MY GREATEST ADVENTURE
I was never a very adventurous person but the one trip that changed my perception about the adventure is the trip that I took with family down the River Amazon in a boat. What makes the trip immensely exciting is that it is unlike any other cruise in the world and takes one closer to the life, nature, and culture of the flora and fauna along the banks of the great river Amazon. I found the experience as thrilling as the many movies pictured on the adventures of people as they cruised the mammoth river. Every moment captivated me and I was enamored by the culture, wildlife, and excitement in every turn of the world’s most dense rainforest.
As we geared up for the trip I was a little apprehensive about whether it would be too adventurous for a laid back person like me. We took a flight from home to Lima, Peru and from there to the small town of Iquitos which is right inside the rainforest. All my fears were transformed to wonder as I saw the rainforest for the first time. We boarded the cruise in the evening and after a dinner settled down for the night. The sunrise that I woke up to is a sight that I can never forget, the long winding river ahead of me since the bedroom faces the Amazon. Though technically we were on a cruise most of our time was spent on the skiffs which are bigger versions of canoes.
Every morning we would be divided into batches of 30 and loaded into the skiff boats for safaris. It is rightly believed that the Amazon rainforests are a photographer’s dream project. The Tropical landscape, the wildlife, and the river from great visuals and I felt that I had not captured enough photographs. Taking snaps it was a major adventure for me. Some of the animals I saw on the safaris were one’s I never knew existed. They include the pink river dolphin, the three-toed sloth, the squirrel monkeys and the black caiman. The night safari which was offered as part of the cruise was an eerie yet exciting experience. The river is still and quiet but the forest is alive with the night cries of the animals and the flutter of the leaves. The tall trees that tower above you look like monsters in the darkness and there are a million fireflies lighting up the way. That was quite a mesmerizing experience.
Some mornings were quiet and spent on the boat itself where we chilled out and did some bird watching. Most of the birds found in the rainforest are ones which we have never even heard of and many of them are in vibrant colors like parakeets. The flash of color on them is a clear evidence of the creativity of God Almighty. Yet another excitement in the trip was the forest trek through the winding terrains of Amazon rainforests. The trek takes you right into the forest and you get to experience first-hand the stillness of the jungle and also see the flora and fauna there. There were a lot of medicinal plants in the forests and the guide explained that the rainforest is home to many rare species of plants. One exciting part of the cruise was the time when we went piranha fishing. The piranha fish are fish which look monstrous with teeth that are huge for the tiny frame. The manner in which the fish grabs the red meat is an indication of their monstrosity. The kayaking was also fun filled.
