It's
a short list, we provide almost everything you need, except;
Insect repellent.
All the cabins have screened windows and doors so insects in the cabins
are not an issue. But for hiking around the lodge or being on the river,
we do recommend insect repellent. The preferred stuff will have 30-40% DEET.
While you can buy stuff that is 100% is doesn't do any better job of keeping
the insects away. Products with 5 to 30 % DEET keep away the same insects
but doesn't do it for as long at the 30-40% stuff. Our advice would be to
keep the stuff on your ankles and feet all the time. Maybe your arms and
face as you need it. Do be aware that the heavy duty DEET can react with
synthetic materials like nylon and dissolve it. Don't waste your time with
the "smell good" insect repellent; you need the good stuff.
Flashlight There are no streetlights in the
jungle; it's DARK out here. Going from the main dining hall back to your
cabin or to the some of our other activities at night can result in stumped
toes or unexpected dips in the river. A small LED penlight or the "headlamps"
that clip on to cap visors can be a real help and is highly advised.
Sunscreen. Rember that we are near the Equator, very close to the sun.So
specifically your sunscreen should contain no less than an SPF 15, and should
include UVA protection with titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, avobenzone or
Mexoryl SX (or Tinosorb outside North America). But the SPF factor only
indicates UVB (or surface sunburn) protection and an SPF over 30 doesn't
offer any better protection from UV rays. Depending on your personal skin
type you may need to wear sunscreen any time you are outside and should
be reapplied frequently (every 40 to 80 minutes if swimming or perspiring,
even with water-resistant sunscreen).
Lightweight long-sleeve shirts and pants (at least 2 changes)
Jeans and other heavy cotten clothes don't work very well in this climate.
They don't breath as well, and take too long to dry when they get wet. New
developments in "performance" clothing are nice but pricy. Cheap
"wind pants" are light, breath well and dry quickly. Most also
have zip-off legs to convert to shorts. T-shirts; of course.
Rain poncho
This part of the world is called the "rain forest" for a good
reason. Even in what is called the dry season, it can (and will)rain at
anytime of the year. A cheap, disposable poncho is great to just have in
your pocket. Also good for protecting camera gear.
Water
Bottle We have our own water filtration system so you have access to plenty
of fresh, clean, pure water, but it's not a bad idea to have your own water
bottle.
A
good book
We have a small library at the lodge, but you might consider bringing your
own favorite and leaving at the lodge when you go. Recommended reading would
be The End of the Spear, by Stephen Saint. The true story
of 5 missionaries killed in the jungles of Ecuador in 1965 and the son who
came back to continue his father's work. Or Joseph Conrad's Heart
of Darkness, about a boat trip up the Congo River into the depths
of Africa to an isolated outpost run by a crazy person. Has a lot of parralles
to the boat trip up the Arajuno River to the Arajuno Jungle Lodge..
Personal hygiene items We
try to keep a few things on hand, but as luck will have it, whatever you
need we probably won't have at that time. We do have soap, shampoo and bath
towels in the rooms.
A
Decent Hat Bill
caps are popular, we even sell an Arajuno Jungle Lodge cap ourselves, but
also so very practical are "tilley" hats which not only keep the
sun off your eyes, but off your ears and neck also. Some people like the
caps with the flap that unfolds to shade their neck.
