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  3. Ecuador, South America

Manatee Riverboat Cruise

We got a bit discouraged with the options for a jungle lodge, so Julie discovered a new way to see the jungle - cruising! The Manatee Amazon Explorer is a big flat-bottomed riverboat that takes tourists a bit closer to the action, but not as close as we'd hoped (you get deeper into the jungle on the week-long tours).
Both of us got quite sick on the first night: Andrew had a 24hr flu while Julie just had light stomach flu.
Overall it was quite nice to cruise through the jungle, but until the final tour on Sunday night we mostly saw insects and small birds. The boat itself was comfortable, the other cruisers were pleasant, the staff was nice, and the food was tasty. Good times!
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  • Coming aboard the Manatee on Rio Napo, after a super-quick 35min flight from Quito + 2hr bus ride, + 1.5hr boat ride.

    Coming aboard the Manatee on Rio Napo, after a super-quick 35min flight from Quito + 2hr bus ride, + 1.5hr boat ride.

  • The Manatee riverboat was quite comfortable, and a great way to cruise the big river Napo

    The Manatee riverboat was quite comfortable, and a great way to cruise the big river Napo

  • Julie's totally enjoying the cruising lifestyle here in the jungle!

    Julie's totally enjoying the cruising lifestyle here in the jungle!

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  • we had great weather during the weekend, with suprisingly less rain in the rainforest than in other places we've been.

    we had great weather during the weekend, with suprisingly less rain in the rainforest than in other places we've been.

  • a (?) spider monitors his web. This fella builds a new web each and every night.

    a (?) spider monitors his web. This fella builds a new web each and every night.

  • stick bug

    stick bug

  • This is one of the world's largest ants (20mm), nicknamed the “bullet ant” since its sting feels like you've been shot.

    This is one of the world's largest ants (20mm), nicknamed the “bullet ant” since its sting feels like you've been shot.

  • flashlights shine during our night walk through the jungle

    flashlights shine during our night walk through the jungle

  • our guide holds up a harmless ribbon snake

    our guide holds up a harmless ribbon snake

  • day 1 was a super full day of sightseeing. Compared to Borneo there wasn't too much to see. After 3 hours walking through the jungle looking at insects, it's got a bit tiring...

    day 1 was a super full day of sightseeing. Compared to Borneo there wasn't too much to see. After 3 hours walking through the jungle looking at insects, it's got a bit tiring...

  • during the full-day tour on the first day, sighting this lizard was one of the highlights.

    during the full-day tour on the first day, sighting this lizard was one of the highlights.

  • julie joins the crowd “swimming with piranhas”, while Andrew stayed home to fight the flu.

    julie joins the crowd “swimming with piranhas”, while Andrew stayed home to fight the flu.

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  • The Manatee navigates through the early morning mist

    The Manatee navigates through the early morning mist

  • nearly 2 dozen parrots fill the trees at the special clay licks

    nearly 2 dozen parrots fill the trees at the special clay licks

  • Parrot Clay Licks in Yasuni National Park. In the trees above the dirt, groups of parrots cluster before taking to the dirt to eat the clay. The special clay helps them digest their toxic diet of various seeds.

    Parrot Clay Licks in Yasuni National Park. In the trees above the dirt, groups of parrots cluster before taking to the dirt to eat the clay. The special clay helps them digest their toxic diet of various seeds.

  • Patiently waiting in the hide until the birds appear. They gathered in the trees, but something spooked them before they came down the eat the clay.

    Patiently waiting in the hide until the birds appear. They gathered in the trees, but something spooked them before they came down the eat the clay.

  • Close up of the blue-headed and dusky-headed parrots. Courtesy of our guides.

    Close up of the blue-headed and dusky-headed parrots. Courtesy of our guides.

  • patiently waiting for parrots

    patiently waiting for parrots

  • the parrots came and went

    the parrots came and went

  • we sat staring at this puddle of mud for nearly an hour, nearly deafened by the chirping of hundreds of parakeets.

    we sat staring at this puddle of mud for nearly an hour, nearly deafened by the chirping of hundreds of parakeets.

  • waiting for the parakeets.

    waiting for the parakeets.

  • an orange-cheeked parrot joins the fray, as I try to take a picture through my binoculars

    an orange-cheeked parrot joins the fray, as I try to take a picture through my binoculars

  • another clay lick, this one frequented by parakeets. loads and loads of parakeets.

    another clay lick, this one frequented by parakeets. loads and loads of parakeets.

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  • taken through a 40X telescope

    taken through a 40X telescope

  • info on the clay licks

    info on the clay licks

  • Chillin in the hide waiting for the parakeets to come down to the clay.

    Chillin in the hide waiting for the parakeets to come down to the clay.

  • parakeets came and went. Julie remains focused

    parakeets came and went. Julie remains focused

  • just a neat little beatle beside the path (big as a quarter)

    just a neat little beatle beside the path (big as a quarter)

  • Andrew tries to pretend that he's responsible for creating the feast that Chef Manuel has prepared aboard the Manatee

    Andrew tries to pretend that he's responsible for creating the feast that Chef Manuel has prepared aboard the Manatee

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  • Dining on the Manatee with the captain and new friend Todd & Andrea

    Dining on the Manatee with the captain and new friend Todd & Andrea

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  • various pictures of clouds using different colour filters

    various pictures of clouds using different colour filters

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  • Untitled photo
  • Julie requested her photo to be taken while lounging, possibly showing how hard life is right now. :-)

    Julie requested her photo to be taken while lounging, possibly showing how hard life is right now. :-)

  • Hoatzin bird, aka the “stinky turkey” because of its diet it smells like a cow

    Hoatzin bird, aka the “stinky turkey” because of its diet it smells like a cow

  • Lago Limoncocha Natural Reserve, home to numerous species of birds, plus black caimans and piranhas!

    Lago Limoncocha Natural Reserve, home to numerous species of birds, plus black caimans and piranhas!

  • Lago Limoncocha con luna

    Lago Limoncocha con luna

  • another Hoatzin. turned out to be a lot of them around the water's edge.

    another Hoatzin. turned out to be a lot of them around the water's edge.

  • “jesus bird” walks across the water on the lilies

    “jesus bird” walks across the water on the lilies

  • About 6ft long Black Cayman suddenly swims alongside our boat

    About 6ft long Black Cayman suddenly swims alongside our boat

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    waiting for the parakeets.
    an orange-cheeked parrot joins the fray, as I try to take a picture through my binoculars