Monday 27 April 2015

River Amazon in Colombia - April 27th 2015

Leticia is the southernmost city in the Republic of Colombia, capital of the department of Amazonas, Colombia's southernmost town and one of the major ports on the Amazon river. It has an elevation of 96 meters above sea level and an average temperature of 27 °C (80.6 °F). Leticia has long been Colombia's shipping point for tropical fishes for the aquarium trade. Leticia has approximately 33,000 inhabitants on the left bank of the Amazon river, and is located at the point where Colombia, Brazil and Peru come together in an area called Tres Fronteras.
A long-standing border dispute involving Leticia, between Colombia and Peru, was decided in 1934 by the League of Nations after these two nations were engulfed in an armed conflict known as the Colombia-Peru War. This was the first instance of action by an international body using its powers covered by the Monroe Doctrine.

Amazon Jungle viewed from our Aeroplane

Leticia Airport Colombia
Cupuaçu, also spelled cupuassucupuazúcupu assu, and copoasu, is a tropical rain forest tree related to cacao. Common throughout the Amazon basin, it is widely cultivated in the jungles of ColombiaBolivia and Peru, with the largest production in Pará, followed by Amazonas, and Rondônia.
Cupuaçu trees usually range from 5 to 15 meters (16 to 50 feet) in height. They have brown bark and leaves are 25–35 cm (10–14 in) long and 6–10 cm (2–4 in) across, with 9 or 10 pairs of veins. As they mature, the leaves change from pink-tinted to green, and eventually they begin bearing fruit. Cupuaçu fruits are oblong, brown, and fuzzy, 20 cm (8 in) long, 1–2 kg (2–4 lb) in weight, and covered with a thick (4–7 mm), hard skin.

Cupuazú Fruits

Fruit Market in Leticia Colombia

Flooded River Amazon (10 Metres or 33 Feet above normal)
Colombian Naval Vessel
Hotel Decameron Deca Ticuna in Leticia
Amazona Ghost Gecko
Parroquia Nuestra Senora De La Paz.
Typical Tourist Shop
Giant Anaconda in the Hotel dinning area
Indian Shaman
The Blue house is the last house in Colombia. Two Metres (Yards) to the right is the start of Brazil
'Victoria Amazonica' Giant Water Lilies
Monkey Island





Marpesia Berania Berania
Grey River Dolphin
Pink River Dolphin
Large Billed tern
Amazona Tribal Fishermen
Siproeta Stelenes
Flooded Tribal Tourist Store
Flooded Hotel in Puerto Narino
Puerto Narino. An Eco-Town. No Cars or Motorcycles allowed
During the Rainy season, these walkways are the only way to get around.
Fresh captured fish in Puerto Narino
Far left you can see one of the houses under water in Puerto Narino
Look out tower in Puerto Narino
Rainbow on the Amazon River
Refugio Amazonas
Local Taxi
Brazilian Boarder - No Boarder Controls. Gateway to the town of Tabatinga
Brazilians just love sandals - Must be 30 or more shops all in the same street
Its not so easy to take your catch home when the Town is partially flooded.
Not sure of the name of this snake, but the Brazilians said it was very poisonous.

EVIDENCE - This cheeky Monkey stole my Rum and Coke
Plane used to belong to Pablo Escobar. Was shot down in Brazil with over $6 Million on Board. Later the money went missing.
Brazilian Fisherman
Photo taken in Brazil. To the right the trees are in Colombia, and to the left in Peru

Fresh cooked fish at a native Indian house deep in the jungle.
The Indian Family. The were super and shared many stories with us


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Saturday 4 April 2015

Luna Eclipse - 4th April 2015

We set our alarm for 5am on Saturday 4th April 2015 in order to see the Luna Eclipse. We stayed in our pyjamas, put on a coat and headed outside in near zero temperatures.

Below are the pictures we took. We were not able to see a full eclipse as the moon ducked behind a group of trees. However, I am very impressed with the pictures we did get. The images are in sequence.

05:12am
05:14am
05:16am
05:23am
05:26am
05:28am
05:28am
05:31am
05:33am
05:41am