Early this morning we had a different twist for our traditional, short pre-breakfast skiff exploration. Instead, we had a longer pre-breakfast departure with a later, full served breakfast onboard the skiffs. No need to waste time returning for breakfast onboard! And more to time to explore farther and deeper into the jungle, at the ideal time of the day.
The morning exploration was great, and the weather was perfect! Bright blue skies, with golden low light filtering through the vegetation. A photographer’s ideal setting!
Visiting the National Reserve of Pacaya Samiria, we could see how conservation here in Peru works with the local communities. At this time of the year when the water is low, river turtles nest on the exposed muddy and sandy beaches. Turtle eggs are considered a delicacy, and in the past, local people from this economically depressed area would over-collect all of the eggs, with no regard for the future of the different turtle species. Today there is a quota for the people of this area. The park rangers located on key points, monitor the extraction of the eggs and the collectors with permits are the most interested in protecting the limited resource.
After a great lunch in the afternoon, we explored some more in a different section of the Pacaya Samiria Reserve. Our skiffs took us to the Yanayacu Lagoon for a swim with pink dolphins in the dark tannin rich water. Probably the best sighting of wildlife this afternoon was a group of the prehistoric looking birds called hoatzins. The hoatzins were the delight of our photographers, as they permitted our boats to get really close.
We returned back to the Delfin II in time for a shower and another incredible dinner.
