Two Crazy Chicks Productions, in association with WorldWild
PhotoGraphics and What Am I Going to Tell Your Mother? Productions, is proud to
present episode 5 of The Adventures of
Yumiko and Eden in Peru…
Eden
is doing a happy dance on the deck of the catamaran. After one last spin and a celebratory fist pump, she
high-fives a grinning Yumiko.
Though
not quite sure why seeing a pair of scarlet macaws flying overhead generates
this reaction, Miko and Eden’s traveling companions – with the exception of the
guide, non-birders all – are clearly amused by her antics.
Having
no desire to fall into the caiman-infested waters, Eden sits down carefully
before explaining that scarlet macaw had been a “target bird,” one that our
intrepid heroines had tried – unsuccessfully – to get last year in Costa Rica.
The
last of the sun’s rays fall on a small troop of spider monkeys high in the
trees as the boat heads to the dock, ending the adventurers’ third and final
excursion on Cocha Salvador. And though the sandflies are once again out in
force, Miko and Eden are sorry to be leaving this remarkable lake where, just
this morning at dawn, they had watched the resident family of endangered giant
river otters frolic, fish, and feed and saddleback and emperor tamarins leap
through the branches.
Move
on they must, however, and so the next morning the hardy travelers vacate their
little palm-thatched huts, board the boat, and once again take to the Manu
River. On a stop to hike to Cocha Otorongo, they spot dusky titi monkeys,
disturb hundreds of bats roosting under an observation deck, and climb the
stairs to a platform 20 meters high from which they take in the view of the
pristine rainforest.
Once
back on the river, all eyes avidly scan the banks in hopes of seeing a jaguar.
This is the last real chance of seeing the elusive cat. But as the hours wear on and the
temperature rises, their hopes wane.
By
the time they reach Boca Manu, everyone is hot and tired. The gluten-tolerant
among them take enormous pleasure in sipping ice-cold beer purchased from the
tiny village’s store – until the sky darkens ominously and the humid air
becomes heavier and cooler.
What
ensues is a torrential downpour unlike anything our fearless females have ever
experienced. The adventurers
huddle under tarps in a futile attempt to stay somewhat dry as the wind-driven
rain comes down so hard that the Madre de Dios River looks like it is being
pushed back.
It’s
rather exciting – for the first 15 minutes or so.
The
deluge lasts for more than an hour, easing up briefly when the boat disgorges
its damp, cold, bedraggled passengers at Tambo Blanquillo.
José
eyes the sky doubtfully. “Let’s hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow morning.
Otherwise the macaws will not come to the clay lick.”
It’s
too depressing a possibility to contemplate.
©
Eden Feuer
Posts
love your puns!
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