Today in the morning we visited a colorful and lively Amazon human settlement, Amazonas Community. We were able to see the houses and the normal lives of their inhabitants. We listened to some local representatives speaking about “Minga Peru,” as well. The latter is a local nonprofit organization founded in 1998 whose mission is to promote social justice and human dignity, primarily for women and families in rural communities of the Peruvian Amazon. Leadership training, radio programming, natural resources management are some of their main projects in the area. Once onboard at around 11:15 a.m. we had a very special celebration. The ship was located in the famous confluence of the Marañon and Ucayali Rivers, geographical place where the Amazon River takes its name. With a regional toast in hand we commemorate this special event. We spent the rest of the afternoon exploring Clavero Lake. Some guests went swimming in the early afternoon. They experienced the warm and placid waters of this remote oxbow lake. Either by skiff rides or by kayaking our guests observed many bird species and some monkey troops. For many, as they commented to me later, the most spectacular sightings were in fact the astonishing green and thick landscapes that were a delight to their eyes.
5/31/2025
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Delfin II
Marayali River, Amazonas Village, Peru
Leaving Delfin II at 06:00 for our morning skiff ride, we explored the Marayali River. The birds were up and working on obtaining breakfast while the three-toed sloths chose to sleep the morning hours away. On our way back to the ship, we encountered a snail kite having its namesake prey for breakfast right in front of us! The rest of the morning was spent at Amazonas Village getting an introduction to life along the river. Demonstrations of how to get sugar water out of cane, how to make and dye fiber for baskets and other items, as well as food preparation were given. We chatted with children who had monkeys as pets! Our evening was topped off by a toast to the beginning of the actual Amazon River, where the Marañon and Ucayali Rivers converge. Salud! This is my final daily expedition report as a full-time Lindblad employee. I am retiring after 21 years as a National Geographic certified photo instructor and naturalist, ready to begin a new life of travel and exploration. I want to give a big thank you to all of those Lindblad guests whom I have traveled with over the years, and I will leave you with these words: Travel as often as you can, as far as you can, for as long as you can. May God and your luggage be with you!
