The passageway off the street came down a few steps made of cross-cut logs to a path of the same cross-cut logs.
The 15th was a light day – Ulises was to pick us up at 1400 for the trip to the airport. So to pass the time we walked a few blocks north to the Inca Market – a building with many stalls where local handicrafts (targeted to the toursitas) were available for purchase. We stopped at the first stall selling silver jewelry and picked up necklaces for the daughters, and then had to fend off pleas to step into every other stall in the market. It was early and we were the only customers in sight. We did stop in a second market on the way back where I got the refrigerator magnet for Lima. We didn’t spend much time on the shopping – I didn’t like the feeling of being accosted repeatedly, and so enthusiastically.
So we bided our time in the hotel lobby until lunch when we retired to the bar (the restaurant being closed for a function) for a bite to eat and a Pisco Sour.
The ride back to the airport took us along the beach highway at the base of the cliff until the road turned inland and we were back in city traffic. The maneuvers we saw (and our driver made) would make a Rhode Island driver blanche!
The flight from Lima to Iquitos was uneventful and landed after dark. Disembarking by rolling steps from both front and rear of the aircraft, we descended into the warm humid nighttime air. We were met by the Delfin II staff who collected the group (20-ish of us) and our baggage. Normally, they would’ve bussed us 90 minutes up the road to Nauta, but the road had “collapsed” – whatever that means. Instead mini-busses took us into Iquitos on a river of 3-wheeled motorcycle taxis and motorcycles. The locals would have no problem driving in Lima.
We got out on a non-descript street and entered a passageway that led down to a dock on the river. There were three skiffs belonging to the Delfin waiting at the landing that took us on a 5‑minute ride to where the Delfin II was moored on the riverside.
Once onboard, the staff briefed us on the following day’s plans, and the amenities on board. Dinner was served at 2100 and we sat with Melissa and Steve Wilson and exchanged travel stories.
We retired to our cabin (#16) – I reserved one of the four master suites at the front of the craft with the wrap-around windows. Our cabin was located on the second level above entry level and below the bar/lounge deck.
The passageway off the street came down a few steps made of cross-cut logs to a path of the same cross-cut logs.
These steps led down to the dock on the water where the skiffs were waiting to take us to the Delfin II.
Once in the skiff, a view back to the dock and stairs.
Our master suite (#16) had the wrap-around windows, curtained in this photo, on the front of the boat.
Looking back from the windows - Jonathan is standing in the bath alcove.
The bath alcove - toilet to the right, shower to the left.
Melissa and Steve Wilson shared our table for the entire trip - they were good and fun company.
Evidence part I - the main course. I'm having difficulty with the white balance on this shot, the yellow plate isn't helping.
Evidence part II - a local interpretation of tiramisu - yummy!
Turning in for the evening - our suite was at the end of the hallway on the left.