Welcome Amazone
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I am so happy I went to the Amazon jungle. For a city girl like moi this was a bloody big step!
They say you need to go far in to have an authentic jungle experience, but for me, being an hour away from the city (about 40km) into the jungle was more than enough.
I must say I was also psyched when I saw I was going to sleep in a wooden cabin and not in a bed and a mosquito net. How are you even able to fall sleep in the latter?
Despite the fact many travellers told me the jungle is not a virgin until you cross more than 50km, I still got to see a lot of creatures. As a first experience, that was more than enough. Tarantulas, Aligators, Monkeys, Tucans...SLOTHS! PINK DOLPHINS! Saw them all. Also, plenty of insects, ofc. No joke I got about 30 bites in one night. DUH. Deet doesn't really work in the jungle peeps, even if it is a 90% one.
Another thing I enjoyed while there was the long canoe rides on the calm river Amazon. Saying hi to locals from boat to boat going home (that is the further inside the jungle) was pretty fun. We also visited a tribe but it was quite sanitised as a lot of tribes live off the government payments these days. Interesting fact: despite knowing about the city, the indigenes prefer living in the wild. They think the city hasn't got much on offer!
By the way, food at the jungle is YUM YUM YUM. I'd probably highlight the chonta (palm tree leaves), which they call the spaghetti of the jungle; and carambola, a very sweet fruit shaped as a star, as my two fave things while there. MMM, my mouth is watering just thinking about it.
You could also try the piranhas we fished! The locals eat pretty much any fish from the river and apparently is very tasty. It's fresh! I think my head could not cope with the idea, so maybe next time.
Oh yes, there will be a next time.
TCB x
Wonders of The World
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Words cannot express how astonishing this place is.
I am not one to believe in supernatural vibes but visiting Machu Picchu (which means 'Old Mountain') and being there for a day was an unforgettable experience, and it definitely made me feel something.
I started my day at 5,30am (bugger!) with a cold shower at what is probably the worst place I have ever stayed in my life (called Los Caminantes, do not ever go there!) and head to get a powerful breakfast. Not only was I going to walk a lot through this Inca civilisation but I was also climbing Wayna Picchu, the hill behind the old town at 2.600m above sea level. BLIMEY! It was so rewarding, though. I was lucky enough to get a ticket to go there as only 400 people a day are entitled to trek it. To be honest with you, I liked that! It is because not many people can access what it used to be an observational lab that it is in pristine condition. And guess what! You can see Machu Picchu from the top. HA!
As I went up the perfectly shaped rock stairs (though steepest and smallest rock stairs ever, even for me!), I felt I reached heaven. Or so I thought, cause I was surrounded by white clouds and I could not see, smell or taste anything else than nature. I couldn't have had it any better.
Walking down the mountain was tough as my legs were like jelly but I managed! My body was hyper for more action and so I got a guide to explain me what all those beautiful inca ruins were. After it I took some time to explore and it was fantastic. So many places to stop and stare and just take in what it is in front of you: one of the few wonders left in this world.
TCB X
