Peru, Amazon Rain Forest - Tambopata Reserve

The Amazon jungle experience began with a flight from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado in Peru. After being so cold in Cusco, I thought it was a great idea to wear some thermals on the flight. As you can imagine, when we arrived I nearly passed out with the heat and humidity, it was so hot that we instantly began sweating from every pore. I ran to the only toilet in the airport to remove some layers, creating a huge queue of angry tourists. Next we made our way on feeble little wooden boats to the reserve which was 2 hrs up river. It apparently hadn't rained in days but according to our guide the rains were coming. After about 40 mins into the journey a huge thunder and lightening storm began chasing us from behind. Strong winds came and the sky turned dark. I don´t know how but we arrived just as the storm hit and I can honestly say I have never seen a storm like it in my life.

The start of our 2hr journey up river. Which boat is ours?

Off we go into the Amazon.

Looks idyllic doesn't it? Not when the only thing you can hear are clicking and buzzing sounds, the only thing you can see are huge insects on the ground and in the air. It was one photo and get me the hell out of there.

The only way to relax in the middle of the jungle is with a cold beer.

Where ever there is light....RUN

Start of our 7 hour trek through the jungle.

Half way through the trek, our guide leads us to a boat filled with water, not a very comforting sight, then we paddled up stream for over an hour.

My best friend.

Comical stick insect

30 metre look out point with great views over the jungle.

On and on....

At one point he said only 500 metres more, I was so delirious with excitement at the thought of us reaching the end that I began to start counting the metres to help get me through it. It was only when we reached the end that I discovered Bruno and a few others were doing exactly the same thing.

Sean these are for you...

Bruno paddling through some of the most amazing scenery. The photos don't do this place justice. I could see vultures, hawks, coloured parrots, huge blue butterflies ( Christina you know what I mean) and the sounds were so loud, you could tell the place was alive.

Dad the bird expert, do you have any idea what this strange looking bird is?

Early morning sunrise.

Our lodge.

Our last day we woke early to discover a lovely tarantula crawling all over our light, it was pretty horrific. We were lying right below it on the bed looking at the ceiling contemplating getting up when from one minute to the next she appeared with her thick black legs.

Bruno in the airport drinking some coke to settle his stomach problems after dodgy jungle food.