We were camped in a narrow corridor of black cliffs that actually felt like a box, but it hardly felt claustrophobic. A whisper of breeze carried the rich, muddy scent of the river. Wispy clouds turned orange over a narrow slice of sky as daylight slowly filled the atmosphere. A cacophony of birdsong emanated from a curtain of greenery behind camp, building in intensity along with the coming light. It all felt very tropical.