The jungle lodge, Ceiba Tops, was scheduled to pick us up at 9:30am so we decided to get a quick excursion in beforehand. We had read about the shanty market of Belen, which is home to the famous floating village known as the Little Venice of the Amazon. We had hoped to fit it in the first day, but we were advised not to go anywhere near the place after 5pm when the police leave.
We found mototaxis outside of the hotel and paid them $1 each to take us to the port of Belen. There we found a pair of canoes, powered by what could have been a weed eater, to take us down the river and through the floating village of Belen. This was one of the most memorable excursions for me. I just could not believe my eyes. The waters of the Amazons are at their lowest point this time of the year, so many of the house boats are beached. The stilts of the homes are completely visible and latrines were nothing more than a box to stand in over the river. Women washed clothes next to the latrine, men fished and one woman was even brushing her teeth. I still cannot believe that we were there!
The Sorensons
Check out the stair to nowhere on this Catholic church
Port of Belen from the canoe
So many bananas
Can you imagine hauling bananas on your back for a living?
Other side of the island. These are the beloved mototaxis. I am not sure how they get back to the other side or if they every do because these houses are all floating during in May.
Peyton and Alli
Victoria Regia Lilies can support the weight of an infant.
Is this powered by a lawn mower? Sophia is wondering too.
School Children
Floating Convenient Store
View from the mototaxi. These streets are normally under water. Can you believe that our family of 5 fit in one of these mototaxis?? They were pretty sweet.
When our guide Paul arrived, I felt like some much had already happened. We headed to Ceiba Tops lodge, which is a 45 minute boat ride from Iquitos downriver. We unloaded, unpacked, swam, ate lunch and then went for a hike through the jungle. Paul pointed out much of the flora and fauna and managed to keep the kids interested the entire time. We visited the famed Ceiba Top tree, which reminded us of the tree in the movie Avatar and everyone had a chance to be Tarzan.
My Tarzan Family
Later after dinner, Paul spotted a baby tapir that often hangs out in the jungle around the lodge. What a great way to end the day.
We couldn't believe how close they let the kids get to them. The small deer licked Alli's hand.
Sophia loved petting the wild baby tapir that lives somewhere near the lodge.
What a cute little thing.
1 comment:
Oh, the experiences you're having! How fun!
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