Wild about the Amazon

Mechanical problems caused a six hour delay at the La Paz airport.  Finally, we boarded the small plane where every seat is a window seat.  It was a bumpy ride, and the stone buildings of La Paz faded away until we were flying over lush green mountains.  We landed with a thud on the tropical runway.  The airport consisted of exactly one room.  It only took a few minutes for staff to unload our luggage and walk it thirty feet over to us. 

The jungle town of Rurrenabaque is relaxed and warm, very different from the lively atmosphere in La Paz.  Tall mountains create a scenic backdrop, and a river snakes along the edge.  The town caters to the backpacker crowd by selling flip flops, sun screen, and pizza. 

We booked a 3-day tour of the Pampas, an area known for the wildlife.  It began with a three hour ride in a 4x4 Range Rover to Santa Rosa.  From there, we rode in canoe for another two hours of travel up the Beni River to our camp inside Parque Nacional Madidi. 

The first animals we saw were the famous Amazon River dolphins.  They are pink because their capillaries grow close to their skin.  The largest of all freshwater dolphins, they can grow up to nine feet long.  They are friendly, playful creatures who don't mind a bunch of tourists swimming beside them.

Our guide disliked questions, providing information, and tourists.  Despite this, we had fun and saw an abundance of wildlife. 

An alligator lived under the main cabin at camp.  It must have been used to people because we all took turns trying to touch it, and nobody lost a hand.

We encountered a large group of squirrel monkeys.  They are small and move quickly through the treetops. 

Over 900 species of birds live in the National Park.  The Hoatzin has a bright blue face and long spiky orange feathers that form a crest on its head.  They hang out in groups on low branches, near the river.   

Each morning, these tall birds walked around camp in search of large sticks for their nest. 

Although they are the largest rodent in the world, capybara are kind of cute.  They look like giant guinea pigs and are usually seen foraging in the grass or wading in a river.