Puerto Maldonado and the Amazon Basin
June 25, 2009
23.06.2009
We flew today from Cusco to the town of Puerto Maldonado in the Amazon Basin. This is a view from the airplane of the Tambopata River (the river our lodge was located next to). 
We arrived at the very, very small airport. 
Our guide Johnny picked us up at the airport. We went to the jungle with Bob and Marina, friends we met on our tour of the Inca Trail. In town, we went to the market. They sold everything there including great fruits. 
In town, everyone rode motorcycles. There were as many as 4 people on a regular motorcycle. Our favorite was a big yellow lab sitting in front of his owner as they rode down the road.
Next we saw the Tambopata River. This river joins Madre de Dias and then flows into the Amazon. 
We dropped some of our bags off at the lodge office. At the office, the owner was there with her pet monkey, Macarena. She was so cute! 
We took a motorized canoe for 2 1/2 hours to get to our jungle lodge, the Cayman Lodge.
On our way, we saw a cayman. These animals look like small, white alligators. It is on the bank in this picture. 
We arrived at the lodge and it was very nice. It was very beautiful and peaceful. The room was nice and we had our own bathroom.
Alan on the walkway to the main part of the lodge.
At the lodge, we relaxed on these great chairs and watched the boats on the water. 
That night we took a night hike with our guide. He pointed out different insects and plants. It was very neat to be in the jungle at night.
Here is the tarantula we saw:
