Amazonas Day 5: Belen- Amazon's Biggest Marketplace

Before we knew it, we were back in Iquitos.  Our flight didn't take off until much later on New Years Eve, so we grabbed another Moto-taxi and headed to Belen.  The largest Peruvian Amazon Marketplace.  This would be interesting!

 I don't think these things are made for families of 5.  

Good thing we still have a few little bums that can squeeze!

 We drove across and out of town and as we got further and further, I prayed we would be safe!  Our guide had told us before he dropped us off, to be careful in Iquitos, especially because it was New Years Eve.  Once again, Kate voiced her concern.  When we climbed out of the taxi she said, "Ok, we've seen it.  Can we go back?"  

Check this out:

 Turtle Eggs

 Look at these grubs.  

They are enormous!  

 And delicious!!  Tastes like chicken!  Haha!  No, we didn't try them.  We didn't want to be suffering from any melodramatic intestinal issues on the plane ride home.  

 Wow.

 Do you see that alligator head behind the fish? 

What about it's arm?!!!!  I am so grateful I live where I live.  

Thankfully our driver returned us to the city center of Iquitos after an exhaust-filled taxi ride.  

We were safe.  We made it.  It was time to explore the downtown a bit!

Amazonas Day 5: Getting ready to head home

 We returned to Ceiba Tops after our morning adventure to shower and pack up our things.  

It was time to start making our way home.  

 Check out the water level marks at the dock!!!

 As we made our way back up to our room, we stopped to pick some apple bananas along the way from the trees.  They were this guys favorite.  Soooo sweet.  

 I was so excited taking pictures of all of the places we went during the week, that I didn't take any pictures of where we stayed!  So here you go.  Ceiba Tops Lodge.  

 Our morning meeting spot.

 Our rooms.

The many walkways around the lodge 

The Dining Hall

 Our table for the week.

The pool had THE GREATEST slide.  It catapulted you out into the water. 

 We all spent some quality time chasing each other down it at record speeds :)

 And here is Peru.  See the big green area up at the top?  We were smack dab in the middle of it.  

The beginning of the Amazon River. 

Amazonas Day 5: Indiana and Bellavista Villages

 After the marketplace, we walked down to another local port on the other side of the village.  

 Loading up supplies in their boats to take back to their own villages. 

 People live here on the banks of the river.  Most of the floating homes are built with two levels so if the bottom level begins to flood, the family just heads up to the top.  

 We couldn't get over how BIG the bananas grow in the Amazon.  

 The rain didn't seem to bother a soul.

 Not even this little, old, barefooted woman.

It was business as usual. 

After we walked through Indiana, we climbed into our Moto-taxis again and went to see the neighboring village, Bellavista. 

 We got going pretty fast down this hill!  And we just cruised right through that big puddle at the bottom.  There may have been some squeals coming from the back of our taxi :)

Quite the traffic!

 The Big Futbol Stadium

You just get used to being wet here.  Comes with the territory. 

 Cute.

 Bellavista was truly a beautiful view.  

The kids had to get a shot next to the tree shaped like a sloth!

We walked through their tiny market and then found ourselves among vultures before it was time to get back on our boat and head home to pack. 

We LOVE the Amazon.