Our guides, Juan Carlos and Mariano, did all the paddling work while we enjoyed the ride.  Much to our delight, they were experts at the birds, of which there were plenty.  Our rainforest companions for the next few days were a pair of Australians, Josie and Vivian, on the final leg of a marathon adventure travel trip, from Antarctica to the Andes to the Galapagos to the Amazon.  They were charming and delightful fellow adventurers.