The great Amazon Rainforest usually has a blazing blue sky and patches of clouds. But this time we have a foggy landscape! It is very rare to see that. A foggy day is usually cool and more enjoyable than a hot day. It seems that the creatures of the forest are having fun as well! There are plenty of birds singing and flying all around.
This morning we visited a small settlement called 9 de Octubre located on the bank of the Marañón River, home to around 500 people. This was our opportunity to interact with the local leaders and to listen to their stories. As part of our partnership with Minga Peru we support development programs such as education, conservation and leadership. This morning we took school supplies for the kids and it was quite a highlight visiting the kindergarten and listening to the little ones singing and talking to us. They are very curious about visitors and they love seeing pictures from the digital cameras.
In the afternoon we disembarked to visit Yarapa River. Here, we went for a walk in the forest among large fig trees and palms. The trail took us to a clear spot in the middle of the forest. It was a swamp full of giant lily pads and wading birds! It was surprising to see lily pads in the middle of a forest ruled by giant trees and vines and epiphytes. Most trees are fruiting at this time and very often they host large flocks of fruit eaters, some are the amazing and colorful macaws! The rivers are teeming with wading birds, fish and pink dolphins.
