This is an agouti. There were several of the roaming around at any given time, waiting for food to drop that they can snatch up.
We said our good-byes to Julio last night at dinner. He had already been assigned a new group to herd around for the next 3 days, so we weren't going to see him again. He really was awesome, and I will be sure to mention that in my Trip Advisor review.
He also did finally confirm with the Corto Maltes' office that the problem last Saturday (Jungle Day 1) was something to the effect of: actually, the office *had* sent a bus to pick us up, but it broke down, and the bus driver didn't call it in, so they sent the cab {but only after somebody called them and told them we were stranded}. Also, they really did know we were coming {even though at the time they stated outright that they didn't know we were coming and had no reservations for us}. And the flight was just fine {even though possibly for a minute there we *didn't* have flight reservations, but it's ok now, they fixed it}.
And yes, We're on flight 2074, as I thought.
The wifi was acting up again in the evening - giving the impression that it's up, but it's not. Shortly around 8:00 it just disappeared altogether, making it very difficult to write and post a blog.
There was nothing on our schedule for this morning other than have breakfast, pack up, get on the boat and leave. We got to sleep in! Woohoo!
Except that the jungle woke me up at about 5:30 a.m. And I really couldn't go back to sleep. Even more annoying - the temperature was finally at some comfortable level, but I still didn't sleep well. Everything was now just damp and clammy.
There is one bird that makes the most amazing sound - hard to describe, it bops, beeps, and clicks. I really want to find that call and turn it into a ring tone.
So we packed up, took showers, sat in the front porch looking for non-existent wifi, and waited for our turn to go.
Very interesting experience - I wish it had gone better. *IF* we had had complete information we might have been able to make better decisions/choices as to how to deal with the situation. Ah well.
{Also probably not too likely that I would do this kind of thing again.}
The boat left right on time. We were met at the dock in Puerto Maldonado by Cynthia from the office.
Oh so here's a photo of that infamous plank we had to walk to get off the boat:
Yes this is a little nerve wracking when you have no sense of balance.
We stopped off at the market in Puerto Maldonado:
Where we tasted Brazil nuts, as well as other local items.
This is "downtown" Puerto Maldonado:
In reality, the rules of the road are just suggestions.
And then off to the airport.
I did have to check my walking stick again. From here on out, my big suitcase will be coming with me as checked luggage, so my walking stick will always be someplace safe.
The line for the security screening was ridiculously long - this airport is so dinky, there's only 2 gates. And one bag scanner. Which was broken. So all carry on bags had to be searched one by one by hand. A quick 45 minutes later and we were through!
With granola bars and crackers for lunch, we waited to board. Unlike Saturday's flights, today's flights were actually both on time and we arrived 10 minutes early.
Deborah met us as we exited baggage claim. She pulled the van around while we retrieved our big suitcases from storage at the airport hotel. We were both soooooo looking forward to taking off the hiking boots and changing into non-jungle clothes. Our hiking boots were leaving a trail of dry mud everywhere we went. And my hair is just nasty (there are spots that actually never dried over the last 3 days).
Endless Lima traffic later, we were at the Hilton. We met Danny who will be our tour guide for the rest of the trip.
The hiking boots are off, the jungle pants swapped for jeans. I'm going to try to wear sandals as much as I can the next couple of days to let my feet recuperate from 3 days in jail.
This hotel is 180 degrees opposite from where we were this morning. The difference is almost jarring.
Oh yes, and now I'm cold. This is late winter for Lima - 65 degrees and gloomy (though it never rains). Spring begins on September 23.
We had dinner at a restuarant literally 1/2 block away - "Amaz". The menu was "jungle food" - an apt homage to the end of our jungle experience. The food was *fantastic*. We shared a series of dishes (kinda like tapas, but not) - some with chicken, duck, and some kind of white fish, with turmeric rice on the side. For dessert - Pisco chocolate cake and ice cream.
So, we are back in civilization. Tomorrow we meet the rest of the tour group - apparently there are 37 people on this tour. Wow, a big group.
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