Iquitos to Chacha
On the Amazon River from Iquitos to Yurimaguas and by motorbike to Chachapoyas.
August 26, 18:14
We just left the port of Iquitos, with a beautiful rainbow next to us. Right now, I am sitting on a bench on the side of the boat. I am staring at the amazing sunset and it feels like saying goodbye to a crazy adventure and like saying goodbye to a part of me. I feel like this whole trip has brought Mike and me closer together. And I am so grateful for that. It feels like this is the end of a chapter and that makes me all sentimental.
Sunset view from Amazon boat, Peru.
August 27, 15:39
It’s amazing to me how little people care about personal space. We stopped at a small village on our way to Yurimaguas and some more people entered the boat. I get that everybody needs a place to hang the hammock, but this guy just places his hammock literally against another man’s hammock. Even though there is enough space for him to move it more to the side. But no, somehow it doesn’t cross his mind that this man now has to sleep side by side with a man he doesn’t know. I don’t get it. Is it me and my Western thoughts that think it’s inappropriate? Is it normal for them to not have any personal space? Maybe they all grew up and lived in smaller houses with big families where everybody had to sleep close to each other. That would make a lot of sense. (OR there are just some dickheads here) It’s just something that I find hard to deal with. And having space for yourself is also something that I value, so maybe that’s why I am having a hard time on boats like these.
Small travel boat on Amazon River, from Iquitos, Peru.
August 28, 09:12
Initially, they told us we would arrive on Monday morning, which is now. I don’t know why we keep believing everything they tell us, but we have got to stop doing that. Looking at the map, we think we might arrive somewhere in the night or tomorrow morning. Depending on how fast we go and the amounts of stops we make. I can’t wait to be back on the ‘mainland’. At the end of this week, we are back in Chachapoyas. The city where we started our adventure loop 7 weeks ago. 7 weeks! Crazy! We initially thought we were gonna stay away for about 2 or 3 weeks. I guess we have some Peruvian in us as well. 😉
August 29, 05:39
We have arrived! Right now I am sitting on the boat, guarding our stuff and looking at the sunrise, while Mike is loading off the bike. We decided to keep the party moving and go to the next big city: Tarapoto. Get as far away from the river as possible.
August 30, 12:18
Tarapoto is a nice city, who would have thought? We are staying here for the day, to regain some strength after the boat trip. I am going to the same restaurant/ coffee shop as yesterday, cause we people like familiarity. I had a huge salad yesterday, filled with veggies. And after all that plain boat food, I am happy to get some nourishment again. So I am ordering the same salad at the same restaurant. And I am very excited about it!
August 31, 11:24
On the move! My ass is already sore, and we still have so much longer to go. We decided to drive as far as possible today, so we can have a relaxing final day on the road tomorrow. The good thing is that the area is very beautiful. Swirly roads take us across the mountains. Thousand shades of green from all the different trees and plants. The sun is beaming and the green on the side of the road has a cooling effect. I’m so happy to be in this area again. From what I have seen from Peru, this might be the most beautiful place.
View of the green side of the Andes, Peru
September 1, 16:56
We have arrived in Chachapoyas after a very chill day on the bike, with a gorgeous route and a beautiful coffee stop! We were surrounded by the mountains and enjoyed a great cafe Pasado. One of the benefits of being back in this area is that the coffee is good again. No more bullshit instant coffee, but just good-tasting coffee. Coffee, coffee, coffee. You’d think I drank too much of it, but I am just very excited to be back!
