Our Visit to Monkey Island
By Helen Hazelman, Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
Having been in Iquitos for 8 days, we had a day to spare. We were told about an island in the middle of the Amazon River that was inhabited by an enormous amount of monkeys. We were intrigued. We spoke to “Mad Mick” who recommended we travel to the island on Bill Grimes´s boat "Dawn On The Amazon". We contacted Bill and the next day we set off at 9 a.m. from The Yellow Rose Of Texas Restaurant and Bar. Having arrived in Bella Vista Nanay by mototaxi. We boarded what can only be described as a floating masterpiece. We then set off down the Amazon River on a 2 hour journey to Monkey Island.
As soon as we arrived, the monkeys seemed to appear out of nowhere, obviously drawn to the bunches of bananas we were carrying. This 200 hectare island is not only inhabited by 9 species of monkeys but 10 families, all of whom devote their lives to caring for these primates. Bill was even surpised to see a species that even he didn't recognise. This large monkey had long ginger hair, a bright red face and a stumpy tail. This particular monkey went by the name of "Ingles".
We then walked into the jungle accompanied by a troop of monkeys who seemed to know which way to go, whilst other monkeys screeched and howled in the canopy. The people who protect these monkeys have planted a variety of fruit trees such as starfruit, banana, pineapple, cocona and guava, to ensure the monkey’s staple diet is maintained.
We returned to the dock and then made voluntary contributions to the monkey sanctuary. We boarded our boat for the 2 hour trip back up river to Bella Vista, exhausted but totally exhilarated from our day on Monkey Island.
If you would like to meet these monkeys, and have a wonderful day on the Amazon River that you’ll never forget... please contact Bill Grimes at: 223 730 or 9939190
We recommend you take an insect repellant and rubber boots for your trip.
Check out his web site at: www.dawnontheamazon.com
By Helen Hazelman, Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
Having been in Iquitos for 8 days, we had a day to spare. We were told about an island in the middle of the Amazon River that was inhabited by an enormous amount of monkeys. We were intrigued. We spoke to “Mad Mick” who recommended we travel to the island on Bill Grimes´s boat "Dawn On The Amazon". We contacted Bill and the next day we set off at 9 a.m. from The Yellow Rose Of Texas Restaurant and Bar. Having arrived in Bella Vista Nanay by mototaxi. We boarded what can only be described as a floating masterpiece. We then set off down the Amazon River on a 2 hour journey to Monkey Island.
As soon as we arrived, the monkeys seemed to appear out of nowhere, obviously drawn to the bunches of bananas we were carrying. This 200 hectare island is not only inhabited by 9 species of monkeys but 10 families, all of whom devote their lives to caring for these primates. Bill was even surpised to see a species that even he didn't recognise. This large monkey had long ginger hair, a bright red face and a stumpy tail. This particular monkey went by the name of "Ingles".
We then walked into the jungle accompanied by a troop of monkeys who seemed to know which way to go, whilst other monkeys screeched and howled in the canopy. The people who protect these monkeys have planted a variety of fruit trees such as starfruit, banana, pineapple, cocona and guava, to ensure the monkey’s staple diet is maintained.
We returned to the dock and then made voluntary contributions to the monkey sanctuary. We boarded our boat for the 2 hour trip back up river to Bella Vista, exhausted but totally exhilarated from our day on Monkey Island.
If you would like to meet these monkeys, and have a wonderful day on the Amazon River that you’ll never forget... please contact Bill Grimes at: 223 730 or 9939190
We recommend you take an insect repellant and rubber boots for your trip.
Check out his web site at: www.dawnontheamazon.com
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