Via the Amazon River by boat to Iquitos and resting in the city after the travel.

August 19, 21:30

This time it wasn’t me who had a mental breakdown, but Mike. So refreshing. He went from heartbreak crying to hysterical laughter. The kind you see in movies that make you think; this person is CRAZY. Just kidding. It wasn’t that bad. And I get it, ‘cause it can get frustrating on this boat.

It’s day 8 and everybody says we should arrive today (they have been saying that for about three days anyway) So, of course, that’s not happening. The Peruvians tend to lie. They can’t say ‘no’ or ‘I don’t know’. It’s like they’re afraid of confrontation and will do and say anything to prevent that from happening. So when you ask: ‘Do you know when we will arrive?’. Their answer will be anything like ‘Tomorrow’, ‘Saturday’, or ‘at 6 pm’. Even though they don’t have any information and will not know the answer, they make something up. Anything, to have an answer.

August 20, 05:28

The port of Iquitos is in sight! FINALLY! Oh my god, so happy. Soon we can finally say goodbye to this hellhole. After 9 days, instead of 4.

We’re going straight to the hotel to take a shower with clean water and lie in a bed in an air-conditioned room, with NO OTHER PEOPLE. SO EXCITED.

August 21, 10:25

Sometimes when you go about your day and something catches your attention, it makes you think about your life. Where you are, what you are doing with it, and where you want it to go. That’s where I’m at today: rethinking the future. This traveling around just feels pointless. Of course, I want to see the world and experience new things, that’s why I am here. But I also want to do something with my life, something meaningful or at least something exciting. I want something to live for.

August 22, 11:23

Following the train of thought from yesterday, we decided to spend the day at coffee shops to come up with plans and ideas. And I got one! Years ago, I don’t remember exactly, when I wrote what I wanted to do with my life if anything was possible, one thing was that I wanted to have different sustainable and unique houses all over the world, to create a home base for me and rent out as a source of income. The other thing was to start a non-profit that helps animals all over the world. Okay, the last one is a bit vague, that has to get more specific maybe. So I decided to go with the first one: houses! I quickly realized that I wanted to have a home base in The Netherlands. But I know there are very few opportunities and it’s very expensive. (I know, cause I just sold my house half a year ago) So, a solution might be a tiny house! I looked into it and it seems very much possible! It can be done cheaply, I can find a location on a camping maybe and I can do it quickly. I’m so excited - this might be something!

August 23, 11:23

We found a boat for Saturday. This should be a rapid boat, that should only take us two days to get there. I am saying ‘should’, cause who knows if they are speaking the truth. Only time will tell. And it’s great, cause the bike can go on this boat too. We initially thought that the bike might have to go on a cargo ship, but this is way better. And again with hammocks. I am not looking forward to this journey. But since Iquitos is only reachable and leave-able by boat or plane, this is the only option. So Saturday at 16:00 it is.

August 24, 14:16

We went to the market this morning and oh my god, I forgot how busy and smelly those can be. They’re amazing to take photos, but you have to be in the right mindset to enjoy it. View more of my market photos in Peru here. So now I am back in a coffee shop, trying to work out my Tiny House plan. And the more research I do, the more I think it’s possible. There’s just one thing I have to figure out and that’s when to come home to make this all work.

August 25, 07:32

Today is the last full day in Iquitos. Initially, I wanted to do some sort of tour, but after being on a boat for that long, I really couldn’t be bothered to go on one again. So no tours and just spending time in Iquitos. Which is something, cause it’s kinda smelly and super hot and a little dirty. So not the best place to stay for longer. Which makes me even more grateful and happy that I am here with Mike. He makes traveling so much nicer and our Amazon adventure so much more bearable. Crazy to think we met in a random coffee shop in Colombia, traveled to Ecuador together, and are now in the middle of the Amazon in Peru. Pretty cool.