Why is it called the Rain Forest?

Because it rains a lot as we discovered on our three day trip to the Tambopata River where we stayed at lodge called Refugio Amazonas.  To get there we had to fly from Lima to Peurto Maldonado via Cusco. Unfortunately our flight was late and so after a 45 minute journey by bus to the dock, a two and a half hour trip on a motorised canoe and then a muddy 15 minute walk we arrived in total darkness just in time for a cold shower in pitch black as there is no hot water or electricity

 in any of he rooms.  However we were in time for dinner.  As there is no road access to the lodge all food and drinks have to be brought by boat.  On our second night we were dismayed to find they had run out of vino blanco but delighted on the third night to find they had obviously had a delivery.  The bad news was, that it was only one bottle.

The only electric lights available are in the main lodge and then they are all turned out at 9.30pm and so it was early nights.  As you will see from the photograqph rooms are open to the rain forest on one side and so mosquito nets were essential.  However that didn't stop us from getting bitten to bits and we were both also stung by bees.

During the day we took part in a series of wet and muddy hikes some also included travel by canoe to more remote locations but all included the vital ingredient of decent wellington boots which were essential. We climbed a 25 foot viewing tower, observed many very colourful birds and butterflies, waited and watched at clay licks for macaws (which never came) and wild pigs (which did).  On our hikes we also came across frogs of all sizes and spiders of the larger variety - HJ was relived that snakes were not in evidence.  We also had nightly hiks to pick out the red eyes of the caiman (alligators).