A fond farewell to Peru

A day that started in the rainforest now sees me boarding my flight to Lima, ready to travel to Argentina in the morning.

Our activities began at dawn again, after a huge thunderstorm in the night, as we took the boat to the “clay lick” from which parrots feed early in the morning:

We saw a flock of parakeets having their fill of the nutrients, as well as pairs of male and female macaws (who couple together “til death us do part”) flying overhead.

We were also treated to the sight of capybaras swimming in the river and sleepy howler monkeys perched on the highest branch of a tree.

We then enjoyed a delicious, final breakfast of rainforest fare, before preparing for the long trip back to Cusco. I enjoyed watching and listening to the oropendolas as I waited: their exotic call has been the soundtrack to our time in the Amazon.

On the way back we stopped briefly at our first lodge and were greeted by this little visitor, a band-tailed manakin, in one of the rooms:

Just like the Salkantay Trek, my rainforest expedition has taken me outside my comfort zone, but has been an absolute privilege to experience.

I’ve met some fantastic people during my time in Peru, from Eddy the barman and my fellow travellers at the Cusco hostel, to the wonderful groups I’ve joined for the Trek and the Amazon Tour. As well as being painted in a colourful palette and rich in treasures, I’ve found Peru to be really welcoming and full of charm. My experience of the tourist industry here has also been very positive: everything has been done professionally and, as much as we’ve appreciated those who’ve looked after us, they’ve also shown a rather humbling appreciation of those who pay their wages.

I’ve so far resisted the urge to post too many food photos, but the cuisine has certainly lived up to its reputation. I’ve sampled many specialities made from Andean or jungle ingredients, although I did decide that the famous “cuy” (guinea pig) must be an acquired taste!

The passion fruits, fried bananas, huge avocados, jungle potatoes and many others have all been instant hits with me though!

I will take the tastes, sights, sounds and personal connections of Peru with me, but now prepare for the next stage of my journey: joining up with my family in Argentina…