Tarapoto to Moyobamba Jan. 31 and Feb. 1

We birded for the morning up higher in the hills around Tarapoto, and had another breakfast on the side of the road (delicious again and thanks to Baldo, our driver for buying the food and preparing the meal).  It is cooler up higher and a nice temperature for birding until around 10.30 a.m., so we went back to town and packed up.  We left Tarapoto yesterday after a delicious lunch, climbing into the van where it was 42C.  Hard to believe, huh.  It cooled down to around 30C by the time we drove to Moyobamba, 2.5 hours back west of Tarapoto.  Tarapoto was a really different experience, it is hard to explain the vibrancy and business of the city, loud motorcycles zooming through the narrow paved/unpaved streets, in and around the motokars which are basically motorcycles fitted with a back seat that holds anywhere from 2-4 people, with a sun/rain cover on them.  The city and surrounding area has about 90,000-100,000 people.  It is hot and muggy there.

Moyobamba is smaller version of Tarapoto, but not as busy and is a little cooler as it is in the foothills. 
Here are some of the elevations we have been in so far:

Trujillo and Lima - sea level
Cajamarca - 2,600 meters
Leymebamba- one mountain pass was 3,600m and it was 2,400m in the town
Abra Patricia - 2340m
Tarapoto - 260m
Moyobamba - 912m

Feb. 1st
The hotel here, Puerto Mirador, gets my 'best breakfast' award this far into the trip.  Tea, coffee, cheese, meat avocado, tomatoes, FRESH buns, scrambled eggs, and 5 or so various fresh fruits and 3 kinds of fresh fruit juice and yogurt.
We went birding on Jose's property (he works at Abra Patricia and discovered the new orchid species) and climbed up and saw all kinds of great birds including Fiery-throated Fruiteater, and also saw lovely orchids.
We returned at lunch to the hotel and after lunch Ramiro found the Vermiculated Screech-Owl right behind the pool in a tree.  I love birding from the pool. . . .
I stayed at the pool for awhile and the had a rest and John was the only one who went off with Ramiro this afteroon.

Tomorrow we depart here right after breakfast for Abra Patricia for one more night.

So far, I think I get the award for most bug bites this trip and this morning I got stung by a caterpillar.  Hmmm, maybe my luck will change and they will stop biting me.
Also, Marie and I both have sore throats (thanks John) so started taking medicine right away so we hope to avoid getting as sick as John was.