I needn't of worried as the guide did half hourly spotlight checks of the ...

... living in the thatched roofs of our floating bungalows! - mainly bats, we discovered. The one thing which did not mke a lot of noise was the caimans (crocodiles) - lots of them around us! There is a wide variety of activities arranged - all accompanied by experienced, excellent and helpful guides. The main ones are walks of 3-4 hours in the jungle and rather pleasant canoe trips (rowed by the guide) and actually quite good for spotting ...

... their eyes and then the guide gets hold of one to show it to you. Alan nabbed a small one (to my relief) and gave us lots information on him before letting him go in the river. Then the fun started.... I was ill all night and had to send Kingsley on the dawn birding trip without me. I was determined that I was not going to remain ill and ruin my dream but had to miss the jungle walk too!! Poor Kingsley stayed behind to feel helpless and we were really glad that the lodge ...