Puerto Maldonado

Thursday and a 7:45am pick up for the airport.  We checked our bags headed to the gate ready for our 9:55 departure - after a little wait it seemed there was a delay with the flight- we weren't sure what or how long- but an on time departure was not in the cards.  Then 20 minutes later the gate was opened and we boarded! Up and down- the flight was 40 minutes and then we landed in the thick of the jungle. It was hot and the humidity hit us like a brick wall. Victor- who was to be our guide of the next 4 days was there to greet us, with a smile.  Bags all loaded we bumped down the dirt roads to the Inotawa offices for check in.  We dropped off our big bags and then prepared for the 1 hour drive to the river, over dirt roads with potholes the size of small swimming pools!  We drove through banana fields, papaya groves, and so much green jungle and red sand.  Then we were at the boat launch, and the long Amazon type boat that was to take us to the lodge.  Making a rocky entrance we sat on either side of the boat- life jackets on and we were off up river.  Victor handed each of us a leaf and water for lunch?  We opened the leaves and they were filled with a delicious  rice and bean  dish that we all wolfed down in no time- our first "jungle food' experience. Then we sat back and watched the big from river pass us by- looking for signs of life.  In 45 minutes we were at a set of stairs going up?  We de-boated and up the stairs - a path lay ahead that was muddy and full of bugs- we were truly in the jungle.  A short walk and we were at Inotawa Lodge- a welcome drink of passion fruit greeted us, followed by a short tour of the place. Victor showed us the rubber boots and told us to choose a pair as they would be ours for the next 4 days, the restaurant - with 24 hour coffee and water and then our rooms.  The girls had their own room next to ours- although the roofs were open so it was like they were in our room. There is no electricity or power until 6pm each night so we had no wifi and no power- what to do??? We all picked a hammock, a book and settled in for the afternoon. At about 4:30 we started getting ready as Victor was taking us on our first walk.  Bug sprayed, long sleeves, flashlights and rubber boots- we were ready for this. And we were off- thank goodness for the boots it was so muddy- the perks of visiting in the rainy season. We had about an hour walk and saw some really cool plants, tarantulas, army ants, stick bugs to name a few- at the end of the trail we turned the lights off and watched the fireflies dance- so beautiful.  Back to the lodge and dinner was at 7:30. It was a simple dinner- pasta, sauce, salad, with a starter of rice soup and a dessert of fried plantains in caramel. All meals are with your guide - which was great as we talked about the day and then plans for the next. Tomorrow we are going fishing.