The day, that would end on the Amazon, started early in Cusco with a 3:30 alarm, a 4:30 breakfast and a 5:15 departure to the airport.  Enrique had gone to the airport the night before to get boarding passes and luggage tags so all we needed to do on arrival was check our bags.

We had an unexpected upgrade to premium economy seats which meant a little more leg-room, no one in the middle seat, and better snacks. 

The specialty potato chips were quite good and we bought them several times after this introduction.

And in a happy result, the man who was ill in our travel group, felt much better after we landed in Lima.  That “seemed” to confirm the high altitude sickness assumption. 

Many of us had experienced minor symptoms with the high altitude. For most, it was just being aware of breathing as opposed to never thinking about it.  In a personal experience, I was trying to share a contact on my phone – something I have done dozens, if not hundreds, of times.  For some (altitude?) reason, the process was not computing.  It took a little longer, but I did get it accomplished.

Our second flight of the day was from Lima to Iquitos, Peru.

We had a choice in the Lima airport from a variety of American eateries. Our friend, Jocelyn, and I chose Starbucks to get the advertised pumpkin spice lattes.  Despite the advertisement, there was no pumpkin spice.  Habib and Randy got coffee and donuts at Dunkin’. 

When we landed in Iquitos, it was 92 degrees and humid!!  Ugh!  Iquitos is four degrees south of the equator. Iquitos has a population of about 500,000. Tourism is the largest business. 

Our next leg was a bus ride from Iquitos to Nauta, a community right on the Amazon River.  As we boarded, a woman handed us clove scented wash clothes.  That was delightful!! Our Avalon group was combined with 12 additional travelers so we were now a community of 36.

They gave each of us an ice cold water bottle (to keep) with ice cold water and a very nice boxed lunch..

This was our first view of our home for the next THREE nights – the Delfin III.  

We had a short skiff ride out to the ship.

We began in the lounge with an orientation and muster explanation.  We were then set free to, explore, find our cabins and unpack a bit before dinner.

Of course, we went to find our cabin first!

Then we explored the ship.

We enjoyed an Amazon sunset from the Delfin III

During our first dinner, we learned the food was going to be very good and the food presentation was top notch!

At every meal the bread was special. This was our first hint.

We gathered once more for our “next day” talk.   It was clear we were going to have another very early start and would be kept very busy if we were willing to do it all.

After an early morning, two bus rides and two plane rides, I opted to stay on the ship during the nighttime jungle skiff ride.

Randy went and took these frog pictures to show me part of what I missed.

We boarded the Delfin III on September 21, 2024.

Next Up:  We meet a Shaman along the Peruvian Amazon.