July 17,

We were up and about by 0730, leaving by 0800 for breakfast. We went back to Dawn on the Amazon. I had corn tortillas stuffed with scrambled eggs, Mozzarella, red pepper and zucchini topped with avocado and mung bean sprouts, also chose an Americano coffee to drink. Jeff had Granola with nuts and fruit- apple, grape, banana and papaya with coconut milk – he chose a fresh ginger tea as his beverage. We enjoyed watching the lagoon area with the few small canoes and small boats navigating the water as we ate. Our bill was 78 PEN plus a 10 PEN tip, which came to $25.95.

We left and went back to our place, stopping at a Hipermart. We picked up a few snack items for our 16-20 hr long “fast boat.” (I forgot to mention our boat cost was total 617 PEN for us both, or $182.) Once back at our place we cooled off. Anthony already cleared us for late check out, so we laid down under the AC. It seemed hotter this morning. Then we got around, packed and readied. We checked by 1400, saying goodbye to Anthony, and grabbed a tuk-tuk that arrived letting off some of the motorcyclists that were staying here. That was convenient. We arrived at 1410. Jeff paid 10 PEN to the tuk-tuk driver.

Through security, received an Amazonas wristband, checked in our bags, then to a waiting area by 1441. We had struck up a conversation with an English/Dutch man. At 1445, we made our way to board the Amazonas II, and it started spitting. On board by 1448, and found our seats on the second level of the ship. We have 4A&B, and of course…our window view had a split between two windows. Oh well, it did rain a bit harder but only briefly. We watched the water traffic and saw a rainbow! Then we ate an apple snack with Nutella and pecans. Jeff tried a bite of a banana and we had to throw them out. He said they were total starch without any sweetness. Yuck!

At 1541 the Captain started the ship; at 1600 there was a lifejacket demonstration; and at 1605 we were underway…and we were leaving Iquitos and cruising the Amazon. We went out to the back of the ship. Iquitos definitely has an extensive working port. As we were leaving, we saw a large bridge, which I found humorous because we didn’t go under it (there are not supposed to be any bridges across the Amazon). One can only get to Iquitos via air or water. The bridge must just be for connecting islands?? Questions! We saw cell towers and I had some internet, so I quickly sent out some WhatsApp messages.

At 1757, there was a decent sunset with a thin crescent of the moon and a planet high up in the sky. Then, like that, we were in the dark. They played some Spanish dubbed movies: Megalodon and then Honest Thief.

They turned out the lights and shut off the TV at 2100, right in the middle of a third movie. But we were impressed that they did this. At 2330, I went out to go to the bathroom, and saw the stars. So many, gorgeously brilliant. I hadn’t been asleep, because unfortunately the couple behind us was playing with their phones. I assume it was Tictoc and had the volume up until around midnight. I could hear it with my earplugs in!! I finally was able to sleep when it was off. I was stretched out on the chairs, but the arm rests did not go down flush. It caused a challenge with positioning.LOL Being the gentleman, Jeff slept on the floor. So we both got some sleep.