What’s Up?
The Bad News
My Peru adventure has not gotten off to the greatest start. I followed up a so-so pelagic trip on DAY 1–“You shoulda been here last week!” with a so-so day of photography at Pucasana. Then things got worse. I flew from Lima to Puerto Maldonado and was stuffed into a small, old, rusted out work truck with broken seats and no shock absorbers. My gear was thrown into the back of the open truck with big containers of gasoline, water and supplies. I was stuffed into the back seat where my knees were up against the seat in front of me and there was place for my feet to go. After 2 hours and 15 minutes of pure torture we arrived at the boat dock. All the gear was loaded onto the riverboat and after a five-minute ride was got to the steep mud steps that led up to the lodge.
No AC of course and hotter than that proverbial place. Oh, did I mention that there was no fan? Lots of bugs though. The food was fair at best. I woke at 3:50am for the boat ride to the famed clay lick, rife with macaws and parrots. After the more than two hour boat trip (easy access according to the guy that organized the trip) it was just a short walk to the clay lick. I did see a very few macaws and parrots fly by but none ever came down to the clay walls. None as in zero. “When the rainy season begins the macaws do not come to the clay lick.” Previously from the tour organizer, “All big macaws are here in good numbers (Blue-and-Yellow, Scarlet and Red-and-Green; as well as Chestnut-fronted and Red-bellied and many other parrots and parakeets). In addition, the promised photography on the lodge trails was nonexistent.
I did get a fairly decent image of a Sand-colored Nighthawk from the boat; that was it for the two days. It is a good thing that I am a lover of what is.
My Xtrahand vest was occupied by about 10,000 ants and when I arrived at the stop-over hotel in Puerto Maldonado I learned that about half of them had found their way into my suitcase 🙂
The Good News
I am feeling pretty good. My third cold is just about gone. And things are bound to get better as I head up to Manu National Park, Cock of the Rock Lodge, and Amazonia Lodge. I hope …
Later and love and please remember to use my B&H affiliate links.
You will have much better luck at Manu, Cock of the Rock lodge and Amazonia lodge; the accommodations are very lovely.
You got through what hopefully is the worst and it appears you are remaining the Happy Camper we all know and love! Enjoy each day for what it is!
I also would like to know the name of the operator.
I have to learn to love what is. I usually do, but not always. Safe travels and good photography to you.
Remember that it’s always darkest before…it’s pitch black. At least you have great company to suffer with!
I am sure there is a great photo op as a reward for your pain.. Get back safely. Many of us depend you your many services
Really sorry to hear about your misfortune. Best of luck and great picture making as always.
Be sure to bring back a bunch of those ants for my collection! Peru has some interesting species.
Hope all your bad stuff is over and you have a great and happy trip. All the best.
I hope they don’t charge extra for the ants.
Hey if you love the downs as well as the ups, then every trip is a good one.
Take care of that cold.
Tony
What an adventure. Hope the next part of your trip makes up for the last part. Love your positive attitude.
It’s all behind you now:)
Please let me know who that particular tour operator was, so that I can avoid him when I plan my visit next year.
I hope you have all the bad stuff behind you! It can only go up from here.
🙂
a
What an adventure! Glad you are staying positive!
Always 🙂
a
Sounds like it can only get better from here!
🙂
a
Oh man!!! I wish you better luck the rest of the trip. Take care.
Tanks Juan!
later and love, artie