Far from civilization, quiet in a canoe, we sometimes hear the exciting sound of a giant paiche, POP, suck, and splash from the flooded jungle. We cup our ears and nod knowingly to each other and are happy to hear the sound of the largest scaled fish in the world surfacing and inhaling fruit, seed, nut, or fish.
We usually have to be three days from Iquitos to get the thrill of seeing a big black caiman sunning in the grass above a mud bar near the river. It is a contest to determine who can see those awesome amphibians first.
Black Caiman sunning in the grass
Yesterday, Edson, Marmelita and I took our friend Rudy, and one of our favorite street urchins, Golbert, exploring in Dawncita, a little over one hour boat ride from Iquitos, to Fundo Pedrito. There we discovered a series of small lakes. One lake had several large caiman. Another lake is home to 6 paiche and dozens of the giant water lilies, Victoria Regias, many of which were in bloom. Another lake is full of small caiman and another is full of fish to feed the paiche and caiman.
Victoria Regias water lillies The caiman come right out of the water after the fish. Visitors are protected by a barrier fence.
A pod of baby caiman
We learned to tie small fish on strips of jungle vine to dangle on top the water and lure the paiche in close, like fishing only without a hook. When those huge fish erupt right under your feet with that loud POP, splash, and suck the fish in, it is very startling, and we nearly always jumped back or at least flinched.
Rudy luring a paiche to the surface
I was captivated. I didn’t want to leave. I mean it. I could have spent hours there with the paiche.
I flinched and missed my photo op. What a sound.
Starting now, Dawn on the Amazon is proud to offer a new day trip to hand feed the giant paiche, and caiman.
The picnic lunch is a plate of tropical fruit, usually a tamale or humita, and french bread with cheese.
Combined with a nice picnic lunch.
Squeezing the juice from sugar cane to make rum.
Going to an old fashioned rum making still, and sampling the wares.
Old fashioned rum still.
Taking a boat ride on the Amazon River.
This fish jumped in the boat with us.
Looking for pink dolphins, bird watching, and unusual plants.
Bubinsana blooming bush.
Makes for a great day that I recommend.
Courtesy of Bill Grimes ; www.dawnontheamazon.com
