Nov 8 - I flew through the sky, but not with the greatest of ease



Went to the zip lines today. They haul you up to the top with ropes (these guys have muscles). There were 5 of us, so we had plenty of time to view the top of the canopy while we waited. Soon it was time to take off to the 2nd of 3 platforms. I forgot how scary that first leap into nothingness is. But soon I took off to the 2nd and then the 3rd platform (the 2nd leap was much easier than the first). I know I heard someone scream on both rides and since I was the only one moving, I suppose it was me. Can't say whether in fear or joy. We slid down a rope at the end - straight down. Everyone was laughing when I for down...I had my toes pointed the whole way down. They said I looked very graceful - I guess 5 years of ballet leaves it ingrained forever. What was really amazing was that one of the people with me was a woman in her early 70's (so all you who think you are too old to come next time should reconsider)!



Paca - permanent guest at lodge



After lunch I sat on the end of the dock soaking my feet in the river and watching the butterflies fly around. Two lit on me briefly.

Hike to see Hoatzin

Then it was time for the next excursion - a boat ride and hike to see the hoatzin bird, a large bird unique to the amazon that has its own biological family classification and suborder. After a really crazy hike, Josius, a guide, pointed out a 6 foot long electric eel in a small pool of water. We could only see the head, because it was huge. The rest was under the ground in one of the many waterways that run under the land.

We made it to the bird viewing platform, and saw 2 hoatzin birds, as well as several other types of birds.