Day 71 - Lima to Iquitos, Peru

Jungle Beans here! Today we go from the lovely climate of Lima to the unbearable climate of the Peruvian Amazon. 

As the plane doors open it is as we expected - It is damn hot in Iquitos! It reaches 35 degrees in the day and averages 94% humidity. We are constant pools of sweat. Even at night which doesn't let up in the slightest. The only respite is our air conditioned room which is like heaven. The average rainfall in Iquitos is 103 inches per year which is what you would expect from a rainforest and there is very little difference in month to month weather (temp, rainfall etc). Even the difference between the longest and shortest day is only 18mins as we are getting close to the equator. What is a little surprising is how the water level of the river fluctuates by as much as 40 feet per year, triggered by rainfall and snow melt on the eastern slopes of the Andes. It's so surprising as it is such a vast river. I can't even imagine how much water is needed to make it rise by 40ft!

Another very interesting fact about Iquitos is that it is the largest city unreachable by road. It is only accessible by planes and boats which again blows my mind as it is a pretty big city with about 400k people and a further 600k people in the rainforest up and down the river and it is not like it is even remotely near anything else. The Atlantic Ocean is over 700km away. I have no idea how they got all the necessary building materials here to build this city. It must have taken a hell of a long time and a lot of effort. It was also created due to the rubber boom and in its day was a fairly opulent and wealthy town which you can still see the remnants of today. Even Eiffel (yes the famous Eiffel) built a big iron building here just off Plaza de Armas. 

Anyone back to the blog. Great views as we fly over the snow capped Andes. 

As we come into land it hits us just how big the Amazon is. We fly for at least an hour over endless forest and we are only just on the edge. This is not even the main bulk of it that is in Brazil. We can see why they call it the lungs of the world. 

If she is looking for her trunk at the carrousel it's behind her. And there is a hell of a lot of junk in it. 

We arrive at our hotel to a big sigh of releif. Whilst basic it is spot on. Comfy bed, very slow but useable wifi, spotlessly clean, decent TV and the all important air-con. We cancel our other hotel and decide to extend our stay here instead. Great choice by us to swap and all for a bargainous £30 per night. 

We get changed and then head out in have midday sun for a walk around. Plaza de Armas below. 

We stop off for a very welcome ice cold beer at Fitzcaraldo's (named after the famous film). 

Hello river Itaya (the tributary that runs into the Amazon which is only about a km further down stream). Iquitos is set on the side of three rivers, two which flow into the amazon. 

The main promenade. 

After we walk another 100 metres and need another break and drink. Now I have been in many bars in my time and amazingly the only one I have ever been in that has tablet computers for their menu (complete with three languages) is in the middle of the rain forest. Crazy!

They also have the wheat Cusquena. Delicious stuff. 

Enjoying a beer outside of Amazon Bistro. 

The cathedral in the main square. 

 

Our lovely little hotel, Nativa Apartmemts. 

Big day today. I finally try Inka Cola which is absolutely huge out here. It is so big that it was bought by Coca Cola as they just couldn't beat it in the market. The verdict? Absolutely delicious although I won't be having many as it is pure sugar. It tastes just like Vimto albeit the radioactive variety. 

It's not so good after waking up after a nap to see about 1000 ants on my bed side table enjoying the remnants of it. Shows how much sugar is in it. 

That evening we decide to go back to Amazon bistro for dinner and have a fantastic dinner. I have one of the best lasagnes I have ever had. We don't stay out for too long as it is just too hot and we are craving our air conditioned room. The promenade is kicking tonight though. Must be the destination for the locals on a Sunday night.