Amazon Jungle

Manu National Park

After 2 days of rest in somewhat comfort and civilization, we began our 4 day/3 night trip to Manu National Park, which is part of the Amazon Jungle.  After a long 10 hour bus ride we arrived at our first hostel.  In the pouring down rain, we walked 10 minutes and took a cable car across the bridge to get to the hostel.  It wasn't the most pleasant night, as we all slept in our wet clothes (because the rain had seaped through our backpacks, and got all our dry clothes wet).  The other hostel, where we spent our last 2 nights were much better with somewhat comfortable beds and mosquito nets that actually fit the bed.  

The wildlife we saw in a nutshell:

• cabybara - the largest rodent in the world (a relative of the guinea pig)
• birds - macaws, oropendlas, parrots, cock of the rock (national bird), yellow fly catchers, cardinals, stink birds (that looked like pheasants)
• night walk - spiders/spider webs, frogs (one laying eggs), huge ants, stick bugs. It was just nice being in the jungle and listening to the sounds of nature.
• all sorts of trees (being among the most variety of trees I've ever been), some with roots taller then me

The last morning we went to the claylick, where we saw parrots, macaws, and other beautiful colored birds. The minerals from the clay are a huge supplement for the diet of these birds. 

on the boat to our hostel

  

how serious do i look with my irrigation boots & binoculars

leaf cutter ants

how we passed our nights without electricity

cloud forest

coral tree

small "boat ride" 

stink birds

cabybara

mocaw

a random picture (not from the jungle), but 3 ladies sitting watching a parade in Cusco