Manu 2

ihana.com - travels - peru 2000 - manu 2

We made camp near one of two lakes which contains giant otters.  These are extremely rare creatures and we didn't manage to see any on our first walk through the jungle to the lake.  We did see lots of other things during our frequent day and night treks.   I found the different trees pretty interesting - they were easy to photograph too as they didn't move much!

Monkeys were quite common, although often easier to hear rather than see.  We spotted some wooly monkeys and some other smaller ones and spider monkeys too.   Once they pissed down on us from the trees above and another time one of them threw a huge fist-sized fruit, missing one guys head by a fraction.

You little monkey!

We went for a trip on the giant otter lake, rowing a raft along its length to see if we could spot any of them.  Just as we started to give up hope we saw 3 heads moving quickly through the water.  We paddled frantically after them and managed to see where they went.  We'd found the nest area.   Keeping a good distance away we saw 8 otters in total, adults and young.  They looked like seals in size and made funny noises.

Staying in tents in the jungle is not the insect infested nightmare you might imagine.  Taking simple precautions like wearing long sleeves, long trousers tucked into your socks and boots gives a lot of protection.  I also used a 35% DEET insect repellant called 'Repel' which worked perfectly (on the bits where it was applied).  The mozzies are still around but none of them land on you and theres hardly more than in any european forest.  Nightime is great.  You can hear the monkeys and god knows what else crashing about only a few metres from your tent.   I had to get out to piss at about 2am - I could hear things all around me.....it didn't take long before I was back in the tent!   We went for a few nighttime walks and spotted big spiders, a giant millipede and very other unusually shaped insects.    One of the most awe inspiring sights was when we went to the otter lake and walked out on the small jetty.  The phosphorescent fireflies and beetles were moving around on the reeds below, while up above were the most stars I've ever seen.  I just sat there and tried to take it all in, listening to the sounds of the nocturnal frogs and insects.

Airport, business class!	Landing
Sorted!	Broccoli jungle	Landing at Cuzco

When it was time to go back we, together with 3 others from our group, were dropped off at Boca Manu 'airport'.  There was a grass landing strip and a little hut, no check in desk, x-ray machine or passport control.    The plane, a Twin Otter, soon arrived and we got onboard.  It was cramped but we were sat right at the front so we could see what was going on in the cockpit.  I entertained the other passengers with some serious jungle aromas...

Landing in Cuzco, it was time for a night out and then we were off  white water rafting.

All pictures copyright ihana.com 2000 unless otherwise stated.