Peru – The Amazon – Learning on the River

Granddaughter and contributing Amazon expedition photographer, Emma, is helping her school raise money to drill wells to provide clean water to needy communities in Africa.  So far they have raised $12,705.  Each well costs $5,000 and they are hoping to raise enough to fund 4 wells before the drive closes at Thanksgiving.  If you are interested in giving a hand, check out mycharitywater.org/m1/2015

As the Delphin II motors on to our next destination, the crew furthers our education.

We’re introduced to the exotic fruits we’ve been eating.

We have a lesson in how to shoot a blow gun.

Our National Geographic photographer, Jeff, gives us lessons in an attempt to improve our photos.  Many of us are using smart phones, nothing to compare with his equipment.

Here’s a daily schedule.  Bar tender Aldo teaches us how to make Pisco Sours – very important! Pisco is a grape brandy made from muscat grapes.  His recipe:

Shake with ice – 1 oz lemon juice, 1 egg white, 1 1/2 ounce pisco, 3/4 oz simple syrup. Pour into glass and add three drops of angostura bitters to the foam.  YUM!

Our multi-talented steward, Elvis, is a wiz at towel origami.    Every morning, when we return from breakfast, we find another one of his masterpieces on our bed. Unfortunately, the video of Elvis demonstrating how to make an elephant is too big to include.

After dinner the Chunky MonkeysIMG_0861 – the crew band – introduce us to local music.  Elvis is the star, playing his native flute.  Lucio, our expedition leader from Equador, has the best moves.IMG_0859