Our last day in the Amazon was one of the busiest. It was packed with activities including morning hiking, an afternoon canoe trip, and a night hike. We took a boat to a trail used strictly for night hiking. Hiking in the night gave us both a totally different perspective on the rainforest that we were used to seeing in the day. All of us brought flashlights to try to spot glowing eyes of animals or snakes. We spotted caimans, a huge frog, and a tiny baby possum amongst the trees. The guide showed us a cacao fruit and opened it for us to eat. The fruit tasted bland yet it was neat to see where cocoa comes from. Also at dinner, we ate fried piranha that some of our classmates and other guests caught on the river. There wasn’t much meat on the bones but the pleasant taste was a combination of chicken and fish. We’ll miss being fed full breakfast, lunch, and dinner but look forward to the different foods of Rio.

Overall, our experience here was unlike any other. We feel that we have gained full appreciation for the nature of the rainforest and the local community members of Amazonas. From boat rides to various hikes to eating every meal together, we feel a connection to Mamirauá. We will never forget the people, wildlife, and culture that made our experience so special. Tomorrow we will travel to Rio where the cultures will change but the memories of the Uacarai Lodge will remain in our thoughts throughout.