Finally off the boats and checked into the nice and clean Hostal Manaus we went in search of adventure by way of a two day jungle tour. The tour we eventually chose seemed to offer a more rough and ready experience and having met our guide Antonio there seemed little doubt that he was the real deal. Two action packed days followed that will live with me for quite a while were helped by the other three punters in our group Josh and Davina from London and Okae from Holland. Two road and two boat trips over four hours eventually got us all deep into the Amazon rainforest, south of Manaus but on the way we stopped to see the meeting of the rivers Negra and the Amazon. Again, for a more comprehensive guide as to what that means
click here. 
Also en route to our intended camp was some dolphin spotting and a nice little swim just before a spot of piranha fishing(!?) Using chicken pieces I led the way and ended up catching four of the little razor sharp teeth swimmers. With the heavens opened and with darkness about to fall it was then time to get all Ray Mears like and build camp.
This was done expertly by Antonio assisted by us all. We then headed back into our little boat and set off to a local family’s house where we met the family and cooked a meal.
Despite feeling a little tired by now there was still time for some Cayman hunting which Antonio duly hunted. He was only a little fella to be honest but all the same a Cayman. Campfire and beers then before a 20 minute sleep in the hammocks awaited. Yes 20 minutes. Now I know that many people often say it but...I don’t know what or why it is but the mosquitoes absolutely love me.
I got reminded of why during RTW09 I rode 1200km in a day to escape them as I got totally annihilated during the night possibly in part to an ill fitted ‘Gringo net.’ Whatever, it ended up being the joint worst night of my life along with my cold and wet rat nightmare last year on Mount Cameroon. Mercifully morning came and nobody could exactly say how bad it was but the general opinion was that I’d sustained over 200 mosquito bites mostly on my back which meant that the little bastards did me through the net, hammock, shirt and even Deet. If you really want a laugh then click on the picture for a closer view of the carnage.
Not happy at all I broke down camp with the others and we then set off on a two hour trek. An introduction to the Amazon’s amazing plant and tree life was given including a IACGMOOH grub eating session by me BJ and Okae. Next Antonio moved onto wildlife as a tarantula was coaxed out of his home and presented to us before the final piece of action involved a Sloth being brought down from a tree for us all to hold, photo and generally annoy.
Only after all of this lot we finally headed back to civilisation. We weren’t however finished with the Amazonian experience just yet as a beer fuelled camp conversation highlighted a wonderful or nightmarish final experience that me, BJ and Lenny decided to face head on the following evening. But hey it couldn’t be worse than being bitten 200+ over the night surely..?
Finally off the boats and checked into the nice and clean Hostal Manaus we went in search of adventure by way of a two day jungle tour. The tour we eventually chose seemed to offer a more rough and ready experience and having met our guide Antonio there seemed little doubt that he was the real deal. Two action packed days followed that will live with me for quite a while were helped by the other three punters in our group Josh and Davina from London and Okae from Holland. Two road and two boat trips over four hours eventually got us all deep into the Amazon rainforest, south of Manaus but on the way we stopped to see the meeting of the rivers Negra and the Amazon. Again, for a more comprehensive guide as to what that means click here. 
Also en route to our intended camp was some dolphin spotting and a nice little swim just before a spot of piranha fishing(!?) Using chicken pieces I led the way and ended up catching four of the little razor sharp teeth swimmers. With the heavens opened and with darkness about to fall it was then time to get all Ray Mears like and build camp. 
This was done expertly by Antonio assisted by us all. We then headed back into our little boat and set off to a local family’s house where we met the family and cooked a meal.
Despite feeling a little tired by now there was still time for some Cayman hunting which Antonio duly hunted. He was only a little fella to be honest but all the same a Cayman. Campfire and beers then before a 20 minute sleep in the hammocks awaited. Yes 20 minutes. Now I know that many people often say it but...I don’t know what or why it is but the mosquitoes absolutely love me.
I got reminded of why during RTW09 I rode 1200km in a day to escape them as I got totally annihilated during the night possibly in part to an ill fitted ‘Gringo net.’ Whatever, it ended up being the joint worst night of my life along with my cold and wet rat nightmare last year on Mount Cameroon. Mercifully morning came and nobody could exactly say how bad it was but the general opinion was that I’d sustained over 200 mosquito bites mostly on my back which meant that the little bastards did me through the net, hammock, shirt and even Deet. If you really want a laugh then click on the picture for a closer view of the carnage.
Not happy at all I broke down camp with the others and we then set off on a two hour trek. An introduction to the Amazon’s amazing plant and tree life was given including a IACGMOOH grub eating session by me BJ and Okae. Next Antonio moved onto wildlife as a tarantula was coaxed out of his home and presented to us before the final piece of action involved a Sloth being brought down from a tree for us all to hold, photo and generally annoy.
Only after all of this lot we finally headed back to civilisation. We weren’t however finished with the Amazonian experience just yet as a beer fuelled camp conversation highlighted a wonderful or nightmarish final experience that me, BJ and Lenny decided to face head on the following evening. But hey it couldn’t be worse than being bitten 200+ over the night surely..?
No comments:
Post a Comment