Return from Rurrenbaque
Trip Start
Aug 10, 2006
1
11
20
Trip End
Oct 12, 2006
Rurrenbaque, Bolivia
Monday, September 11, 2006
After our last days together in La Paz, we are now sadly sin-Yael (without Yael) who has gone south to Uuyni to see the Salt flats whilst we went to do the Amazon.
We have just returned from Rurrenbaque this morning back in the dizzy heights of La Paz (we are too short of breath to do anything so have decided to internet).
Our trip to the Amazon started off with a delayed flight (because of poor weather) but were lucky enough to make it out of La Paz after a 6 hour wait. Rurrenbaque turned out to be a refreshing change with much greenery and balmy nights to sip a cocktail or two... After a spaghetti chunder by Anji and a yet again nauseous Sam (lots of turbulence on the plane) we rested for one night. We then headed 5 hours upstream through the Rio Beni and Rio Tuichi before we arrived at Chalalan ecoresort amidst the Madidi National Park (featured in National Geographic 2001 and National Geographic Traveller 2004).... hectares of pristine Amazonion rainforest set upon Chalalan lake. After being served grapefruit juice upon our arrival, we then had a chilled out swim in Chalalan lake (only to be told later that there are numerous Caiman but have never attacked any humans at the resort!)...
During our stay in Chalalan, we were lucky enough to see a whole host of wildlife including Capuchin monkeys, yellow squirrel monkeys, red brocket deer, caiman, capyrman ? (worlds largest rodent that looks like a big guinea pig), taratulas, frogs, macaws, woodpeckers, toucans, and too many other birds of which names escape me!
Sore and tired from many jungle walks and being caught in Amazonian downpour (yes it soaked through our rain jackets!), and having the lack of clean clothing to wear, it was time to depart this magical place, which has interesting history - its set up initially funded by the American International Conservation Society to help the nearby community of San Jose to develop the base and skills to make this a successful tourist attraction. This resort is now totally owned by the San Jose community who derive a significant portion of their income from this eco-lodge. It is further made more remarkable by the incredibly knowledgable local guides who have largely taught themselves English! Anyway, enough rambling in a nutshell but certainly a highly recommended trip - as written in National Geographic, that you are more likely to see wildlife here than any other Amazonian forest!....
Anji now flies out tomorrow to Sao Paulo, whilst we fly out of here to Santiago on the 13th and then to Buenos Aries on the 14th!
Piccies to follow chicadees (am too short of breath to walk back to the hotel at the moment to fetch camera and cable)....
lots of love
sam, hunter and anji
xxxxx
