Sunday 23rd July 2006: AMAZON JUNGLE TOUR: Day 2

We awoke on this gloriously sunny sunday morning to the sounds of birds and had to experience an Amazon bath - washing in the river - strange but effective! After breakfast we packed up camp and started on another long walk deeper into the Brasilian Amazon (we had crossed over from Colombia the previous day - no immigration here just a small trail marking the divide).

During our walk we often stopped by specific trees and plants which have medicinal properties and other uses. Sergio showed us the tree that cures the symptoms of Malaria (which is now being used by the local hospital) and the Incense Tree which repels mosquitoes when the sap from the cut bark is burnt.

Early afternoon we arrived at our second camp site. Again we were next to a river and as we were considerably deeper in the jungle the mosquitoes where rife, vicious and even able to bite us through our lightweight tops but thankfully not our jeans! It was at this point that Sergio went in search of the white sap of the Incense Tree and returned with enough to drive away the horrid insects and it was a lot more effective than our chemically made repellent which is so strong that it burns our skin!

After dinner had been eaten and all dishes washed (Sergio taught us how to wash the dishes in the river with no detergent - using the sand off the bottom of the river acts as a great cleaner and scourer and is natural and not harmful to the jungle) we sat around the campfire for a bedtime story of Munaj Hurama - the legend of this Hututo Tribe Chief. The story took a long time to tell as Celina had to understand it fully before translating to Oli, but the long task was well worth it as the story was truly gruesome, original and enchanting and one that we'll remember forever!

After our bedtime story Sergio headed off into the darkness of the jungle to hunt but we decided to stay behind and sleep as we were exhausted from two days of solid walking and we also didn't fancy another night walk - once was enough!

Our Amazon Bath

Oliver on an Amazon chair - a log!

Celina the Fire Starter!