July 28,

We were up and about before the alarm at 0700. I had some coffee and we left by 0815. By 0820, we went to the port. Our guy met us and took us to the ticket area. We had to pay an additional 8 BRL, or $1.56, each for port entry, we assume…and began the nickel and dining. We received an ID bracelet with hand-written on it “to do the dolphins.” At 0905, we boarded a boat with many others and took off. A long intro was given in Portuguese, no English translation.😟

We came to a floating hut and everyone got off. It was a souvenir place. We asked the guide what we are doing here. She then “realized” or rather remembered we were English-speaking only. She then introduced herself and explained we will swim with dolphins here. We checked in, gave our first name, and went onto the deck. We joined the second group of ten getting into the river. Our guide took my phone to take pictures of us. The workers were trying all kinds of tactics to “call” the pink dolphins. Finally one came up close as the man dangled a fish at it. We could see its elongated snout and black teeth. Amazing and exciting! Then we exited the river, reboarding our boat. The captain then steered into a small side branch and we were all invited up front, individually for a picture. After that the captain drove the boat rejoining the river. Our guide told us as we came to a river house that a 120 kg fish was caught here…which sounds like a fish story!!! Along the river, many such houses dotted the banks. We saw some birds – one was a heron – I was able to snap a picture of it. It was good fun just being on the river again.

Next we stopped at a real souvenir place called Ipixuna. The main attraction here was to feed the big tarpon-type fish. Jeff took part, paying 10 BRL ($1.95), which got him three poles with a tethered little 3 to 4 inch bait fish. He gave away two poles and kept one to fish with. The tarpon-type fish were huge. We walked around and looked at the stuff for sale. We were all herded back onto the boat and went to our next stop,visiting a “local” tribe, called Tuyuka. Our guide said there were about a hundred locals here, and they originated from Colombia. We entered a large hut and some tribe members were going around painting faces. I got mine done. Jeff gave 8 BRL ($1.56). Then the tribe performed some dancing. It was interesting to watch – some tribal people seemed to enjoy doing the dancing, but some not so much. There were two parrots hanging out and souvenir wares for sale. They even had a sloth with its baby and a snake you could pose with. Everyone loaded up onto the boat and we zoomed to lunch.

We arrived to quite a spread at Restaurante Janauarylandia, a floating restaurant. There were all sorts of fresh fruits and veggies, three kinds of rice, two kinds of bean dishes, chicken, boiled fish with veggies, and fried fish…plus more. We had to pay extra for drinks: coke and a large beer cost 34 BRL ($6.62). We finished and went to look at the souvenirs here, at Feira de Artesanato Janauarilandia. Then we noticed people going on a walk. We found our guide and she said to go- we were supposed to go…it was obviously self-guided. It would be nice to know prior. I know we are the only English speaking people on the tour, but still. Anyway, the walk was an elevated wood walkway over the water. We saw a parakeet eating at a termite mound or a bee hive(?). At one end area, we saw huge water lilies; then at another end, a very large Samauma tree. We went back and all boarded the boat. We started off but stopped and our guide got off. Don’t know what that was about. Our guide got back on and we left.

The boat came up to where two waters meet and you can see the “division” in the water. It was like a meeting of dark chocolate and milk chocolate. One water is from a Peruvian source, the other from a Colombian. Everyone on board got a photo op at the front of the boat. Then we moved on with water spraying in a bit… it was refreshing and delightful. We arrived back at port at 1440. We left the boat and walked to the entry. Jeff did a Google translation with a staff person to find out where the Rondonia FB was. The guy pointed to the other dock area…where we had landed five nights ago. We walked there, finding it being loaded up to head out tomorrow. Jeff found the lady at a desk to inquire about seeing and booking a suite. She called another lady who showed us two different rooms. The first room was tiny and had a side window. The second room was bigger and at the front of the boat with a huge window. We wanted that one, suite #11. We thanked the staff lady, and went back to the desk lady. Jeff had to wait in line, then paid 3,000 BRL to procure the suite(it was every bit of cash we had with us). Yeahhh!!! We have to be on board by 1100 tomorrow.

Now we went to a grocery store for stuff for the boat. Supplies in hand, hot & exhausted, we went back to our place. We unwound, cleaned up and settled in…only had a snack of bread, nuts and wine for supper. Bed by 2200.