It’s not every day that a parrot swoops into an open-walled dining room and lands on your shoulder as you sip your morning coffee. If you love nature and ecotourism, consider an Amazon jungle lodge. Most offer multi-day packages that include meals, excursions and riverboat transportation from Manaus, Brazil. During rainforest walks, we photographed squirrel monkeys munching on purple tree blossoms. Our guide identified the haunting cries of howler monkeys and helped us spot a three-toed sloth slung high in a tree. The highlight was an evening boat trip along an Amazon tributary to search for caimans – South American relatives of alligators. Squeak! Squawk! Chirp! Buzz! Rattle! Hiss! Although the wildlife inhabiting this vast jungle is rarely visible, it certainly isn’t silent. Our guide Marco scanned the edge of the Amazon jungle with a flashlight, stopping suddenly when he spotted two ruby eyes frozen by the light. With lightning speed, he waded into the shallow water and gripped the caiman behind the head. Using his other hand, he grasped its tail to keep it from thrashing. Returning to the boat, Marco showed us the caiman’s 75 sharp teeth, its supple underbelly and the membranes that protect its eyes. He then gently released the alligator, unharmed, into the water. It vanished with a swish of its tail. Other unforgettable memories during our Amazon lodge vacation? Cultural visits to a riverside community and fishing for piranhas. SUITE DREAMS One of the joys of travel is discovering memorable accommodations Where do you stay when you travel? A condo Airbnb? An all-inclusive resort? A rustic cabin in cottage country? A chain-branded hotel or a cozy inn? Your accommodations can significantly impact the enjoyment of your trip. Here are some noteworthy lodgings for every interest and budget that we’ve discovered during our travels. We hope that they’ll motivate you to search out some non-traditional options for your next trip. rainforestcruises.com/amazon-jungle-lodges-brazil Jungle lodges Story and photos © Barb & Ron Kroll 14 | www.snowbirds.org Travel
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