Puerto Maldonado

We stayed 2 nights in Puerto Maldonado. I didn't know much about the place going into it, and as it turns out there is not much to know about the place. Actually Its got a cool lIttle hIstory, but one full day here is more than enough. It's a larger town (400k) that sits pretty isolated in the world, at the confluence of the tambopata river and rio madres, so you can still view rivers and the amazon jungle..just from a little further away. But still feel more if it's heat since you are surrounded by concrete and not trees. We mainly used this time to regroup after the Salkantey and Amazon excursions. And do much needed laundry. It got pretty lively at night as everyone hangs around the plaza de armas. It was a cool vibe. lots of famIlIes. Very relaxed since the city itself is pretty far removed from the larger world. You feel this at the airport too haha. Defintely no need to arrive two hours early here. The daily flights for each airline pop in one at a time, passengers and luggage go out to the plane together, and you head back to where the planes came from (Cusco/Lima).

The Amazon is a powerful and important place, the whole world should care that it's protected. Hard to put into words how alive it feels. Would be great to make it back someday.