August 2024 Amazon Rainforest Tour:Elena was super responsive to our needs and desires as we planned this week long trip to the Amazon Jungle and she continued to be available during the trip for any questions. We were very pleased with the pace of both "seeing" and "doing" with enough down time to not feel rushed. We spent 3 nights in the beautiful Opera Hotel in Manaus where we enjoyed very good food and excursions with the very knowledgeable Francisco who spoke excellent English and was quite considerate. The next 4 nights we spent at the Trapiche Eco Lodge which we traveled to by car and boat. We felt very safe and well cared for at all times. Our guide while at the Trapiche was also extremely knowledgeable about history, plants, animals, and life on the Rio Negra & Amazon. Andre spoke adequate English but didn't always understand our questions. We were warmly welcomed at the lodge by the owners and were surprised to discover we were the only guests. While they were super attentive to caring for us, and Dora made us 3 delicious meals a day with great variety, it would have been nice to have been able to meet and chat with fellow travelers. For sunrise on the river, and other beautiful, peaceful excursions, it was actually nice to be the only ones as we had no distractions from the sights and sounds of nature which were an incredible experience. Swimming with the pink dolphins was a super sweet highlight, but honestly, there was not a single activity which we did not enjoy.The Trapiche was rustic, as described: There was a small AC unit in our room as well as fans which provided some relief from the 90+ degree heat in the August afternoons. I took a portable baby fan which helped a lot, even on the jungle hike. We had WiFi in the lounge but not in our cabin. There was only cold water in the shower which was OK in the heat. The room was clean but the linens were thin, worn, sparse and the foam mattress could use a nice pad under the fitted sheet. Best touch was the hospitality provided the day our host met us on an island where a BBQ lunch of fresh fish was prepared, hammocks were hung on a stretch of white sand beach for our siesta, and we were treated like royalty! Fortunately, Andrea was always near to translate for us since he was the only English speaker at the lodge.What would have been nice to know:~The price of all beverages at the Trapiche, we barely had enough cash at the end to cover the very inflated cost of the few beers and drinks we had while there.~To bring field glasses to better see birds and wildlife~A better estimate of how and when to tipWhat we were surprised by:~How little wildlife we saw (some, but I imagined there might be a lot more.)~How few mosquitos there were! (Elena told us but I could scarcely believe they were nearly non-existent!)~How clever various guides were in getting great pics for us~How wonderful the fish, fruit, sides and the Caipirinhas were!~How much fun it was to shop from local artisans~How delightful it can be to try a trip a little out of our usual comfort zone!Thank You Elena for a VERY Memorable Trip!
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