THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2015 - AMAZON

 I ended yesterday's post showing you a few pictures of our lodge on the Amazon River, Casa del Suizo.  The following will give  you a better idea of how this resort was laid out.  Below, our first glimpse from the canoe as we approached the property.

The rooms were all connected by the covered walkways that also led to the swimming pool, dining area, and bar.

 Our room and Tom & Virginia's room shared a entry porch (shown below)

And, this covered walkway leads to the pool, bar, and dining area.

Looking toward our porch (no screen).  Note you are looking through the screen walls of the room.

And, looking from our porch to see Tommy (in hammock) & Virginia on their porch.

The plants throughout the property were very colorful.

Our day's activities, planned by Vivian, our guide, included traveling in a power boat on the river with Vivian and one of the local tour guides to a location where we began a hike through the jungle.  First, we were all fitted with knee-high rubber boots along with life jackets, and once in the boat, began our trip on the river.

We landed and began  the jungle hike.  Our local tour guide took us on a path that included pointing out various plants and insects.  We stopped to examine a large swarm of termites.  And, were told they were very tasty.  Most of us chose not to find out.  One of us ate a termite and he said that he liked it!  We crossed a very deep ravine in a basket on a cable, one at a time, then later came upon a rope bridge that we walked across.  The local tour guide demostrated how the natives would climb a tree with no ladder assist.  We returned to the lodge for lunch and a short rest period, then departed again on the river, again wearing our rubber knee-length boots and life jackets.

Below, our boat pulls up to the shore where the native women are beating their laundry in the river.

Our brave food "taster" is just waiting for another exotic food.  Behind him is the home of a Quechus family that we will visit.

Here, the lady of the house explains how she cooks for the family.  (Vivian is on the right).

The visit ended with each of us taking our turn, or more turns with a blow dart gun.

Our return to the lodge included a walk through the local village stopping at the home/shop of a local wood carver.

We returned to the lodge in time for a short nap and then began to make our plans for departure the following morning.  Again, dinner was at 7:30 p.m. and with no other activities we were soon in our cabins for the evening.