So we went to stay in one of the jungle lodges (we could only easily find one company that did it actually) a couple of days ago. It was pretty good, the boat takes you up the see the meeting of the waters beforehand, which is where the tributary Rio Negro (that Manaus is on) meets the Rio Amazonas. The Negro, of course, is black in colour, while the Amazon is murky browny-gray, and where the water from the two meets, they don't mix because the temperature, velocity and acidity are different. Instead they flow alongside, with a few swirls, for quite some distance.

After the meeting of the waters, the boat took us for the 2.5hr cruise up the Negro then up a much smaller river to the lodge (the river was only 2-3 times wider than the boat that took us). The lodge is like a floating platform with a few cabins and some tables to eat on, and a boat that's permanently docked with hammocks in it that we slept in (the posh kids got cabins!)

When we got there, we unloaded our gear then went piranha fishing on one of the small outboard-powered wooden boats that would become our regular means of transport over the next two days. Unfortunately, me and Sal didn't catch anything, but one of the Brazilians who were just day tripping for the fishing did, and of course our wily guide managed to catch a couple. (He said if we didn't catch anything, we wouldn't have anything for dinner, but it wasn't true!)

After a dinner of fish, rice, beans, potatoes, salad and veges (they had carrots!! MMM CARROTS), we chilled out for a bit and chatted with the other denizens. There weren't that many people there, but luckily most of the other lodgers spoke english - two Irish girls who were in our little 'group' while we were there, and a couple of English blokes. Later on, our guide announced it was time to go find an alligator or two!

Cruising up the river beside the low jungle under a sky lit only by moonlight was quite an experience. After about an hour, we reached the swamp where adult alligators come to lay their eggs, then a few days after they've hatched, leave them to fend for themselves. Our guide used a powerful flashlight to pick out the glowing red eyes at the side of the swamp, then aimed the boat at them, cut off the engine and quickly snatched one up from the front of the boat.

They were only wee babies (adults grow up to 2m in length), big enough to hold their neck with one hand and tail with the other. It was probably a bit of a shock for the poor things being snatched up and subjected to a lengthy examination (the guide pulled their mouths open to show us their teeth, showed us their double lids etc), but all I could think was these are predators in every sense of the word and probably wouldn't be too traumatised - more like very pissed off and secretly vowing that the next time when they're a lot bigger and they see a boat with human-looking things on board, they'll get revenge!!!

On the next day, we went for a hike in the jungle. I got very hot and sweaty, probably more sweaty than I've ever been - the heat and humidity were quite formidable, even in the shade. I was quite disgusting, but so was everyone else - though maybe not quite as bad... anyway, we saw lots of different trees, which the guide told us all the different medicinal etc. uses for by both Brazilians and the indians. The most interesting was probably the fibre tree, which you could machete off strips of the bark and then seperate into strips, which could then be weaved into rope. It was incredibly strong and flexible, and a decent rope would probably hold a lot of weight. The guide tried to make a wristband for one of the Irish girls who he obviously wanted to be his girlfriend... (He'd announced he was looking much earlier)

We also found a big hand-sized Coral Spider in its spider-hole. The guide held it down with a finger so we could all stroke its huge hairy back without it turning around and biting us - its venom can kill a man in 24 hours. Then we went back to the river, where Sal had a swim to cool down before heading back.

Sal decided she loved it so much she wanted to stay another night, but I'm still feeling a bit dodgy with my stomach (diarhea in a jungle lodge with no lights at night isn't too much fun) so I came back yesterday and today I've just been chilling out with Miguel, Christian and Derianne.

Ok, spent way too much time in this net cafe already, and Sal should be arriving back sometime soon, then we have to get some food and head to the airport. Flying back south again tonight - I'm looking forward to a nice cool climate, all this heat and humidity is a bit much! Then again, it is the Amazon equator, doesn't get much hotter & wetter really...

Chau fools!  ¶ 2:46 PM