The next part of our trip was to Rara Avis(rare bird), which is a rainforest lodge in the middle of an untouched rainforest. It was one of the best parts of the trip for me. Everything about this place is awesome including the journey to get there. We started out getting fitted for our rubber boots, which are highly recommended during your stay due to all the mud! Then we got on an all terrain truck for our an hour or so beginning our climb up to the lodge. About half way the truck can no longer continue so we got on to a tractor drawn wagon and things got really bumpy! A couple of times we had to get off and walk ahead so that the tractor could maneuver its way over some large rocks. Once we had enough of the tractor we hiked the last hour of the way there. The accomodations were very simple and rustic. The only electricity is in the dining area for about 5 hours or so in the evening. My years as a camp counselor prepared me well for this.
The next day we took a 3 hour nature hike with our guide Josh. We learned more about the rainforest and its plants and animals. We had a very interesting encounter with some spider monkeys as well. Hiking in the rubber boots through the mud, water, and rocks took some concentration, but was very fun. At the end of our hike we went to the lookout point for the beautiful waterfall they have at Rara Avis. By this point we were hot, muddy and wet so the water was calling our names. We got to swim in the waterfall!!
After lunch a big thunderstorm came through with lots and lots of rain. While we were sitting in the dining room we all of the sudden heard a loud noise. Our guide quickly realized that the river was flash flooding due to the rain. We quickly walked to the bridge to see the river rising and picking up speed. We then grabbed our boots and hiked back to the waterfall lookout point to see the comletely flooded waterfall. It was amazing to see the river moving with such force. I included some videos below so you can get an idea of how massive it really was.
The next morning we got up very early to leave because the tractor was broke down! This meant we had to hike about 6 kilometers down the hill to where the all terrain truck was waiting for us. Needless to say I had several blisters from the rubber boots, but it was worth it! Check out the videos and I also attached a slide show of Rara Avis pictures.
Sorry this is sideways and I don't know how to rotate it
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