February 17. Day 8. Rest day at the river camp.

Today's Description:  Today we spend some quality time in this beautiful location on the banks of the Pacuare River.  This area of rainforest is maintained as much as possible in its natural state.  The camp is a very comfortable camp with permanent tents on wooden platforms, raised off the ground.  There are showers, flush toilets, sinks and a dining area with a gazebo strewn with lots of hammocks.  We'll head out today on a hike into the rainforest to some of the nearby waterfalls and swimming holes.  

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I had good intentions to get out on one of the optional hikes today, but each time the rain started just before we did.  Also, it was pretty hot and I thought a sweat-free and sunscreen-free day would be a nice change.  So - I chose to stay behind and make it a true rest day.  I wasn't the only one........

Lots of reading today, alternating between the tent and the hammock.  There may have been a few catnaps in there as well.  Some board games played.  Dodged the occasional downpour.  The river was busy with rafters - mostly day-trippers we were told.  I explored the grounds a bit and took a few pictures.  Beautiful grounds!

The boys prepared a lovely dinner for us once again - pasta with sauce, bread and wine.  I really wasn't feeling great all day (probably from eating too much day after day), so I nibbled a bit but didn't have much.  After dark, Jean got out her flashlight and started looking in the bushes for critters.  She found a snake, quite a venomous one apparently.  It was a fer-de-lance.  Wikipedia tells us that it "is a venomous pit viper species ranging from southern Mexico to northern South America and is considered to be one of the most dangerous snakes in the central hemisphere."  OK then; no wonder Fez got everyone out of the area so quickly.  He managed to immobilize the snake with a stick and then take its head off with his machete.  Let me just say that trips to the outhouse that night were taken with some added caution.