Quito to the Anakonda
Our Adventure Guide Juan is from one of the nine indigenous groups of the Amazon River Basin. He comes from very humble beginnings and more or less fell into the tourism economy. of Ecuador. To reach his home he can charter a small plane, or get a lift to a military base and then walk three days to his village. His family is large and his brother directed him to higher education, which eventually lead him to where he is today. He is an excellent naturalist guide.
The owner of the Anakonda, “ Cappie” is onboard. He designed this boat and it is perfect in so many ways.
At the airport we received our boarding passes and proceeded through security. After security we had access to the COPA Airlines lounge. Here more food and drink were made available.
The flight to Coca is a very quick 39 min on an Airbus 320. Up on arrival at the airport we were directed to small busses for a 5 min ride to the Napo River. Here our luggage was transferred to a motorized canoe for its journey to the Anakonda river boat, The group was divided into two motorized canoes for our trip down river to meet the Anakonda, The river journey takes about 1.5 hours as the river channel is winding and filled with shallows and snags.
Soon we arrive and board the Anakonda. We were treated with cool washcloths to freshen up our arrival. This a beautiful boat with 4 decks, Deck one has a reception area and the dining room and the meeting area for our excursions. Deck two is comprised of staterooms and a small ships boutique. Deck three is a lounge area and a few staterooms, The lounge is where we receive briefings for the days activities. Deck 4 is the sundeck with a jacuzzi tub.
The staterooms have names of the different animals we may encounter in the Amazon, We are in the Toucan room. There are no room keys as each room has a touch pad entry lock with a 4 digit code. The staterooms are well pointed with a large floor to ceiling window, a queen bed and chairs and sitting area. A closet large enough for hanging and stowing your clothes. The bath is very nice with very modern shower. The shower has a hand wand, over head deluge head , and side shower heads.
Then was lunch of Mahi Mahi with shrimp and rice and a vegetable. Excellent.
Next was the mandatory safety drill, after which we made our way to the sundeck to view birds.
The we gathered in the lounge for a briefing on the Amazon. Learning many facts about the river and it;s people and place in the local and global environment. We also received a briefing about our night walk and the next days activities,
In addition to our Adventure Guides there are several naturalist guides from the Anakonda assisting in our experience while onboard. They are very knowable and eager to share their experience and knowledge.
After the briefing we are back to the Sundeck looking for birds. Here we continue to have many good bird sightings which included and not limited to , Osprey, Swallows , Heron, Vultures, Snowy Egrets, Weavers, Macaws and the sound of the Howler monkey.
We soon gather again in the lounge to formally welcomed aboard by the captain. The we have diner. There was a choice of a pasta, chicken, or baked pork with a passion fruit sauce. There was also a salad and a very nice potato soup. Desert was a crape with ice cream and chocolate sauce. Again simply excellent.
We then gear up for a short canoe ride and our night walk. This is a short walk on a nice wide two track road. Here we encounter Night hawks cayman, walking sticks all three , scorpion, tarantulas , tree frogs, dragon flies, grasshoppers, butterfly.
Back on board we stow our rubber boots and clean up, wash clothes , and call it a night.
The internet is rather spotty and these reports may be spotty.
Sounds like the beginning of a wonderful trip.
ReplyDeleteA very good trip
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