Today hit a new high (or low depending on how you think of it) as our wake up door knocking (we have no electricity) was at 4am.  Breakfast was at 430 and we were back on the long boat by 515am heading for a lake to look for river otters.  During the 40 minute hike to the lake we saw some big groups of spider monkeys jumping from tree to tree just above our heads.   They were so cute and it was fun to see them flying between the trees.  

At the lake we were on floating raft and saw some birds and a cayman...but no river otters.  The highlight was piranha fishing...and some in the group did catch them (but threw them back).   One was about 4" long and we were able to see their crazy sharp teeth.   Luckily no one fell in as I am not sure they would have lasted long!

By 8am we were back at the boat and ready for the 6 hour trip to the Tambopata Research Center.  The TRC is a smaller version of the Posada and where they are conducting research on Macaws.  It is also in a national preserve, so lots of wildlife.  The trip was uneventful, with lots of sleeping, reading and birdwatching (Ashley).  Lunch was rice and chicken strips folded nicely in a banana leaf.  

At the TRC, Augustus the manager welcomed us and gave us a tour of the lodge.  Then off for a another hike.  Because of the rain, we were sloshing through shin deep water...thankfully we had on our knee high rubber boots (from the lodge) so no wet feet!  We immediately saw some howler monkeys just above us and Oscar, our guide found a rare bird way up in a tree.  I have no idea how he could see it, as it blended perfectly with the tree.

On the way back, I was holding a rope on the way down a slippery slope and got bit by a poisonous ant.  I screamed and yelled some profanities as it really, really hurt.  Oscar determined it was a bullet ant and that thankfully I wasn't going to drop dead or have my hand fall off.  However,  when we got back to the lodge Augustus gave me two antihistamines and told me to take one then, and another after dinner. 

My hand was painful the rest of the evening, but some wine and another pill and my night was done!  ( I don't remember going to bed!).