Amazon

After almost three months of travel, we had our first flight delay which meant that we arrived in Puerto Maldonado just before dusk. By the time we collected our bags, and were driven to the pier, it was pitch black. Using a torch, our guide led us onto a small boat and we took off on our 45 minute ride to the hotel, the Inkaterra Guides Lodge. This is definitely going to be very different to anything we've done before, and in many ways will take the kids out of their comfort zone, and us too!

Our first foray into the Amazon rainforest. Complete darkness accompanied only by the buzzing of insects, calls of the birds and other animals, rustling of the leaves. Scary yet alluring. 

Home for the next three days would be the Inkaterra Guides Field Station. We had no idea what the accommodation was going to be like before we got there, I just assumed that it would be fairly basic hotel. It turned out to be nothing like what I'd pictured in my mind. As soon as we got to our room, Shad said, "it's school camp!" A much nicer version thankfully. It was basic but very clean and spacious. Everything was intended to be eco-friendly, no toilet paper to be thrown down the toilets, and electricity in the entire compound was turned off twice everyday, from 11am-6pm and again from 10pm-7am. This was a little challenging especially in the afternoon heat but we got used to it after awhile and enjoyed our stay here very much.

Camp quarters. Bed a... Ryan Ngam.

Bed c.... Mama but someone has invaded Mama's space! 

Our first animal sighting, an Amazonian orang utan! 😆 The main lodge, a common area to chill and also the dining room. 

The place looks so different in the daylight. The roofs are made from a type of palm leaves found in the Amazon.

Stepping into the jungle on our first day trek. 

Breakfast, termites! Not bad, very crunchy and woody tasting.

A walking palm, this tree sheds its old roots as new ones grow in the direction of better light sources. By doing this, the tree can can effectively move up to 1 metre each year. 

Who needs playgrounds when nature provides us with such fun play equipment.

Monkey poo, could quite clearly see what this little guy had for breakfast!

Tower 1, the start of our canopy walk. 

30metres above ground, definitely not for those who are afraid of heights.

The honeymoon lodge. Seriously, people really do book this tiny hut for special occasions.

Back down on ground... time to fix my hair! Our guide told us that the monkeys use this type of "brushes" to groom themselves. 

A translucent seed. Can't remember what the exact name is.

Science lesson, Frank explaining how termites build their nests.

Frank cut off a small bit of the nest. Both of them were fascinated to see what the inside of the nest looks like, even though Mia was horrified that he destroyed their home.

The nest was swarming with hundreds of termites.

One hour later, on our way back to camp, the nest had been completed repaired. Kids couldn't believe it and just stood there staring at the "new" nest for the longest time. 

One of the many types of heliconia plants, also known as lobster claw, found in the Amazon.

Back at the lodge again.

So happy to get out of the heat and away from all the bugs and mosquitoes.

J
Lunch time! Every meal was a 3-course meal. A soup (vegetable soups mainly), a main (we had baked fish, chicken stew and beef steak) and dessert (different kinds of fruit). Simple but tasty home cooking. 

This little one enjoyed every meal so much. 

The best thing to do during the hot humid afternoons.