Special MANAUS in the AMAZONIA

Nov 18

WEDN, NOV 12 – DAY 34 – SAO PAULO TO MANAUS, BRAZIL

We took an early uber and flew to Manaus. We decided to get burgers from a local restaurant and push our 3 beds together and watch a show together tonight. It was a great slumber party.

THURS NOV 13 – DAY 35 – MANAUS AMAZONIA, BRAZIL

We were picked up at 9am for our 2 day Amazon tour. We were in a large bus to a river boat – taken to our little cabins on the Amazon. We relaxed in the hammocks, had a delicious lunch of fish and chicken cooked over the fire, and everyone broke into their groups based on what we had purchased.

Our first activity was piranha fishing and alligator hunting. This evening was one we will never forget. We all caught piranhas. We each repeatedly put raw chicken skin on to our hooks. Lohan, our guide said that our group caught more fish than any he had seen. We released all the fish we caught.

When it started to get dark, Lohan started alligator hunting. He ultimately caught 2, with his bare hands and bare feet, he would pull up to a shoreline, catch it and bring it to us. It was not for believing. We each held the alligator, took a few pics and released him back into the water. We came back well after it was dark, saw a massive alligator in the water on our way back.

Had a beautiful dinner with all our Amazon friends and called it a night. Slept in our own little Amazon cabin.

FRI NOV 14 – DAY 36 – MANAUS, AMAZONIA, BRAZIL

Breakfast was served at 7:30am. Today we purchased a jungle tour and a tribe visit. The Amazon jungle tour was incredible – just wow! Western medicine is so opposite of what we saw in this jungle. We were shown countless trees and plants that are used for every ailment and every disease. It was fascinating and we totally loved it. Our guide, Wesley was excellent!

The tribe visit was interesting to see some of the traditions they are trying to keep alive. We tasted fruits we have never tried. We ate crispy ants!

After a very long jungle and tribe morning, we came back for another delicious lunch. Packed up, and ended up getting a boat and car ride from our new friend Daniel. We hit it off with Daniel.

We came back to our hotel, walked to the laundromat, put in a load – checked out the downtown square, had dinner at the same burger place it was so good – took our laundry home and went home to organize all of us. This was our last night all together.

There was so much to do in terms of organizing everyone. We sent home as much as we could for heavy things with Jorg to lighten our loads. Needed to prep Jado for his week alone. Wash our hair, clothes, etc.. we managed to get through a few hours of organizing all together. Tried to get a bit of sleep.

RECAP OF MANAUS, BRAZIL

Manaus is the largest city in the Amazon region, famous for the waters of Rio Negro sandy colored Solimoes meet for 3 miles long but do not mix.

Manaus was the richest city in Latin America in the late 1800’s due to their rubber plants, selling to make rubber around the world. Until they started to grow rubber plants in Africa to sell to Europe since it was much closer, it robbed Manaus of this industry.

Manaus has approx. 2.2M residents, the official language is Portuguese though there are local tribe languages spoken as well. This city is still a major port and still exports things such as brewing, electronics manufacturing, petroleum refining, and products from the Amazon forest such as brazil nuts.

It is a very different feeling walking around Manaus. The energy feels rich, yet everywhere you look the city is filled with favelas. Garbage lines every street, it is a real problem.

There was something about this city that we just loved. In 1970, when they lost much of their business – the city has gone downhill. It is still a rich city, but so much poverty at the same time. I really felt for the people here. I suppose I could relate, they should be the richest place in Latin America still with the Amazon there, yet so much has been mishandled. So much like Canada, should be the richest country in the world, yet we have so many issues. Frustrating.

Jado and I left for the airport at 12:15am so I never fell asleep at all, Jado flew to Argentina, Buenos Aires and he will do Iguazu… I flew to Bogota, Colombia and Jorg was going to fly home today. Daniel asked to show her around Manaus before she has to leave. She had a great last day with him. I met Juliano (JB), a business guy – city councillor for Manaus heading to New York to work on city planning / finance options. So interesting the people you meet when traveling.

The 2 locals we met were very interesting people… Daniel and JB. Turns out Daniel owns the tour company we were with in the Amazon. JB too making many changes for the city of Manaus.

I felt good about this city for many reasons. People, food, beauty, energy.. I rate Manaus 8.5/10.

I could not live here, 1- the constant heat and humidity and 2- the lack of efficiency in business I have never seen before.. every simple transaction takes 30 minutes.. and boarding our aircraft was hours.. the blood of someone like myself boiling with so many inefficiencies.. , but otherwise – pretty cool city!

Pics taking the bus and the boat into the AMAZON JUNGLE!!

one pic of a family sleepover :) watching a show

a lot of pics at our jungle resort, we had our own little cabin

prianha fishing and alligator catching

a few hours of a hike into the amazon jungle for an education on plants. the jungle is the medicine for the people and it made me question ever taking any chemical medicine again, it was incredible to learn firsthand from a local what every tree and every leaf and flower and plant does .. the many health benefits and cures in that jungle is incredible!

we visited a tribe and saw many dance rituals, these people are trying to keep their culture alive

we tried their fruits and ate their ants!!

Daniel took Jorg all over as a tour guide the next day after Jado and I had left Manaus

Dinner in the square and burgers again since they were a win

Meeting Juliano in the airport on his way to NYC to make big changes for Manaus, very cool story

Jado heading to Buenos Aires, Argentina - I am heading to Bogota, Colombia