My first major trip in several years that didn't involve a beach resort took me to Peru. I heard from several people that it was the place to go for jungles, mountains, deserts and beaches all packed into a country smaller than Ontario.  I had visions of hiking the Inca Trail to Macchu Picchu and canoeing down the Amazon river.  Some I managed to do, some I didn't.  I also managed to talk my partner-in-crime, Steve "Institutionally Gay" Fowler, into joining me for part of the trip.  True to form, I didn't plan a damn thing about the trip, outside of the flight in and out and just winged it as I went along.
After a typically sleepless overnight flight, I was dumped onto the streets of Lima, not a particularly nice city.  I had decided before landing that I would book a flight to Iquitos to experience the rainforest.  Since the flight didn't leave until the late afternoon, I decided to take a look around the downtown area.  The trip downtown took me through some dodgy areas, but the downtown itself was nice enough, although I had my fill of it after a pretty short time.  This might have had something to do with the sleep deprivation I was experiencing.
 

The large (but apparently friendly) military presence made me wonder if they were there for a reason.  Was I going to stumble into a riot, like I did in Madrid?

I wasn't in Lima long enough to find out, because before long I was on a plane to Iquitos.  Iquitos is a jungle town that can only be reached by river or air.  There are no roads into the town.  It was a surprisingly large city for one so cut off from the rest of the world.  There weren't may cars, but lots of 3 wheeled motorbikes and mopeds, which hinted at the costs of bringing large things into the region.  Upon arrival to the airport, I dutifully lathered myself in bug spray to hopefully ward off the potentially malaria-carrying mosquitoes.  It was late, and I was a bit concerned about finding a place to stay before my trip down the Amazon.  Thankfully, there were lots of tour companies practically begging for my business.  I found the one that caught my eye in my faithful "Lonely Planet" guide that was said to be more authentic and caring of the environment than most. 

After confirming a spot on the next boat out, the trip coordinator offered to take me downtown on his brand-new moped to find a place to stay.  I didn't dare ask what happened to the old one. 

The next thing I know, I was hanging on for dear life as my pilot weaved his way through the night traffic.  My backpack strapped to my back advertised me as a tourist (as if my skin colour wasn't enough).  I marveled when I realized I was in Guelph, Ontario just 24 hours ago.

After booking my trip and sharing a few drinks with the wonderful owners of the Muyuna Lodge tour company, I settled in for the night for some well-deserved sleep.     

The next morning, I got my first real look at Iquitos and what I thought was the Amazon River.  I learned later that I wasn't looking at the Amazon, but more of a lake off the main channel.

My feet make their first of several appearances on this trip.

Before long, we were underway.  I was amazed at the sheer size of the Amazon River.  It reminded me of a large lake up in cottage country, only this lake happened to be 6500 km long. 

Since there are no roads, boats take the place of buses and cars.  I saw many of these things packed with locals travelling up and down the river between towns.

Locals waiting for the next ride.
While my legs (making yet another appearance) were busy getting themselves burned by the tropical sun, my guide (in the stripes), boat driver and other locals basically bumming a ride were smart enough to keep under cover.  I was just too excited by the fact I was actually on the Amazon to really care.

After a 3 hour high-speed boat ride, we veered off the Amazon into a tributary that was much more in line with the Amazon that I always saw in the movies.  Some of the way was so narrow, I wondered if we would run aground. 

After a while, we reached the Muyuna Lodge.  Each room was a separate cabin on stilts connected to one another by elevated walkways. When I arrived, I was the only one there.  I was a bit worried that I'd be alone the entire time, which would kinda suck.

I had lunch and a little siesta before we headed out to the jungle for our first excursion.  I was relieved to find out there were a half dozen other people staying there, but were out in the jungle. 

It was a sweltering day...hot and humid.  What else would you expect? The scenery more than made up for it. Since it was the rainy season, most of our trips were by boat.

On the lookout for wildlife...this ain't no zoo.

Deep into the jungle.

Kids out for the rainy season equivalent of a stroll.

Sloth!!!! Take cover!!!!
We saw lots of wildlife - 4 different kinds of monkeys, sloths and birds, but sadly, no anacondas or Jennifer Lopez fighting a giant one.  Unfortunately, my camera wasn't exactly up to the task of getting anything decent, since we saw most of the animals through binoculars.  Plus, the monkeys just wouldn't sit still for a picture.  The nerve! You can just make out the owl monkey here as he peers inquisitively at our boat. 

Our boat driver, Manuel.

    

We got back to the lodge by about 5pm for dinner.  I was amazed at how quickly and how early it got dark.  Since we were so close to the equator, the sun pretty much rises and sets at 6 each day.  I shared a meal with the other tourists by candlelight (there's no electricity) before turning in fairly early.  I was lulled to sleep by the sounds of the jungle. 

The next morning, I was woken at 6am by violent shaking (OK, so it was mild shaking...violent sounds much better).  I wondered what manner of beast was intent on eating my pasty flesh, before I realized it was just large vultures using my cabin as a temporary roost.  Did they know something I didn't?  Was I destined to be their meal after I get spectacularly killed by some jungle animal?  Not too likely. 

After breakfast, we embarked on another jungle tour - this time to see dolphins.  Dolphins?  In the Amazon?  Apparently so.  We boated out to the mouth of the tributary, turned off the engine and waited.  Sure enough, a trio of dolphins leapt out of the water nearby.  There were several of your typically shaped ones, and a few pink ones, with a much more needle-like snout.  I spent a good amount of time, trying to get a decent photo, but they were so fast, that most of my shots consisted of ripples of water. 

Sadly, this is about the best shot I could get.

It was hot (duuh), so after a bit of prodding - "are you sure there aren't any piranhas?" - I ended up swimming in the Amazon.

Next up was the giant lily pads.  I wonder what size of frog would use this?

Between the grasses.

People in the jungle live very simply. No electricity or running water.

I thought this baby sloth was a doll until we got closer. 

My lodgemates left after lunch that day.  For a while I was the only person there...
..until Nikki showed up. She was a fun Brit who introduced me to the term "mozzie" which was a term we used frequently as we smacked ourselves senseless to keep the little buggers away. 

I was getting tired of being by myself out on my excursions, so it was nice to be able to share it with a fellow traveller.  For the next day, we did all sorts of fun excursions.