Fancy a trip to the Amazon?
Why not take the trip of a life time, and see your aquarium fish in their natural habitat?
When it comes to a list of things to do before I die, a trip the the Amazon has to be top, and I was very lucky a few years ago to be able to do just that.
I was a freelance PFK writer back then, not very well traveled and with a healthy fear of the unknown. My passion for fish however and the need to better understand their natural habitats drove me to go, and I am so glad that I did!
It wasn't just the Amazon rain forest I wanted to visit though as for me it was all about the rivers lakes, and fish. We found the perfect trip provider in the form of Amazon Trekkers owned and run by Englishman John Chalmers.
He provided the perfect bridge for us to be able to explore the Amazon waters as he owns a large, comfortable boat on which to stay, of course speaks English and a little Portuguese, is a hobbyist himself of some 50 years and understands fully the hobbyist's desires to search out small aquarium fish.
He also now lives in Manaus, the capital of Amazonia and the hub for South American fish exports, and has run several trips before. Heiko Bleher even chartered his boat the Alyson, on one occasion.
Take it easy
So much went on, on our 10 day excursion, that we took over three issues of the magazine to document our finds, though for those who didn't get to read it we spent time in the Rio Negro with Cardinal tetras, Angelfish, Dwarf pike cichlids and lots of catfish including Banjo and true Jaguar catfish.
When we weren't searching out fish we were sampling local foods, drinking beer, watching wildlife and fishing for some of the larger Amazonian fish - like Piranha and Peacock bass.
The best thing about the Rio Negro too, where the boat is based, is that there are no mosquitoes in black water habitats so you don't even get bitten - and don't worry about all the rumours like vampire bats and co as it is all very safe.
Get in touch
So why not give it a go? I spoke to John recently and he is offering some great recession deals. Group bookings are best as you will have more fun when in the company of other like minded people, and your accommodation will be cheaper too.
Visit the Amazon Trekkers website, www.amazontrekkers.com or email John at amazontrekkers@hobbyfish.net
Jeremy Gay: Wed August 19, 2009, 11:47 amViews: This entry has been read 4,400 times.
8 comments on: Fancy a trip to the Amazon?
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"Want to!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just starting the long hard trek to becoming a professional, 4yrs to complete a marine and freshwater biology degree so im even more pennyless than most people. Just wondering if booking this trip would be worth 4yrs living off 11p noodles?!? Hell who needs to eat anyways!"
Posted by: David East - 3 months agoDate: Saturday August 22nd, 2009, 6:09 pm
"When do we leave?"
Posted by: Bob Mehen - 2 months, 4 weeks agoDate: Sunday August 23rd, 2009, 6:03 pm
"Dave i know where you can get noodles for 9p!
Lets go to the amazon."
Date: Wednesday August 26th, 2009, 2:37 am
"Don't wee in the water when you get there!
I always thought that the Candiru's ability to swim upstream was much exaggerated and the stories of men with a Candiru jammed in their urethra was a myth.
Well Iam pleased to tell you that both things are true!
I watched a documentary recently which both demonstrated that the Candiru has a natural inclination to swim up a stream of water, and showed pictures from a Candiru removal operation!
When gentlemen readers have uncrossed their legs perhaps they would like to hear how fascinating Candiru are. They home in on the waste products from fishes respiration, swim right into their gills then chew their way in. They feed on the fishes blood and then after feeding, which is invariably fatal for the host fish, they sink back into the river's mud and wait for their next fish victim (or foolhardy traveller who is urinating into the river).
They can swim up a 2 or 3 inch urine stream. So if you plan on having a fishy holiday on the amazon ensure that there is a good foot or so of space between your old man and the water's surface when having a leak into the river.
Oh yes, if you walk in the Amazon drag your feet instead of picking them up. Rays live in it, and it isn't the much maligned Pirhana that the natives fear, it is the ray which alarms them.
Enjoy your holiday!
karl
"
Date: Wednesday August 26th, 2009, 2:53 am
"One simple question!
How much?
Oh and will you take the wife as a down payment? Ill chuck the kid in for free!"
Date: Wednesday August 26th, 2009, 6:29 pm
"A cheaper option is to snorkel in the med. i dunked my head under water and found i was surrounded by brightly coloured beauties of at least 4 different species. as lovely as many an aquarium fish and bigger too. all the people swimming above had no idea. "
Posted by: Rowena James - 2 months, 2 weeks agoDate: Wednesday September 2nd, 2009, 2:10 am
"hey erm what is that fish in the picture any other care info would be helpful thank you"
Posted by: Perdeep Maan - 1 month, 1 week agoDate: Friday October 9th, 2009, 9:06 pm
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Posted by: Kit Morrison - 3 months agoDate: Saturday August 22nd, 2009, 2:13 pm