Top 5 Thrills of Our Amazon Adventure
We sailed the tea-colored waters with Expedição Katerre Ecoturismo and could not recommend them more. This portion of our trip was perfectly planned by Our Whole Village.
Our journey through the Amazon was nothing short of a pinch-me 5 days, weaving together nature's wonders and heart-pounding thrills. Here, are the top 5 moments that defined our Amazonian adventure.
1. Nighttime Alligator Encounter:
Under the deepest darkness I've ever seen, we set out to learn about alligators:
We headed out on a tin boat with our guide up front and someone driving.
Our guide made these sounds that help bring alligators to the surface and then used a flashlight to find their glowing eyes (which helps him to determine the size of the alligators).
He then signaled the boat driver to cut the motor. In a swift move, he leaped from his seat, extending out the front of the boat, and emerged holding a two-year-old alligator that he had just plucked from the inky water!
2. Jungle Trek and Survival Skills:
Venturing into the dense Amazonian jungle was both exciting and educational. As we navigated through the dense foliage, our guide introduced us to inventive ways of survival, from using an ant colony for natural bug repellent to mastering jungle skills like making animal calls with leaves and a machete.
We saw so many wonders of the jungle, including açai trees, tarantula nests, and jungle cat paw prints. We explored caves that are submerged during the rainy season, including a bat cave, and learned to climb trees by making rope out of leaves. This jungle trek was a perfect blend of adventure, discovery, and immersion into the unique ecosystem of the world's largest rainforest.
3. Piranha Fishing Triumph:
With pieces of steak on hooks, we cast our lines into the mysterious waters. The excitement was palpable as we cast our lines, eagerly awaiting the response from these river predators.
I successfully hooked nine piranhas, including three sizable ones that we later had for dinner. Owen reeled in six smaller piranhas that were released back into the water and Dave managed to catch a catfish, which we, too, returned to its home.
In a unique gesture, the chefs skillfully extracted the teeth from my three catches, and presented them to me as a memorable trophy from our piranha fishing adventure.
4. Exclusive Access to Guariba Waterfall:
Navigating the rapids and unveiling the hidden marvel of Guariba Waterfall in Jáu National Park was a moment of pure awe. We did not see a single other person in the park. Our guide maneuvered our tin boat up rapids, through the challenging currents, and around rocks, before delivering us to a secluded patch of waterfalls where we swam and played.
5. Cultural Immersion in an Indigenous Village:
Visiting the indigenous community of Myry, a village of approximately 50 people, gave us a profound cultural experience. Meeting with their president was enlightening. She graciously shared insights into their self-sufficient lifestyle and the importance of education in preserving their rich heritage. Despite external perceptions of poverty, she expressed a profound sense of richness within their community. Their lack of traditional currency is compensated by the abundance of fish in the rivers and food from the land.
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