The Amazon as Seen From a Small Canoe

I think I've found Paradise, and it hasn't cost us a cent. Okay....it cost $5.00 each, but it is totally worth it!

Today our ship anchored off a remote Amazonian village called Boca de Valeria. The village residents were waiting for us with open arms, wide smiles, and numerous opportunities to take an enterprising child's photo with your choice of a sloth, parakeet, baby, or anything else they could rustle up. I think tourists are few and far between here, which may account for why both Steve and I put today at the top of our list of memorable and enjoyable days.

We took a riverboat ride down the Ria Valeria, in a small motorized canoe. The crew consisted of the father, about 34 years old, and his two sons, aged 6 and 4. We had no sooner left the riverbank and got out into the river than the skies opened and it poured torrential rain. There was nothing for us to do but laugh and enjoy the feeling of getting soaked through to our skins in less than 2 minutes. Good thing the sun came out about 5 minutes later and we were positively steaming soon. It was great!

It was a good thing we had the entire crew on board, as it took some serious bailing on the part of the 6 year old to get the water out of the bottom of the canoe!

How wonderful to be really on the water....we would have trailed our fingers in the water, but were apprehensive about fish and piranahas and things. Meanwhile, the two young boys were leaning over and bringing up handsful of water which they proceeded to drink.

Our guide asked if we wanted to visit his village and his home, and of course, we jumped at the chance. We met his entire family which consists of 5 children with another on the way. The house was rustic, but very clean and he is very proud of it. He toured us around the village, including a visit to the children's school. The door was closed but he took the string off the nail and we were in. He also took us around to meet his brother and his cousin. In all, there are 35 families in the village. The children were very happy ... running around with minimal clothes and flip flops. We had the feeling that here it truly was a case of the village raising each child.

We were absolutely delighted with the family visit. The children loved having their pictures taken. They would laugh and take great delight in pointing to each other when I showed the pics to them. I only wish I had an instant developer (a Polaroid would have come in handy) so I could have left them a copy.

Once we were back in civilization....or at least, to where we started out, we spent an enjoyable hour or so having a beer and chatting with the local children. We were sorry we had not stocked up on little gifts before we came out, but we hadn't even thought of it. As it was, we distributed dollar bills with abandon (yes, even Steve!) and had a thoroughly good time.

Now, we're back onboard the ship where we will have a rest and then go out to happy hour, followed by dinner. Hard to believe there are fewer than 10 days left before we head home to Mexico.

 THERE ARE NO ROADS IN THIS SMALL AND ISOLATED AMAZONIAN VILLAGE. BOATS ARE THE ONLY WAY TO GET AROUND.

WE SAW GIANT LILY PADS WHILE ON OUR RIVER CRUISE WITH A DAD AND THE CREW, WHICH CONSISTED OF HIS TWO YOUNG SONS.

THIS WAS THE LARGEST RIVER VILLAGE WE SAW. THERE WERE PROBABLY 40 FAMILIES LIVING HERE ALONG THE RIVER BANK. THE HOMES ARE ON STILTS BECAUSE OF THE ANNUAL FLOODING OF THE RIVERS.

OUR GUIDE TOOK US TO HIS HOME TO MEET HIS FAMILY. THE CHILDREN LOVED TO HAVE THEIR PICTURES TAKEN AND TO SEE THEM. THESE ARE TWO OF FIVE (SOON TO BE SIX) CHILDREN IN THE FAMILY.

STEVE AND OUR GUIDE (AND ONE OF THE DAUGHTERS) STROLLING ALONG THE VILLAGE STREET. THERE ARE NO VEHICLES, NO PAVEMENT, AND ONLY 35 FAMILIES LIVING HERE. WE THINK THEY ARE ALL RELATED, AS WE MET SEVERAL OF THEM AND THEY WERE ALL BROTHERS OR COUSINS.

THIS LITTLE GIRL WAS QUITE TAKEN WITH MY HAT WHEN WE STOPPED FOR A BEER IN THE ONLY RESTAURANT WE COULD SEE. I THINK SHE WAS PRETTY HAPPY TO SETTLE FOR A DOLLAR WHEN I TOLD HER I NEEDED IT MORE THAN SHE DID.