At last a real shower...in river water again

So when we got to Iquitos it was boiling, muddy and also quite smelly, at least in the port. There was dirt and rubbish everywhere near the port. I was totally convinced I was going to fall off the planks leading off the boat into the water, sandals with no grip, hot sweaty feet a heavy backpack and a rucksack is pretty much a match made in heaven for falling over. Thankfully I made it without making a spectacle of myself.

The port was crowded and busy and with people trying to get us to come with them, talk to them, stare at us. Whilst we were negotiating a price for the motor taxi my friend stopped a small and persistent boy from trying to steal my shampoo tucked into the side of my backpack. We had heard that theft was rife. One girl, we even heard, had had all her money and travel documents taken from her whist she was getting her bearings having just got off the boat, it was probably the guy who had been 'helping' her and giving directions.

Backpacks loaded up on the back and clutching them still from inside the seats of the motor taxi we made our way over to our pricey waterside hostel. I pretty much never pre-book but the friends I was travelling with were significantly more organised then me. I simply rely on turning up and asking some locals, it can mean much cheaper deals than what you find online. In this, case after days on a boat we felt like we deserved a little bit of pampering and it was great to cut out the fuss and panic of looking for a good place, asking, explaining and haggling. The hostel was blissful, looking out on the river a floating room made entirely from recycled wood with an en suite bathroom that used the water straight out of the river. It was great having our own little space after the confines of the boat.

I was first in the shower. I scrubbed and scrubbed and even washed my hair twice. Being clean again felt like being reborn, unfortunately in the high heat and humidity of Iquitos it wasn't a sensation that lasted that long.

A fresh change of clothes at last!!!!

We relaxed for a bit in our own space and then went out for a walk to see what Iquitos had to offer.

The floating hostel

The view from the floating hostel