The Thursday and Friday before Easter weekend are vacation days for all of Peru. Since the country is Catholic, Lima is filled with parades, ceremonies, and church services during the long weekend. We decided to use our break to drive out to the jungle for some family bonding time! Because we left a bit late, we ended up hitting big traffic leaving Lima and probably had 2 more hours in the car than usual, but it was a nice drive. The drive is about 2 hours on highway and 6 hours on pothole-covered dirt (mud) roads or winding mountain roads. It was a pretty tedious drive, especially for a girl who is very afraid of heights on a very thin road on the side of a mountain. Plus, my host dad drives like a bat out of hell which didn't help my nerves at all. We only got pulled over once for a security check, so it was calmer for that. I should have taken more photos of the roads we were on. They were pure mud and full of holes and bumps, but still considered national highways. We also climbed and fell in altitude a ton on the trip since we pass right through the mountains. That didn't help poor Paulo at all. He doesn't do too great in the altitude, but he managed to keep every fluid inside for this trip.
Highway nap for Otilia, great photo op for me! Jaja
At the highest point along the way. I just loved the snow and mountain lake.
When we did arrive in the lovely little German settlement of Oxapampa, we headed straight to be to get ready for a big next day. That big next day consisted of HUGE things! Our first stop was into the 'deep' jungle to see the waterfall of the Tiger River. I got eaten alive my bugs, but it was so beautiful and calming. There was a little ways to walk up to the waterfall, but it was so worth it. The whole place was covered in butterflies!
Me by the 'Catarata del Rio Tigre'I found a butterfly friend! His name was Spottie!
Coming back down from the waterfall was quite interesting as well. We had to pretty much drive through the river to get back! It was madness! There were some boys there to help push the cars when needed.
Bruno and I showing off the view!
About the cross the river! I was freaked!
Obviously we made it across okay because we headed back into town for some cool tours. Our first stop was to a famous cheese factory from the original German days. I don't know if you know, but Peru doesn't have the cheese that we eat back home. They really only eat queso fresco which is a very salty cheese that doesn't melt. I don't like it at all, but the Peruvians all think that our cheese is weird. I used my chance to buy some mozzarella and gouda! I've already eaten 3/4 of the gouda.
Saying HI to the factory workers!
Next we hit up the Wharapo, where they make alcohol from sugar cane. The alcohol is called wharapo like the distillery and it's a liquor very similar to Brazilian cachaça. The distillery is using the same machines and techniques that they used when they opened in 1890. I got to try a bit and it was actually pretty good! Shhh don't tell Rotary.
The distilling barrels.
Cool map of Oxapampa out front.
After Papa bought some wharapo, we got back in the car to go to a cave! The story of the cave is that a young princess fell in love with a warrior and wanted to marry him, but her father, the chief of the tribe, said no because of the man's dangerous job. The princess and the warrior ran away and hid in the cave until it was safe to escape. However, the chief put a curse on them that if they tried to cross the river, they would never get across to escape. When they finally did tried to leave, they turned to stone in the middle of the river where they still are today.
The cave was really pretty and rare for Peru. It was also very slippery and muddy!
Bruno and I in the cave!
Chilling out!
And my turn to chill!
The cave was VERY muddy!
We'd had a long day and were ready for dinner and bedtime after the cave. So we headed back for some Lomo Saltado and Inca Kola. We slept very well that night!
L
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