Second day in the Yacuma swamps

In the morning at 8 a.m., a rich breakfast buffet awaits our hungry mouths. Now let's go for that Finding an anaconda or other snakes, although this should be quite difficult with the current water level.

In a neighboring lodge you can get one young boa constrictor make out in the grass roof. We continue to discover red and black howler monkeys in the high treetops near the river.

The subsequent tour on a dry island in the middle of a sea of flooded grassland remains unsuccessful. But it is teeming with wet mud here Mosquitoes. At least we see numerous turtles sunbathing on the way back.

A little after our arrival it is unfortunately over with the rest. One of the numerous groups of young Israelis of the low-price providers has arrived. Their guide has identified a small, non-toxic snake that is now being passed through everyone's hands. An activity that is not only stressful for the animal, but is also unhealthy with all your hands full of toxins from sunscreen and mosquito spray. Our guide only says that this should be stopped, but does not do anything.

We stop at another lodge where numerous spectacled caimans you can see. Among them is the 4 m long and quite impressive Pepe. A rare black caimanwho calls this area his territory. Probably also motivated by feeding the lodge operators.

After lunch there is a siesta. A violent tropical downpour provides at least a minimal cooling. Then we take another boat trip. We drive over the extensive floodplain to the neighboring river, one more time Fishing for piranhas. But this time without a rod, which doesn't make it any easier.

But soon it works that way. It's unbelievable how many predatory fish are hiding here in the standing water under all the aquatic plants. In addition to the larger red piranhas, there are also yellow and white conspecifics to be found. As soon as the bait is thrown out, it is already broken down into individual parts. It often tugs on the leash without the skilled hunters biting their heels and the piece of meat is gone again immediately. The moment when our South Korean girls make their first catch is especially funny. With the first one mainly because of the background noise, the second one pulls on the line so violently that the wriggling fish flies in her face.

Back at the lodge, dinner including today's catch awaits. Then we try to talk to them about their travel plans and experiences before going to bed.