The Amazon

Spanning 5.5 million square kilometres and spreading across nine nations, the Amazon rainforest region is undoubtedly one of the greatest wonders of the natural world. Home to thousands of indigenous inhabitants and more than a third of the world’s plant and animal species, it is the largest and most bio-diverse tropical rainforest on Earth. I have to admit, it has been on my bucket list from the moment I learned of its existence as a youngster! Studying Zoology at Uni only escalated my desire to visit this amazing place!

This morning we caught a flight Puerto Maldonado, deep in the heart of the Peruvian Amazon (two very poorly friends in tow). We then boarded a boat for an hour trip
on the Tambopata River to our jungle lodge - Posada Amazonas. It is one of many eco-lodges that have been built and run by the local people. Their priority is to share the Amazon experience fully with visitors while having as little impact on the environment as possible. They do this extremely well, as the lodge was one of the most beautiful accommodations I have ever encountered, despite the lack of a few little luxuries such as air-con.

In the afternoon we went on our first rainforest adventure to the 30m canopy tower, which provided us with spectacular 360 degree views of the forest and river. We were lucky enough to spot a Toucan perched on a branch - something we would have definitely not seen if we had been on the ground!

Back at the lodge, we spotted a family of monkeys on the move! I celebrated our successful animal spotting with a cocktail or two at the lodge bar, before enjoying a delicious buffet dinner.