My second Peru blog takes place in the Amazon rain forest. Together with the NG Kids Expedition Team, we stayed in an open-air room with no windows or doors, so we really felt like we were part of nature. To get to the Posada Amazonas Lodge where we stayed, we had to take a boat on the Tambopata River, which eventually flows into the Amazon River. When we were on our boat ride, we saw the biggest rodent in the world, a Capibara, which was really cool to see. We also saw a troop of squirrel monkeys and as you might know, I love monkeys.
It was a long day of traveling to get to the rain forest and they gave us lunch on the boat. To help the environment, our lunch was vegetable rice served in a banana leaf, so when we were done, we threw the leaf in the water which the fish got a free meal from. It's totally safe for the environment and leaves no garbage. By the time we got to the lodge it was getting dark. Once we got to our room it was really dark. The rooms were lit by candles, so me and Tyler wrote our blogs by candlelight, which was different.
The next day we went to a lake and took out a pontoon paddle boat so that we could quietly float on the water and see the birds.
We also went to spots where we could fish for piranhas. Our group caught two of them using meat as bait. Our guide showed us the piranha's sharp teeth, which was awesome.
It was a long day of traveling to get to the rain forest and they gave us lunch on the boat. To help the environment, our lunch was vegetable rice served in a banana leaf, so when we were done, we threw the leaf in the water which the fish got a free meal from. It's totally safe for the environment and leaves no garbage. By the time we got to the lodge it was getting dark. Once we got to our room it was really dark. The rooms were lit by candles, so me and Tyler wrote our blogs by candlelight, which was different.
The next day we went to a lake and took out a pontoon paddle boat so that we could quietly float on the water and see the birds.
We also went to spots where we could fish for piranhas. Our group caught two of them using meat as bait. Our guide showed us the piranha's sharp teeth, which was awesome.
I loved fishing for piranhas even though I didn't catch one. It was
also fun to be out on the boat because all of the kids on our boat got
a turn to paddle.
We also went to a botanical garden where we met a shaman (medicine man), who makes natural medicine from the trees and plants that grow there.
There
is one fruit that makes a natural dye and they painted our faces with
it, which they believe will keep the evil spirits away. We also tried
chewing on a tiny bit of leaf that they use to numb their teeth if they
have a cavity or toothache. Now that was cool even though it tasted
disgusting.
We also went to a local farm and we saw and tasted cocoa fruit. This is what is used to make chocolate. I found out that before you put all the other ingredients in it (like sugar), it does not taste too good and nothing like chocolate. We also got to taste tangerines and starfruit picked right off the trees, which were both really good.
On the last day, we traveled back to Lima where we saw a Farewell Show that the photographers put together. They used photos from all the kids. It was sad saying goodbye to everyone, but I left happy knowing that I made 15 new friends!
I loved the rain forest and Peru and I hope I can come back.
We also went to a botanical garden where we met a shaman (medicine man), who makes natural medicine from the trees and plants that grow there.
There
is one fruit that makes a natural dye and they painted our faces with
it, which they believe will keep the evil spirits away. We also tried
chewing on a tiny bit of leaf that they use to numb their teeth if they
have a cavity or toothache. Now that was cool even though it tasted
disgusting.We also went to a local farm and we saw and tasted cocoa fruit. This is what is used to make chocolate. I found out that before you put all the other ingredients in it (like sugar), it does not taste too good and nothing like chocolate. We also got to taste tangerines and starfruit picked right off the trees, which were both really good.
On the last day, we traveled back to Lima where we saw a Farewell Show that the photographers put together. They used photos from all the kids. It was sad saying goodbye to everyone, but I left happy knowing that I made 15 new friends!
I loved the rain forest and Peru and I hope I can come back.
Tigerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgirl13! in,
Wow! it must be awsom to travel the world!
I just researched for a picture of a capybara and wow they look weird, that does not surprise me because most of the animals that you are seeing in your expedition are unique or odd in some way. I saw the pictures of the piranhas that you caught and yes, they do have some razor sharp teeth. Your guide must be a professional to be able to hold a piranha and look at its teeth so that he will not get bitten. Sorry that you did not get the exciting privilege to catch the most ferocious fish in the world- Piranha. Seems like you had a feast along with a mini science lesson on how some of the goods that we use today are made:).
my mom is from colombia so we go there every two years, people there, even in the city lead such differtent lifestyles!!!!
ive never been to the amazon river before but i went on hols to Santa Marta a beach, and i saw a
Baracuda, it has MASSIVE teeth!!!!!
i wish i could join you on your adventures!!!!!
:)