Well the Alter bit was primarily a beach stop. A sandbar directly in front of the town forms a picturesque white-sand island.
It has a pop of approx 150,000 but where they were yesterday (Sun) who knows. Most we saw were in the water. It serves as a weekend retreat for the people of Santarem. This place we will visit on our way back out of the Amazon in a couple of days. It was very very very hot!!!! Luckily I put on sunscreen and my bathers and sarong so it wasn’t as bad as the ones with the long pants etc. Of course it had a Cathedral, nearly had enough of those!
Today we anchored at Boca, a village nestled on a 400’ hill overlooking the Amazon. Its an Indian village located between Parintins and Santarem. Is a small settlement of about 100 people!!!!! yes why did we stop here? who knows, but we tendered to shore and were greeted by the whole village. Lots of kids from babies to 12 year olds all wanting to touch your hands in the hope that maybe you’d put $1 in it for them. They live very simply and I mean simply, although they have big saucers in their yards! (satellite dish)
The locals glide their canoes thru the meetings of the waters (part negro and part yellow) which is quite amazing, and while we’re trying to get on the tenders, they’ve got wildlife etc they’re holding hoping you want to take a photo for $1.
It also has a church and a school but nothing much else. The houses on stilts are very poorly furnished. It was a great experience and not as hot as the days before.
This little boy is holding a sloth (like a monkey that people take a photo for $1 of course)
The Amazon is massive with not a lot of passing ships during our trip, although most of everything is bought in by ship. Its been an unusual day and one to be remembered.
We were fortunate enough to see a pod of pink dolphins, yes pink, a great experience, no photo as they were too quick. Check it out on google.
We were fortunate enough to see a pod of pink dolphins, yes pink, a great experience, no photo as they were too quick. Check it out on google.
Tomorrow we dock at Manaus for an overnight stay. More to come from the assistant blogger, yes I do do it from time to time and guess you all know when its me. Chow!
Hi you two, not sick of the boat yet? Despite the things you don't like, the rest must be terrific, what an experience. Had dinner with friends who want to cruise Feb 2013 from East to West of S.A. They were interested to hear you did a blog, even though you may be tired of the typing Gloria. We like your blog very much. L
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