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Tarapoto is located in the north east of Peru, on the outskirts of the Amazon jungle. The day was hot and humid when we fly in from a mild and overcast Lima, so it was a relief and surprise to find that the Hotel (Nilas) had a cold but refreshing swimming pool on the roof. Exotic eats eaten - Paiche (a big amazon fish) and Agouti. The WhisKY bar, which seemed to be the place to be in Tarapoto, had whisky, table football and pink floyd on the sound system. |
Tarapoto street scene.
The tricycle taxis looked dangerous but fun. The drivers had horns that played all sorts of (mostly annoying) tunes and constantly used them to attract attention and tout for custom. As a result most Peruvian towns have high levels of traffic noise, though you just about get used to it in the end. |
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Bridge to San Antonio.
The start point for white water rafting on the Rio Mayo. Fantastic fun during the rapids and one of the highlights of the entire trip. Whilst swimming during the calmer stretches, the guides decided to mention the piranha and that spined fish that swims up male urethras! At one point we had to paddle madly to rescue half the group out swimming but being swept away by the current towards fast approaching rapids. |
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Path to Ahuashiyacu waterfall.
The footpath up to the las cataratas del ahuashiyacu was picturesque, winding up through cloud forest with the stream from the waterfall running past, with an almost anticipatory atmosphere of cicadas chirping, fresh green scents and the growing sound of cascading water. |
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Ahuashiyacu waterfall.
A near perfect setting in my limited experience of waterfalls. Rocks and vegetation surrounded a shallow pool at the bottom of the waterfall, that was shrivellingly cold but just about bearable if you stayed submerged. A ledge about 10 feet up gave the opportunity to stand behind the waterfall, and jump through it into the pool below. A simple pleasure but sometimes they are the best. |
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