Activities

Contents

Class Projects

Places to Visit

St Joseph's School

Contributed Stories

Contributed Pictures

Answers to Questions

-- Week 1

-- Week 2

-- Week 3

-- Week 4

-- Week 5

-- Week 6

-- Week 7

-- Week 8

-- Week 9

-- Other Questions

Other Questions

1. Daniel – Good Shepherd Primary, Kelmscott, Western Australia

How long is the Amazon River?

It's really big. Its 6,275km long (according to Microsoft Encarta). The problem is that many different books give different lengths. This is because people disagree about exactly where the river begins and end. But although the Amazon may be a little shorter than the Nile (6,671 km), it is definitely a much greater river because of the huge amount of water that flows through it. About two-fifths of all the fresh water on earth.

2. James – Good Shepherd Primary, Kelmscott, Western Australia

Are you concerned about diseases you might give to the natives in the Rainforest?

Yes I am. But the natives of the area that I'm going into were first contacted decades ago, so have already been exposed to the diseases of Europeans. Fortunately, scientists now know much more about these diseases. The prime killer of Indians, a disease called Smallpox, has now been eradicated. There are vaccinations for other diseases such as tuberculosis which are available to the Indian communities. Because I have also had many vaccinations, I am sure that I am healthy and should not pass anything on to the Indians.

3. Hannah – Good Shepherd Primary, Kelmscott, Western Australia

What contact will you have with the wild animals of the region?

I have already had contact with some wild animals. I played with many monkeys when I was at Ariau. But these monkeys aren't really wild because they are used to people, and are quite playful and friendly. Most wild animals will run away if they see humans.

While at Ariau, I did go on a night expedition to capture some small alligators. They were only about two feet long and not very dangerous. We just looked at them, and held them, while a guide explained to us how they live. The next day we went swimming, and saw some Amazon river dolphins swimming not far away from us. In most cases, I only get a quick glimpse of wild animals before they realise that I am there and disappear back into the forest or the river.

4. Robert F – Good Shepherd Primary, Kelmscott, Western Australia

Do you expect to encounter any piranha?

I went fishing for them today (July 21). I didn't catch any (we baited our hooks with raw meat), but some other people in the boat did. Piranha can be cooked. I am told that they are delicious.

I hope that I don't encounter any piranha while swimming. I just listen to the advice of people that know the area who tell me where it is and isn't safe to swim.

5. Robert F – Good Shepherd Primary, Kelmscott, Western Australia

I've read about piranha and the books say that they move in packs. Do you think its true?

Yes, they do. Many fish move in groups called "schools". From my limited experience piranha fishing, I don't think that there were huge numbers of piranha in these groups. But piranha have an extremely good sense of smell. When they detect blood there might be several nearby groups of piranha which converge onto the same spot so that there are suddenly lots and lots of piranha. This happens mostly in the dry season when they are short of food.

Right now, the rivers are very high and there is lots of food for the piranha - which means that they are less likely to swarm together and attack.

6. Emma Reading – New Zealand

Please ask Andrew where is he now today 23/7/97 ? Has he been in the rainforest yet, if so did he see any animals?

Yes, I have been to the rainforest near Manaus. I haven't seen a great deal of big animal running around the forest because the animals are often difficult to see (they are adapted to hiding themselves through camouflage). There has also been hunting here in the past, so many of the animals are endangered.

The forest near here is currently flooded because it is high water season - so we travelled through it by canoe. I saw lots of birds (including hummingbirds), frogs, insects and butterflies, and catfish. I went fishing for piranha (some other people in the boat caught some but I didn't), and capture (and re-released) and small jacarΘ/alligators. I went swimming in the river, and managed to see two pink Amazon river dolphins, called botos, swimming nearby.

I have visited Ariau towers, which is a wildlife recovery programme set in the rainforest. I saw and played with many monkeys, macaws, and a coatimundi.

7. Aimee Cloney – Class 3MD, Papanui School

When it rains what kind of shelter will you use?

Anything available!

I've been known to shelter under shop awnings, in doorways, and under trees. I also have a plastic raincoat that folds up really small ($NZ3 from Para Rubber) stashed in an accessible place in my backpack ... but typically, I didn't have it with me when I got caught the rain last week.

8. Faatafa – Class 3MD, Papanui School

How are you paying for the trip?

Up until the beginning of July, I had a real job. I was a computer programmer and support person at ANZ Bank. Over the past 18 months its helped me buy the things I need (air tickets for two trips to Brazil, laptop computer, scanner, software and heaps and heaps of books). For me, the trip means practice before I go to study in the United States for a Masters degree in Instructional Systems Design.

Telecom have also helped cover some of the expenses, and there is a tourist company here in Manaus who have been terrific by giving me a free stay and Internet access (although the Internet access ain't great here). Telecom's involvement means that I don't have to pay for the project-related calls to NZ (6 minutes to NZ cost $US43!!!)

9. Jemma – Class 3MD, Papanui School

What is the local food like over there?

There is lots of fruit - but most of it is different from NZ. When it is the same (eg. oranges and apples) the Brazilian fruit is smaller and usually doesn't look as great as in a NZ supermarket (although it tastes okay).

Brazilian meals tend to be simpler than in NZ. They don't appear to be keen on salads (even though I am in this hot weather). They eat lots of fish, and beef. Unfortunately, its often casseroled and overcooked. Some places barbecue their meat which (to me) tastes better. All that said - I'm mostly just eating light meals and salads.

10. Jemma – Class 3MD, Papanui School

How do you find your way around the river?

I don't. The rivers here are very confusing and are often a maze of small channels and tributaries. If it was up to me then I'd be lost and never heard from again.

Instead, I rely on the guides and local boat drivers to direct the boats.

11. Crystal – Class 3MD, Papanui School

When you are on the road what kind transport do you use?

I just use road transport in developed areas. In Porto Alegre, we drove around in my friend Susi's Volkwagen Golf. The place that I've staying in Manaus uses Volkswagen Combi Vans to transport people from the hotel to the docks (or visa versa). Within Manaus, I've also been using the public buses.

In Peru, my entry into Manu Reserve will be on the back of a truck. That is a pretty common form of transport in South America and is how I did lots of travelling in Cuba a few years ago.

12. Jemma – Class 3MD, Papanui School

Have you seen an anaconda?

No (Phew!). The lodge I stayed at was near where they filmed scenes for the movie (although the anaconda wasn't real)

I thought I saw an anaconda when I went swimming – but it turned out to be two playful river dolphins (much to my relief). I travelled through an ecological reserve a few days ago, along a river called "Rio de Osos" (River of Bones) because a giant anaconda was reputed to live there. The owner of the reserve said he was trying to entice it out – but it decided not to show itself.

Anacondas aren't as bad as in the movie (though I haven't seen it). The movie is mostly special effects and exaggerated. Anacondas have been known to eat humans – but very rarely. It takes a week or more to digest a single human – so they won't go on a sudden killing spree.

I have seen (and played with) smallish boa constrictors – which are in the same family as anaconda.

13. Jemma – Class 3MD, Papanui School

What is the biggest cat thay have there?

The Jaguar, locally known as an Onτa. It is the third biggest cat in the world, after the Lion and Leopard.

Jaguars are very rare. You are extremely lucky (or extremely unlucky) to come across one in the rainforest. They have been hunted out in populated/settled areas – often for their skins.

14. Emma Smart & Timothy Pennington, Room 6, Canterbury Christian College

Is the Amazon River rough or smooth and is the water dirty and brown.?

The waters of the Amazon river are muddy brown. The waters contain a lot of silt brought down from the Andes where the river begins. But the Amazon is just one river here (even if it is the biggest one). The Rφo Negro (Black River) has water coloured dark brown like tea. That's because its water is the run-off from the rainforest floor. The water passes through the leaf-litter and therefore gets stained with tannin. This water flows into lots of small rivers and streams that merge to become the Rφo Negro.

The Tapaj≤s river, by SantarΘm, has clear green waters.

There are waves on the big rivers – just like on big lakes in NZ, such as Lake Taupo. Whether or not there are waves depends mostly on the strength of the breezes. Big rivers usually have more noticeable waves than small ones (unless you count the rapids).

Finally, there's also an interesting phenomenon known as Pororoca (which means "destroyer"). Usually the force of the Amazon river pushes riverwater far out into the ocean. But during the new moon, the tidal pull of the ocean is enough to overcome the river - and the mixing of the river and ocean water causes giant waves. These waves are often 13 ft high - but have been recorded as high as 25 ft. They sweep up the river for hundreds of kilometers. The force of these waves is immense – enough to knock down trees and wreck houses & boats.

15. Emma Smart & Timothy Pennington, Room 6, Canterbury Christian College

Do wild animals come into the huts in the villages?

Well, when I stayed in the lodge in the forest (which was built among the trees), I found some tree frogs, as did lots of other people. The lodge had special doors designed to stop the monkeys getting into the building because they cause chaos.

Wild animals usually stay away from people because they are afraid of the noise (and of what people will do to them). But it is possible for them to wander into a village – especially at night when it is quiet. I read in a book about Sting's (of Police fame) experience in the Amazon. He stayed in an Indian village and woke-up in the middle of the night to find a deadly fer-de-lance snake in his hut. I'm not too sure how he escaped, but suffice to say that he did – though the snake wasn't so lucky.

There are also some Indian stories about jaguars occasionally wandering into villages where they play with local children.

16. Class 3MD, Papanui School

When do you hope to come back to New Zealand?

Mid-October (Or when the man from the credit card company starts getting nasty). The last audioconference is Sept 17, and after that I've got a few free weeks which I will plan later (to go look at other places like the Pantanal and Iguassu Falls).

17. Class 3MD, Papanui School

Would you do a trip like this again?

I would like to. Possibly something similar as a project for my masters degree in the USA (next year or the year after). I'd like to go along the old Arab silk route through the middle east and former soviet republics (the ones that end in "stan").

18. Class 3MD, Papanui School

What food do you eat?

Junk food!

Well - not quite. But sometimes that's all I seem to find. There are lots of places selling burgers (called Sanduich), so it is the easiest thing to buy. Last night I had chicken and salad, and a few days I had a huge meal of local fish plus salad and rice.

Brazilians tend to like sweet things – lots of their foods have sugar in them and the softdrinks have much more sugar than ours. As a result, my diet contains a lot of sugar even though I'm not so keen on it.

I try to eat salads although the guidebooks say not to eat salad in developing countries because of the water. But its hot and that's what I want to eat. The situation in Manaus doesn't seem too bad with water (when I shower here, I can taste chlorine, so I think the water has been treated).

19. Class 3MD, Papanui School

Are you afraid of the dark?

Hmmm ... sometimes. Usually no – but a few nights ago at the lodge in the rainforest there was a big gap under one of the doors and I was suddenly paranoid of a snake slithering in during the night (the chances of it happening are virtually none). But I put a big towel down to cover the gap, anyway, so that I felt more comfortable.

20. Class 3MD, Papanui School

Do you like New Zealand better than Brazil?

Well, the language in New Zealand is definitely much easier, and I think its a nicer/better place to live. But I like visiting exotic places too.

20. John Allan Paulsen – Class 3MD, Papanui School

Have you seen any temples if you have, have you been in one and what is it like?

They have lots of churches. The city of Salvador in Bahia (region of Brazil) has 324! But I haven't seen any temples. I might get a chance to see some old Inca ones in Peru - but the early missionaries and priests were extremely overzealous and set out to destroy all traces of the native religions. Many important native temples and shrines were destroyed, so it might now be difficult finding the remaining ones.

21. Michael Pilkington – Class 3MD, Papanui School

Have you been attacked by any animals?

Umm .. got bitten by ants, mosquitoes, and got I small bite (though it didn't hurt) from a monkey who objected to me try to show her the way outside.

Otherwise, I keep my distance from really wild animals or situations which look dangerous.

22. James – Good Shepherd Primary, Kelmscott, Western Australia

What would you do if you got lost?

First action is not to get lost in the first place (stay with other people as much as possible).

But, if I do get lost it would be foolish for me to wander further into the rainforest by myself. The best idea is to stay put - close to where people last saw me ... then concentrate on building shelter and a fire, and make it easier for them find me again.

23. Kalle – Good Shepherd Primary, Kelmscott, Western Australia

Have the monkey's stolen any of your property yet?

Nope. The trick is - don't give them the chance. :)

24. Michael – Good Shepherd Primary, Kelmscott, Western Australia

Did the monkey at Ariau Towers, who shared your hammock,fall asleep?

Yes, she did. It was mid-afternoon and hot. I guess it is traditional siesta time after all. People often feel tired when it gets hot, so I guess monkeys do too.

25. Jack – Good Shepherd Primary, Kelmscott, Western Australia

Have you seen any vampire bats and how dangerous are they?

Fortunately no. I have seen some fruit bats though. When I sleep at rainforest lodges the doors/windows are all closed or there is netting on the windows to stop things getting in.

Vampire bats are dangerous - not because they're related to Dracula, and will suck you dry. But the bites can transmit diseases such as rabies which are fatal without treatment.

26. Conor – Good Shepherd Primary, Kelmscott, Western Australia

Do you know how many soccer titles the Brazil team has won?

Sorry – I can't say (not really my sport). But I bet its lots. I'm sure they've won the soccer world cup many times.

27. Ben – Good Shepherd Primary, Kelmscott, Western Australia

Have you had any encounters with anacondas?

Nope. Thought I saw one when swimming - but turned out to be pink river dolphins (whew). Travelled by canoe on a small river called "Rio do Osos" (River of Bones) where a big one is rumoured to live – but it obviously had better things to do that day.

28. Cassie – Good Shepherd Primary, Kelmscott, Western Australia

Are you missing Susie?

Lots. She sends me email from time to time. But she's moving to Portugal to work, so I won't see her again for a long time. I like her very much, but we're mostly now just friends because we have different plans.

29. Sarah – Good Shepherd Primary, Kelmscott, Western Australia

Have you tried eating any wild berries and have you seen any toucans?

I won't pick things off trees to eat unless I know what they are. There are too many poisonous things in the rainforest to take the risk. But I have eaten berries brought from fruit stalls in Manaus. Aτai and guarana. There is another berry called acerola, but I don't like it. Usually I have fruit in a local drink (called Suco) which is the fruit, ice, sugar, water etc all mixed in a blender. Yummy!

I'm disappointed about not seeing toucans. I don't think there are many on the lower Amazon (below Manaus) because of the development. But I may see some in the Peruvian rainforest.

If I get desperate I can see them in the local zoo - but that's cheating.

30. Ian Hutton – Room 3, Mosgiel Intermediate School

Do you have any anti venom for poisonous spiders?

The chances of getting bitten are low. I don't think much anti-venom is available - so you just need to be very careful. I narrowly avoided some black widows in the USA.

Personally I'm more worried about snakes. The fer-de-lance is small, quick, and bad. Hundreds of Indians die in the rainforest each year from fer-de-lance bites - and they know the best ways to avoid snakes.

31. Foxton Beach School

What if any animals did the Incas farm?

The Incas farmed Llamas and alpacas. Llamas were used as pack animals (to carry loads) and for their meat and wool. Alpacas are like a smaller llama and produce much finer wool - they were't used to carry loads, though. Guinea pigs were also farmed in pens for food.

Both animals llamas and alpacas were domesticated by the Indians from wild animals called the guanaco and vicuna - similar to the way that middle eastern cultures domesticated sheep, goats, and cattle.

32. Foxton Beach School

What types of crops did they farm ? Are they still grown today ?

Potatoes and corn. These were the staples of the Inca diet. Corn orignally came from Central America and was brought by the tribes moving southwards. Potatoes originated in the Andean highlands (not in Ireland like lots of people think).

These crops are still grown today, along with other introduced crops such as rice, oranges, bananas, cabbage and pumpkin.

33. Foxton Beach Scool

How does the street life in Peru differ from Brazil?

There is much more tradition here. The clothes and traditional weaving patterns probably haven't changed a great deal in several hundred years. Whereas the people in Brazil dress much more like us. I think the traditions here are more important because civilised history stretches back for thousands of years – whereas civilised history only began in Brazil 500 years ago (the Indian traditions were mostly wiped out).

The people here in Peru are primarily Indian, and are descendants of the Incas. Their history is all around them. Outside Cuzco there are old Inca ruins, and there are many other ruins in Peru which are thousands of years old. The oldest European buildings here (450 years old) are built on the foundations of Inca buildings.

The cars here are older than Brazil. The taxi cabs are beaten-up 20 year old Toyota Coronas – much different from all the new(ish) Volkswagens and Fiats that I saw in Brazil.

34. Foxton Beach School

Are any Inca traditions still carried out today ? And what are they ?

There are still many handicrafts whose traditions go back to Inca times. These include woven textiles, Inca-style jewellery and statuettes. Most of theses made for the tourist trade.

35. Foxton Beach School

Are there any known Inca townships still in use today ?

There are lots of small mountain villages which have probably been on the same spot for thousands of years. They have little stone houses with thatched roofs which probably aren't too different from the houses of Inca times. I haven't seen any of these yet.

Cuzco was the Inca capital, and is still inhabited today. Though most of the Inca buildings were demolished by the Spaniards to make way for their own cathedrals and palaces. But many of these buildings have foundations from the older Inca buildings - and there are walls along the street dating from Inca times. You can tell Inca construction because they didn't use mortar - the rocks were cut so that the fitted together. Inca construction is more resistant to the many earthquakes here. Colonial buildings sometimes collapse but the older Inca ones remain standing - it may be because the lack of mortar holding stones together gives the walls a certain degree of flexibility.

36. Foxton Beach School

What ages do the children in Peru attend school ?

I'm not sure. I will try to find out and say in the audioconference. But I think they start school at about age 6. It probably isn't too different from our school ages.

37. Foxton Beach School

What did the Incas do to enforce the law ?

The Incas were pretty loyal. The laws were mixed with the religion – so following them was very important. And there was heavy peer pressure or pressure from your family if you broke them.

Because people were generally well looked after, they were able to live and prosper without resorting to crime. Life was community-oriented - people depended on their communities to help provide the resources (food, building houses, farming etc) for survival. Stealing or doing things to offend the community meant that life could become very difficult – so people simply didn't do it.

But, the Incas were very strict. When people broke serious laws, they were punishable by death.

38. Foxton Beach School

What is the climate extremes in Peru ?

In the south of the country, and along the coast, there are deserts. They're not particularly hot – but they're very dry. The Andes are very high and cold - in some places there is permanent snow. In the north-east, there are tropical regions which are hot and humid, and have jungles. Peru is a very diverse country.

If you check out one of the Lonely Planet Peru guidebooks from you local library or check out their website you can find out more. Other good sites are the Peru Information site and WeatherNews.

39. Jane Murray and Sarah Webber – Rangitikei Intermediate School, Marton

Are there any Zebras or Horses in the Amazon Forest?

Not in the rainforest. Though people sometimes ride horses on the farms. The horses are breeds imported from Spain and Portugal when South America was first colonised.

There used to be a native South American horse (they might have been similar to zebras) - but they were heavily hunted by the early Indians here, and became extinct about a 1,000 years before the Europeans reintroduced horses here.

40. Jane Murray and Sarah Webber – Rangitikei Intermediate School, Marton

Are the Pink Dolphins really Pink?

I heard that they start off grey, then turn pink as they get older.

I saw some briefly. They were a mottled grey/reddy-brown colour which is hard for me to describe Kind of like a brick tile – but I didn't get a particularly great view. So they're not bright pink ... just sort of pinkish

41. Josh and Jake – Belmont Intermediate School

What do you eat?

What I eat varies with whatever is available. In Manaus it was hot – so I liked to eat salads when they were available. Unfortunately the locals didn't like salads too much, so they were had to find. But lots of little cafes sold hamburgers (called sanduich). They were kind of simple, but yummy and always available. Other common meals included rice mixed with meat or fish.

In Cuzco, I've eaten more hamburgers – but they're often served on a plate, are quite big with locally produced meat, lettuce, and tomatoes. They're much better than McDonalds – more like the kid of burger you'd find at Burger Wisconsin. I think there are a lot of burgers here because there are lots of tourists. Yesterday I also had meal with potatoe and pumpkin soup, rice and meat, and then a sweet peach-flavoured syrup as dessert.

Sometimes when I get hungry during the day, I buy fresh fruit or (better still) find a little bakery and eat fresh bread or buns. They're very yummy.

42. Josh and Jake – Belmont Intermediate School

Have you seen any dangerous animals?

I saw a big jacare (alligator) one night when I was at Ariau Towers. It was swimming through the waters of the flooded forest below us, so we were able to watch it safely from one of the walkways built in the treetops. But jacares are timid and rarely attack humans.

There weren't many really wild or dangerous animals in the rainforest around Manaus because the area has been settled for a long time, and hunters have been through the surrounding rainforest. But I may see lots more wwild animals (like snakes and maybe even a jaguar) when I travel through some undeveloped rainforest in the the Peruvian Andes. This will be next week. If I do see any wild animals I'll let you know through the audioconferences.

43. Josh and Jake – Belmont Intermediate School

What is the weather like?

In Manaus it was really hot and tropical. Most days felt as if they were over 30 degrees – and I think some got up to 35 degrees. Throughout most of the day I was covered in sweat (especially whe out walking) and had to shower three times a day (and change my clothes at least once).

In Cuzco, I am more 3,300 metres (10,900 ft) up in the Andes. It is quite warm in the sun, but much colder if you are in the shadows. The nights can get quite chilly too. Temperture during the day is about 20 degrees, which isn't bad – but it feels cold to me after having spent lots of time in Manaus (for the past few days I've had to wear a jersey and a thick jacket to keep from shivering).

44. Josh and Jake – Belmont Intermediate School

What is the food like?

The food is quite good. It isn't as fancy as the food that you'd get in cafes and stores in NZ, but it is quite edible. I'm usually a little careful about where I buy food – I check the place out to see if it looks hygenic and to see if there are other people eating there (usually locals), which is a good sign.

Today I strolled through a big open-air marketplace where the local people buy their produce. It is very different to NZ. There are open air butchers shops without refrigerators – you can see the meat being chopped up, and on the ground are severed sheeps' heads and other things. Not much blood though, thankfully. I expected there to be lots of flies – but there were hardly any. Perhaps they don't survive too well high up in the Andes. The narrow streets were lined with hundreds of little stalls selling fresh fish (possible caught in Lake Titicaca or nearby rivers), bananas, oranges, apples, melons, pumpkins, grapes, olives, lettuce, carrots and lots of other stuff. There were even stalls selling live chickens!

There were lots of local people at the market – mostly Peruvian Indians colourfully dressed. Many of the women were carrying babies on their backs in special woven bags. If you look in your school or local library, you may be able to find some books with pictures of Peruvian people to help you imagine the scene.

45. Josh and Jake – Belmont Intermediate School

Where did you stay in Manaus?

I stayed at a few different places. Outside Manaus I stayed at Ariau Towers , which is a tourist lodge in the middle of the rainforest. There are lots of monkeys and macaw running around because it also has a wildlife programme to re-release animals back into the rainforest.

In Manaus, I stayed at a hotel called Hotel Monaco. It is a simple, and quite old-fashioned hotel. But it is comfortable and clean – and is owned by the same company as Ariau Towers. The hotel is a little run down, but the staff are friendly. Its a little like the hotels you see in some movies set in remote places – very interesting.

I kept telling myself that it was not just a hotel – but an adventure. There were frequent powercuts which stopped the lifts, and I often had to wander down stairs lit with candles. The powercuts weren't the hotel's fault – sometimes the power company doesn't have enough electricity to supply the entire city, so they have rolling powercuts where they cut power to one city block for a few hours, then reconnect the power and cut someone else off instead. I think this is quite common in some countries where the services aren't so good

In Manaus, I also moved to a very cheap ($US8 per night) hotel called Hotel Iguassu. It was in a very poor area – but there were lots of cheap little restaurants, and it is where all the local people went. The hotel had a very run-down feel about it. There was a communal bathroom and showers (cold water only) and the room that I was given was tiny. There was just room for a single bed with a tiny bit of floorspace. The small hotel lobby (where people gathered to watch television) and the rooms were very hot – sometimes it felt like a sauna and I was covered in sweat. But I liked staying here the best because I got to meet lots of local people and have interesting conversations (especially in the small nearby lunchbars). I like Brazilians very much because they are friendly and fun to talk with.

46. Josh and Jake – Belmont Intermediate School

What do people do for leisure?

Football (soccer) is popular. Dancing is extremely popular in Brazil – and there are many special dances. There was a big Boi Bumba festival when I was there – so many local people were dancing boi bumba. But bolero (kind of like tango) was popular too.

When I walked through some of the parks during the evening, I could see friends gathered to pass the evening by playing cards, dominoes, and even chess.

Of course, Brazilians also have theatre, television, and cinema just like we do.

47. Josh and Jake – Belmont Intermediate School

Is the rainforest like the forests in New Zealand?

From what I've seen, Brazilian rainforests aren't as lush – with all the ferns and other shrubs that we have in NZ forests. But the trees are taller, and many have quite skinny trunks (and a few have really big trunks). There are lots of vines – and there are many plants which specialise in growing in the branches of other trees (with their long roots dangle down onto the ground below).

Of course, this type of rainforest might just be special to the area that I was in. Here, the forest floods during the wet season, so that you need to travel through the forest by canoe (I've also seen it in the dry season when you can walk around on foot). The floods may explain the lack of small plants on the forest floor.

I'm due to go on a trek through the Peruvian rainforest in Manu Reserve, in about a week's time. This rainforest is completely untouched and is in a much different environment than the area around Manaus. I'll tell you what this rainforest is like in one of the upcoming audioconferences.

48. Josh and Jake – Belmont Intermediate School

Are the hotels nice?

The hotels that I've stayed in are not very fancy. There are some very fancy hotels around, but they are very expensive and a mostly just full of rich American, Japanese, and European tourists. I don't have much money to spend, and I honestly prefer to spend my time staying with the locals because I learn so much more ... and it is more fun.

So, the hotels that I've stayed at are generally okay, but not very fancy. The cheaper ones are run-down, and sometimes I have to share the toilets and showers with other guests. But the important thing is that I feel safe – and that I think it is kind of fun. So, for me, the hotels (and the people I meet in them) are nice.