Iquitos, Peru

There are no roads to Iquitos, it can only be reached by plane or boat. Shortly after 5am I boarded my plane having achieved a little over 30 minutes of actual sleep on the airport chairs.


Ayahuasca is a very personal experience unique to each individual and no matter what your read, no matter what you think is going to happen, you will not be expecting it and you cannot prepare for it. The medicine shows you what you need to know and learn, whether you think you need to know and learn it or not. People come for different reasons and privacy must be respected for all who participate. Therefore I’ll only be referring to people as “the guy in the music industry” or “the girl from the Baltic region” with few pictures of anyone.

On the plane I met a guy who was heading to Blue Morpho for his 9th time to drink Ayahuasca, the same place I was going. I had done my research and found that not only was Blue Morpho the safest and most respected Shamanic center, but also the standard model that the Peruvian government was now using to issue licenses to other Shamanic centers. Whether you are drinking Ayahuasca for the 1st or 50th time you need a master shaman that you can trust, no exceptions. While there are probably a handful of good Shamanic centers I would never look anyplace other than Blue Morpho, and talking with “the 9th time guy” he confirmed all my findings. I would be in good hands and in a very safe place at Blue Morpho. While drinking Ayahuasca is not addictive it can carry significant and sometimes life threatening risks, so it’s extremely important to consult your doctor before making the journey. And yes, most doctors won't have a clue about Ayahuasca.

I was spending a night in a hotel in Iquitos to relax and prepare for my journey beyond the illusion. But after checking in to my hotel my blood was pumping and I wanted to check out the area. I walked out of the hotel and was bombarded by people selling everything and motorbike drivers wanting to take me anywhere. The hotel I was staying at was the same place where Blue Morpho picks up their guests and I would later be told that the word is out, Blue Morpho has the best gringos. I found a motorbike driver who kind of spoke English and told him I wanted to see the market, always a favorite for me. He said “Yes, get in”, and when I asked how much he replied with “Just a tip”. Knowing this would not end well if I left it at that I told him 50 Soles (around $15 USD). He agreed and I got in.


It’s so hot here that even with overcast they have to cover the motorbike seats to keep them cool.


Before we got to the market he took me through the town of Belen, which is where the market is. Belen is right on the Amazon and full of trash.


Yes, they are on stilts because the water really gets that high.




We then got on what passes for a boat to cross the Amazon. The fella next to us caught the local motorbike ferry.


The trash is even more pronounced when on the Amazon looking back.


I hope they discover a vaccination for Hepatitis C soon or I many have to limit my travels.


At least the locals have a clothes dryer.




This was either more trash or a yard sale, I never really figured it out.




This wooden enclosure floating on the river is the outhouse. Even if you bought the most expensive exhaust fan it would not help the smell.


The local church, during the wet season the water goes all the way up to the front door. I guess during the dry season they either bring their own ladder or just don’t worship during that time.


Kids at play.


Those log sticks are what keep their houses from floating away during the wet season.


We then headed through the village.


And came across the Victoria Regia lily pads which could hold a young baby or six pack of beer. The hotel I was staying at was named after these. The Victoria Regia was a 5 star hotel for Iquitos but 3 stars anyplace else.




We headed back through the village.




Then got back in our “boat” to head to the market. I was very careful not to touch the water or even get splashed as I was sure my body could not handle the filth that has yet to be discovered in this section of the river.






Hey, it’s party time.


Mapacho tobacco used in Ayahuasca ceremonies for protection.


Armadillo I believe.


A large ugly fish.


A toothless member of the piranha family.


The hoof department.




The turtle department.




And if river alligator is to your likling then look no further.




Sausage and cured "meat".


The mean lady in the poltury department that did not welcome my video camera.


The local spice rack.


The pharmacy.


You can even buy Ayahuasca here for cheap, you'll probably die, but you could save some money.


We got back early afternoon and I headed to bed to finally get some rest after being awake for the last 36 hours. I would be heading two hours up the Amazon by boat tomorrow to the Blue Morpho lodge, which would be my home for the next week.