Amazon II

Due to my lack of time we decided to combine what would be two days on the tour into one day so I could get a taste for all there was on offer in the Amazon. But it meant a long day. We started early and headed into the Amazon again. This time Abelardo's father, the tribe's shaman or herbal doctor, accompanied us as well. As we walked through he would stop and explain the uses of various plants, ranging from posion used to shoot monkeys, and plants to make the darts to shoot them. He also showed me rubber trees and a whole range of medicinal plants used for conditions as diverse as maleria, diabetes, hepatitis, prostrate problems, muscular pain, arthritis, asmtha, bronchitus, rashes, ulcers and scorpion bites. “We have our own pharmacy in the jungle”, Wilson beamed.

We stopped for lunch at a small waterfall (a rarity in the Amazon) where Domingo and Abelardo quickly set up a little platform to enable a very refreshing shower with surprisingly clean and clear water. We had lunch, relaxed for a bit and then it was time to start the journey back. Normally a group would stay here and there was a shelter for hanging hammocks and mosquito nets. We headed back a different route, via Butterfly Canyon, where beautiful butterflies flitted up and down. We came across some tiger tracks a couple of times and the usual quiet Domingo suddenly became more animated, issuing forth a couple of 'Hijo de puta's, a phrase I remember from my youth when playing football with Spanish students. We arrived back to the camp, sweaty and tired after abut8 hours of walking, but it was thoroughly exhilarating. After a shower and another fine meal I hit the bed and was asleep in seconds.

- David