Pucallpa, Peru
10° 32' S 76° 46' W
Aug 15, 2006 16:10
Distance 172km

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Across the Andes and into the Amazon

Text written in: English

We made it to the airport at 8:30 for our 10:00 flight.  Now, where exactly will I find my luggage?  Is it really here?

Thankfully, after a little run around, I was reunited with my luggage.  It would not have been pretty if I had to try to shop in Pucallpa - most of you know how I hate to shop!

Our flight took us over the high, barren with some snow caps, Andes mountains opening up into the Amazon valley with the Amazon tributaries snaking through the jungle.  It was such a weird feeling seeing that huge, brown snaking river beneath us!  We landed safely.... to be greeted by quite a welcoming committee of Shipibo Indians and the Department of Tourism.  We didn't know that we would be such celebrities!

We piled into trucks and went to our "hotel" to get checked in.  It was a "moderate" class hotel by Peru standards, but a 1 star by US standards.  It had a pool, pool table, and a sink, toilet, shower, fan, TV, basic beds in the room.  The toilets (if available) don't have toilet seats - interesting!  Not bad for 35 soles per night per room (about $11) - shared by 2 people.  I shared a room with Monique. 

It was around 87 degrees and humid, but not as hot as I expected.  We rested, swam then went for a brief tour to the lake front for lunch.  The place was very nice, open air, wooden floors with good food.  Great fish here as well as juices.  Had camu camu juice a lot.  It is almost 100 percent vitamin C.

The Department of Tourism became our guides.  No one really spoke much English and since Paola didn't make it, we got a young 16 year old boy from across the street to be our interpreter.  Frank learned English at the British school and did a fantastic job.  He helped us for a few days - even skipped school to help.  His parents thought this was a once in a lifetime experience for him!  He was fantastic - handsome, smart, charming, great manners......

 

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Lake Yarinocha Boats to San Francisco Hotel Pool Our Humble Hotel Room Lunch at the Lake Shore Main Road Darling Children Pool Table Outside our Hotel Room Most Popular Means of Transportation
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