And just like that, the trip is almost over. It is 730pm in Lima, and at 8p we will be heading to the airport for our trip home to Houston. Today, we took a city tour of Lima...seeing the old city, the Fransican Monestary and a museum that outlined the civilizations that shaped Peru. Many came before the Incas and it was interesting to understand their influences. We did some power shopping at the arts/crafts market, then headed back to the ocean for lunch. ...

Ashley was going to do a 5am bird watching hike, while Katelyn and I slept in.  Unfortunately, due to more rain the hike didn't happen, but she is still happy with her seeing 150+ species on the trip.  We didn't see a Toucan, which is disappointing, but the monkey's made up for it.  The trip back to Puerto Maldonado seemed a lot faster than the trip up the river, and we were at the airport by noon   We said our goodbyes to Oscar, who did a wonderf...

Today, was another attempt to see the macaws at the clay lick...even though Oscar promised the weather would cooperate, by 4am it was pouring rain again.  So, no 445am wake up knocking.   Since we are all in bed by 9pm (no electricity makes that decision easy),  we are all awake by 630-700am.  We spent the morning relaxing as the rain prohibited any activities and we were back on the long boat heading out by 1030.   It was a 3 hour trip to Refugio Amazonas t...

Whewhooooo...we slept in today!  The wake up knock was supposed to be at 445am to head to the clay lick to see the macaws, but it was pouring rain which meant the birds wouldn't bother (smart birds).   While it would have been great to see them, sleeping in was not a bad thing either.  At breakfast, Oscar advised that he was turning Katelyn and I over to Jesus for the day.  That way he and Ashley could do some power bird watching!  While Jesus seemed nic...

And...we are in the Peruvian Amazon!Another early morning (do you see a pattern here?)...6am pick up for our flight to Puerto Maldonado in the Peruvian Amazon.   Both Katelyn and I are a bit nervous, as I am NOT a camper and while she has camped...she hates spiders, snakes and anything different that moves.  Ashley on the other hand is so excited she can hardly stand it.   Since her Masters is in Ornithology (aka birds for those of us not in the science arena)...