Our trip was spectacular--the nature and ancient ruins were beyond belief!
Our trek through the great rain forest at the end of the expedition started to the pitter-patter of rain and the many mysterious sounds of the forest. It had been raining for quite a while, which was not a bad thing. The rain makes everything so soothing, cleaner, and fresher!
We dirtied our boots hiking to the Oxbow Lake while hunting with our cameras for the giant river otter. To our dismay we did not see this rare creature. However, birds, fish, and mysterious bubbles floating to the surface from deep within the water set the perfect mood for our exploration.
We dirtied our boots hiking to the Oxbow Lake while hunting with our cameras for the giant river otter. To our dismay we did not see this rare creature. However, birds, fish, and mysterious bubbles floating to the surface from deep within the water set the perfect mood for our exploration.
We
pulled our boat close along the Oxbow's banks. What made me jump was
when, to my surprise, our tour guide pulled out fishing poles--made of
simple sticks--and said, "Piranha fishing!"
Wow! A year ago I never would have thought in my wildest dreams that I would be piranha fishing in the middle of the Amazon rain forest! I hooked two piranhas.
I felt really bad because I hooked one through its eye! Piranha fishing is completely different from regular fishing. Right as you put the hook in the water there are bites; the hard part is hooking them! They are so fast! Every waking moment has been an adventure. It has not been an easy, relaxing adventure, but a hands-on exploration that took a lot of teamwork to make each day a success. We became a great team of explorers; we worked hard and played hard TOGETHER!
I felt really bad because I hooked one through its eye! Piranha fishing is completely different from regular fishing. Right as you put the hook in the water there are bites; the hard part is hooking them! They are so fast! Every waking moment has been an adventure. It has not been an easy, relaxing adventure, but a hands-on exploration that took a lot of teamwork to make each day a success. We became a great team of explorers; we worked hard and played hard TOGETHER!
For everyone that is going to enter next year, just keep trying. Your time is definitely worth it!!!
Again, it sounds like an amazing expedition in the Amazon. That's cool that you caught two piranhas! I am definitely going to work my heart out to win this contest. I know I can, and I know the National Geographic Hands-On Explorer Challenge judges will be impressed. I know that they will be so impressed that they, like what probably happened to all you winners, will pick me as a finalist and then a winner (after the interview of course). I am going to try to write my entry from (hopefully) a unique point of view that (again, hopefully) no one has written about before. I know I can do this! Good luck to everyone else entering too! Get ready for a trip of a lifetime!
Piranhas?! That sounds amazing! The rainforest sounds really beautiful and peaceful. The picture is really cool. I've never gone fishing with a stick before, but I'm willing to learn.
Wow, I felt like I just traveled back to Peru and jumped on those boats again to go fishing for Piranhas. I even felt like I actually caught a Piranha! (No one on our boat was able to catch a Piranha that day, although we didn't seem to have trouble catching other fish!) Great blog, Lijah.
I am loving reading the blogs over and over. I feel like I am reliving the expedition all over again! :)
Kenna
Piranha fishing? Who'd a thought that you would experience that in your travels to Peru! Having a hook in your eye may not be the most pleasant sensation in the world! Dont feel bad, Lijah, it wasn't your fault. I recently saw a show on Animal Planet about Piranhas. Talk about ferocious! on the show it said that a three year old boy fell in to piranha infested waters and was devoured within a couple of minutes. Sorry if that was a bit graphic! Amazing how nature can be so beautiful and yet so harsh sometimes! Well, be glad that you got to experience that, im sure it was truly amazing!