The Mighty Amazon River

There really aren’t enough superlatives to describe this phenonomen, (sorry not sure the spelling is correct) the “mighty amazon”! How fortunate are we to be able to sail on this amazing river. Our guide yesterday said that there are only about 12 cruise ships a year sail 1000 miles up the river to the City of Manaus so that is really something considering there are currently 48 cruise ships off Brazil. Here is a major place in Brazil with a population of 2 mill. that will host 4 matches in the World Cup of soccer to be held in 2014 in Brazil.

It is supposed to be a pristine part of the world, this rain forested jungle, yet it has to be the dirtiest river or sea we have been on. Over 850 river boats, 20,000 taxi’s and today we saw all this food or junks of it being thrown into the river (even saw a TV passing by). If we dare throw a piece of paper or anything at all it is immediate expulsion, no beg pardons, you’re off.

From the tiny villages to this large City dotted along the River, there is always something going on. 

Yesterday we did an excursion called the Meeting of the River’s. It is where the Rio Negro River meets the Rio Solimoes and creates two definite colours. So we were in this ferry boat that went down the river for an hour to the place where the two rivers meet to see this and were quite surprised to find it was not as good a spectacle as we saw at Boca de Valeria the day before. 

What was exciting was this massive black cloud looming over the top of us as we were about to board these narrow boats holding about 10 people to cruise into to the jungle and the rain forest.

There were about 6 boats that set off and no sooner had we entered into the jungle when we  were met with horrendous thunder and lightning and the biggest storm we’ve ever seen with pelting rain. As you may imagine even though the little boat had a top on it we were all soaking wet, but what an experience. Beautiful birds, low canopies of bush, we even came across some fishermen netting large catfish and this little boat crashing into logs, we came across some large lillie‘s at least 2 meters in diameter and the guide picked some up to reveal these large thorns underneath WOW! 

We then had to get back to our ferry boat and another hour later got back to the ship and had to weather another almighty storm as we re boarded. 

Woops, What's that!

Today, as we had stayed overnight, we did an excursion of the City of Manaus, dirty bloody place, went to the Zoo and saw some animals not seen before, then onto the famous Opera House, Circa 1896 a truly beautiful theartre and were fortunate to witness an orchestra, (maybe 50 people) practising, that made it a remarkable highlight. 

We then went to an Indian Museum which was okay, really not our scene and then back to the ship for lunch.

We witnessed again a number of pink dolphins around the port, we have seen several, but not yet been able to get a photo, (please check it out on Google) to get some idea of the beauty of these fish). Well I’ve prattled on for long enough, please forgive, but this is something else!!!!!!!!!