Rain on the Amazon River (continued)

Leticia, Colombian Amazon

5-9 June 2010

River Cargo and Passenger Boat Leticia (Colombia) to Iquitos (Peru)

9-12 June 2010

Iquitos, Peru

12 June - now

   These photos are from the journey up the river from Santa Rosa (Leticia) to Iquitos. I met Julian in Iquitos and he was going the same direction so, being that the boats are known for theft and digestive problems (from the food), we teamed up to share the burden of looking after things and us. We didn´t have any problems and found the trip really cruizy. Julian was also great company.

First glimpseof the boat Julian and I thought it looked pretty rough, but we soon learnt it was one of the better ones.

Logging from the Amazon.

Julian and I arrived in Santa Rosa to board the boat while it was there, but it hadn't finished it's previous journey. It had to still go down to Icelandia (spelling might be wrong) to drop more passengers off and then back again to Santa Rosa to load up. But they let us on and come for the ride anyway. By doing this we made friends with the crew. Barman Francisco was continually nice to us, shouting me soda´s (like this bimbo).

The first morning the boat stopped at Caballo Cocha and Francisco went ashore to buy special fish from the area, which he then cooked for the staff and for Julian and I. It´s a bottom feeder, so rather muddy, but quiet tasty.

The boat is 2 floors of hammocks and 1 floor of cargo. Passage, including meals for the 3 nights, 2 days, was about $25.

Everyone has to buy their own hammock... Julian bought a cheapie for $11, I bought a pretty one that was bigger (to lie diagonally, as I heard it was the trick) for $15.

One of many towns along the Amazon.

The front view of our boat, the Gran Diego. From those from balconies I saw many grey river dolphins and just one pink one.

Church in Caballo Coche.

Locals meeting on the river edge.

One on the larger towns on the river, Veras. The third from the left is for sale. River views I guess, sometimes with the river right underneath.

Note the dunny (toilet), dumps right into the river or onto the ground, depending on the season. This is still in  Veras.

Rainbow over the Amazon.

Julian entertaining kids on the boat (Valentine and Stephanie) by getting them to communicate with Aliens using his special equipment.

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There goes the Amazon Jungle.