We woke up to the sounds of the jungle.

Rooms at the lodge are arranged along a covered porch. This was not the rainy season so the grounds were dry.

First thing…We have to catch our lunch — Piranhas! 

That little sucker took a piece out of Mitch’s finger. Beware of carnivorous fish!

Joanne was prepared.

Herb holds up lunch? Maria was skeptical.

Fried Piranhas made a nice platter. Any Takers? Joanne had a taste for it. 

 

Elders from the Yaqui Tribe

After lunch we hiked through the jungle to meet with the Yaqui Tribe. Members of the tribe filed into the large meeting house and invited us into a circle for a communal dance.

Some younger members of the tribe hung back.

We were shown how to use a blow gun and how they prepare darts tipped with curare poison. The prey/meal of choice is monkey.

The darts are sharpened on Piranha teeth.

Mitch and Maria hit the target dead on. The Yaquis were impressed.

We bought some of their crafts and said our good-byes. The tribe members went back to their village which was deeper into the jungle. Obviously this was a tourist event but it was also clear that the tribe is proud and struggling hard to maintain its traditional way of life.

 

Later, we went out on the boat to look for Dolphins. The Amazon River dolphin or Boto is a freshwater dolphin that inhabits the waterways of the Amazon. It is the largest river dolphin species in the world. They are pink and/or grey in color.

 

Men washing clothes in the River.

Great Herons rested in a cacao tree. 

The toucan which had been squawking at us took flight.

Clouds moved in to cover the sunset.

The next morning we visited the Yanamono Medical Clinic which provides primary medical care to the people living in the surrounding Amazon jungle.  It was founded by an American doctor, Dr. Linnea Smith. Dr. Smith spends 6 months out of the year here. She has trained locals to serve as paramedics. The Grand Circle Foundation, Explorama, the Rotary Club of Wisconsin, and individual donors provide financial support. Most patients arrive on foot or by dugout canoe. Services include: family planning, prenatal care and birthing; dental care; treatment of snakebites, cholera, parasites, and malaria. 

This man does it all: Physician’s assistant, lab technician, and dentist this local man was trained by Dr. Smith and works around the clock.

 

This woman was bringing food for a family member who is recuperating from an illness at the clinic.

A mother has brought her young child for treatment at the clinic.

We also paid a visit to the library that serves the local jungle population which is supported by the Grand Circle Foundation, affiliated with Overseas Adventure Travel.

Students are also given access to computers and music instruction.