Down the Amazon River (Day 4)
This morning at 9 am, we embarked on a 90-minute approximately 50-mile boat ride down the Amazon to the Napo River, then the Gran Corriente (Grand Stream).
It was an amazing journey. It was surreal. In the back of my head, the words “You are boating down the Amazon River in Peru” kept echoing. As we traveled, it crossed my mind that it has been 7 years since I took an international journey and taken only 2 stateside trips in the past 3 years.
It felt so great and refreshing. The breeze was magnificent. I filmed a portion of the ride. No matter what direction you looked, there was greenery and beauty. Though some might think green is green. The Amazon Rainforest and River have a whole spectrum of greens, blues, and browns.
After our 90-minute ride, we arrived at the Explorama Lodge. Across our 50-mile ride, we traveled down one small river to the Amazon River and up the Grand Stream. Unfortunately, due to water levels, we were only able to motor another few miles upriver to the Explorama Lodge lower dock.
Had we been here three weeks earlier, we would have been able to motor further to the upper dock. The amazing staff of Explorama helped with carrying the luggage and supplies to the upper community area before the rooms. I could have carried my 50 lb pack myself, but the other 50 lb bag full of donation supplies for the village would have been difficult to hike in, too.
We are staying at the Explorama Lodge for 2 nights before heading to ACTS Research station (1 mile deeper into the rainforest) from the Napo Valley Lodge (which is another 90 minutes and 100 miles down the Amazon River).
My favorite place is the lower hammock relaxation space. I managed to use my first 3-hour window of adjustment time reading my book in a hammock with music in my ears and water by my side. The Explorama 4-legged mascot came to me quickly and decided I needed company.
Our accommodations are very nice and “4 stars” for the rainforest. We have a private bathroom and shower in our 2 twin bedrooms. My roommate is an awesome upper elementary teacher. The rooms are closed and roofed here with electricity inside, including a fan, which means no mosquito netting over our beds.
The lodge is a large open area with full screening and netting from bugs. Makes me think of my old ’80s Girl Scout camp days. The walkways are amazing, and we are beautifully surrounded by lush greenery. We can hear the birds crowing, but can’t see them at this time of the day. Bird watching at 5 am tomorrow will be cool to do.
Following lunch, I spent a little part of my afternoon splitting my luggage to lighten my load to the ACTS station where we will be for the next 5 days. The ACTS station is more rustic, with open-air cabins, sleeping with mosquito netting, and limited electricity. Bathrooms are fancy latrine style, and showers are outside with cold water only. Fine by me. There will be NO Wi-Fi or internet of any kind. Fine with me, too! The beauty and tranquility was intoxicating.
