The Amazonian Region

Brazil covers about 50% of South America and the Amazon Rain Forest covers about 40% of Brazil.  The Amazon River runs through the center of the Amazon Rain Forest and forms the Amazon River Basin.  The river is 4,195 miles long and the width varies from 1 to 35 miles.  It has an outflow of 46,000 gallons per second at the mouth.  Ok, enough geography.  We are here during the rainy season and high water flow.  An interesting phenomena is that the river outflow is so strong that it colors the ocean up to 200 miles out.   The river picks up sediment and all types of debris as it flows and is colored brown.

This is the ocean around the ship about 50 miles out of the river mouth.  It is brown from river outflow.

Our first stop on the Amazon was Santarem on February 28^th.  Santarem is a key trading center due to it’s location at the juncture of two rivers, the Amazon and the Rio Tapajos.  This meeting causes the natural phenomenon known as the Meeting of the Waters.  The rivers flow side by side for several miles due to different flow rates and chemical composition.  The brown is the Amazon, the aquamarine the Tapajos.

From the town observation tower.

Panorama of the town.

The Captain docked the ship from this control panel on the Port bridge wing; pushing buttons and levers.  Very techno but not as romantic as calling out commands to the engine telegraph operator and helmsman.  The man on the right is an Amazon river pilot.  We had two pilots on board taking fiver hour shifts for the three days it took us to get to Manaus.

Noreen Geography – locations of the primary gemstone mines in Brazil.

Some shots around town.

These white motorcycles are actually taxis.  They carry a helmet on the back for passengers.

Steps to the observation tower.

Observation tower.

Even in the Amazon ladies shoes rule!

I wonder when I see someone rowing….where are they going?

Our next stop was the small village of Boca da Valeria.  The village has around 25 permanent residents but grows to over 100 when a ship comes in.  They come from neighboring villages to sell their wears.  We came by this same village about 11 years ago on our first Amazon River cruise.  We think it is maintained pretty much as a tourist attraction.  First view of the village.

The school.

We don’t think there were satellite dishes last time we were here.

You can pose with the various locals for a dollar.

I tried for a picture with the snake but the handler didn’t want to wrap it around me so I am holding it on my back.

Note the electric junction box on the right.  We found that electricity had extended deep into the Amazon as we traveled further into the interior.

Shower and facilities.

Town bar.

and color coordinated restrooms.

Community meeting hall.

Look closely at the center of the sloth’s back and you’ll see a baby.  This picture cost me a dollar.  The kids go out with animals and other things to get a dollar from you.

Parents waiting for the kids to bring their dollars back.

Of course, we couldn’t leave without a little bargaining and remembrances.

Hope you enjoyed this journey so far.  Next stop Manaus.  Let us hear from you.