Up in the trees
Up in the trees
We got up at 5:50 AM to the sound of birds and bugs. Breakfast at 6:30 was followed by a hike to the canopy walk at 7:05AM. It was a 30-40 minute hike through the jungle on a wet and muddy trail to canopy walk. Walking sticks were absolutely essential. The hike was through dense vegetation in heat and high humidity. Lots of sweating. The tree canopy walkway consists of narrow suspension bridges with netting and rope rails that are about 120-130 feet off the ground. The walkways are connected to 14 platforms from which to observe the treetops. The bridges were built in 1991 for scientific observations and later were used for tour groups. The long bridges were about 100-125 feet long with lots of sway. They were somewhere between scary and terrifying! The platforms were sturdy and built around large trees. They provided a stable spot to stand and observe and some time to relax before taking on the next suspended walkway. The safety rules called for no more than 4 people on a platform at a time and no more than 3 people, even spaced, on a walkway at a time. I really preferred to be on the walkways alone to reduce the additional sway. From the observation platforms we say one lizard, a dragon fly, some unusual foliage, and a few flowers. No animals or birds.
The hike back from the canopy walk was also muddy and challenging but it was on steady ground. The pace was too brisk to really see the jungle. If you don’t watch where your feet are going you can get caught up or tripped in mud, roots, sticks, etc. along the trail. We got back to the lodge about 11:00 after visiting a shaman first who explained some about local medicinal plans and demonstrated a healing ceremony.
We had lunch about noon and I caught up on these journal entries. We decided to skip the optional piranha fishing expedition on a small wooden canoe. Our plan was to take a nap and recover from the morning’s activities. Nice idea, a nap, but it didn’t work. It was too hot and too noisy especially with people talking loudly. Washed out some quick dry underwear but it took two days for it to be dry enough to wear.
Took another cold shower. It is not “invigorating” or “refreshing” as noted in the trip brochure, it’s just plain cold! Dinner was at 6:00 – fish, vegetables, and caramel flan. We tried “Pisco Sours” before dinner. They are sort of daiquiris with foam (from egg whites). They are cold and made in a blender with ice but we were assured that the ice is made from purified “tourist water”. We went to bed about 9:00. It rained a lot tonight.
Helen’s Journal
Wednesday, Oct 11, 2006