Brasil: Day 8 (Part 3)

March 27, 2010

As previously hinted, the next stop of the day was quite unforgettable. So unforgettable, that if I had not taken pictures, I might have thought it was a dream! When I recount this story to friends and family, I have jokingly been claiming that this stop was at a “magical creature port.” Since when our boat docked, we were greeted by the most adorable children, who each held in their hands a unique Amazonian animal.

I did not know in that moment whether I should take pictures, talk to the children, or play with the animals? The first creature that was presented to me was a baby crocodile. Having experienced a wild one the night before, I decided to pass on holding it.

Although, I did not pass on holding the next creature that was presented to me, which was a sloth, or “lazy monkey” as the children affectionately called it.

I cannot imagine a more adorable creature (and I have encountered some cute ones in my life). It took every ounce of being to not run off with it, especially when it reached up to my head and started to rub me in a very loving way.

After some more tender moments with my sloth, the children left with their animals and searched for their fathers. They claimed that they had an even more special creature. A couple of minutes later a gigantic anaconda was in front of my eyes.

We all stood there in absolute amazement; part in awe of how beautiful this creature was and part in shock of how deadly this creature could be. Of course, I had to be the person who volunteered to put the anaconda around my neck. I will not lie, my heart was racing the entire time. I remember how surprisingly soft its skin was. I also remember how within thirty seconds of putting it around my neck, it began to try and suffocate me. At around the minute mark, it took two men to get it off of me. I guarantee you if I had left it around my neck for another minute I would have been dead.

Due to there being no more new animals to play with and that I was a bit freaked out about the anacanda experience, we headed into the forest to visit one of the oldest trees in the Amazon. Was does an “old tree” look like you might wonder? And I would tell you: imagine its base being about the size of four cars side-by-side and a trunk that extended so high into the sky it was impossible to see where it ended.

On our way back to the port I just had to see my sloth one last time. I found it being played with by two precious girls.

It was difficult to say goodbye to my friend, but I knew it was in good hands.

We had been told that this was our last stop of the day, however our guide said that we actually had time for one more stop to see another Amazonion creature before we were finished for the day. What other creature could it be?

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Andi Perullo de Ledesma

I am Andi Perullo de Ledesma, a Chinese Medicine Doctor and Travel Photojournalist in Charlotte, NC. I am also wife to Lucas and mother to Joaquín. Follow us as we explore life and the world one beautiful adventure at a time.

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34 thoughts on “Brasil: Day 8 (Part 3)

  1. Abby

    Wow, girl. You’re brave! I’m sure everyone’s dying to take a trip with you! I don’t know whether to beg you myself or run for the hills. You have so much fun!! How long were you traipsing through Brazil anyway? I need to go back and review your whole trip!!

    Reply
  2. Sofia - As We Travel

    That’s NUTS!! I don’t know if I would have dared to do that….
    I can imagine that sloth stole your heart, it’s adorable!
    First time I saw a picture of a sloth was when a friend of ours showed pictures on one she saved from drowning in the amazon river, sooooo cute with that funny hair do 😉

    Reply
  3. Laura

    Thanks for sharing so much of your trip – I really felt like I was right there! I like your writing style, very personal. The sloth looks so cool and I can’t wait to see the “surprise” animal haha! I’m glad you had such a nice trip to Brazil… I’m dying to get to Amazonia next time I go there!!

    Reply
  4. Chris - The Aussie Nomad

    The sloths look like the best pets. Lay around all day, hanging out for a cuddle oh the life 🙂 The markings on the tree are really cool. To think in the wet season you would have been standing under so much water.

    Looking forward to the next post and what animal you got to play with next.

    Reply
  5. Heather

    I’m so happy to have found your blog via Tackling the Globe. I have been so immersed in your Brazil photos, they are absolutely breathtaking. I especially love all the ones of the favelas, and the anaconda picture has given me perma-goosebumps! You’re brave!

    Reply
  6. Kyle

    I would take the sloth over the anaconda, ANY day. I cannot believe some of the things you do on your travels. You’re incredibly brave!!!

    Reply
  7. Aly

    I would have LOVED being on that tour with you!!! The sloth is just too cute, but so are those little girls playing with it! I can’t imagine walking up on an Anaconda that size in the wild though!!

    Reply
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  9. Adriana

    stumbled upon your blog and the first post I see is about my country! wow! 🙂 I finally made it to the Amazon last year, went to a tribe in the state of Acre… where did you go, Manaus? great blog, will be visiting often!

    Reply
  10. Catia

    Awww, that sloth is so adorable! You look very brave in the picture with the anaconda, I’m not sure I could have kept a smile on my face for that.

    Reply
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  13. Carl

    Wow, simply amazing! Your blog is just too cool. Thanks for sharing Andi and good luck in your future travels.

    Reply

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