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Four of the most exhilarating days of my life have been spent ticking off something that everyone should have on their “Things to do before I Die” List. The Mighty Amazon.
I was fortunate enough to take a cruise down the mighty Amazon River on the magnificent M/V Desafio, a 34 metre, 3 masted wooden sailing ship. Flying into Manaus, the main gateway city to the Amazon, and about a 6 hour flight from Rio de Janeiro, we drove to the Tropical Hotel, a gorgeous colonial property on the banks of the river where the boat docks.
I would recommend a night here, even if it’s just to wander along to the markets in Manaus and drink cocktails under a shady tree. We embarked onto the ship straight away, setting sail towards the Amazon’s main tributary, the Rio Negro. Our first afternoon was spent acquainting ourselves with the friendly crew, fellow passengers, thirst quenching caprianhas; and our guide Rueben whose knowledge of the Amazon, it’s people, flora and fauna was encyclopaedic.
The food onboard is amazing, and after dinner we headed into the night on canoes to spy for snakes, night birds and caiman – the smaller cousin of the crocodile. Rueben has the eyes of an eagle and seemed to be able to spot a snake high in a tree or the red eyes of a caiman shining in his torch in the darkness of the Amazon night.
The next morning we took a walk through the jungle and received a short lesson in bush survival. We were shown plants that could be used for sunblock, as a source of water and as a delightful scent to mask the smell of bodies too hot from trekking through the jungle in 35 degree heat.
That afternoon I caught my first ever fish – with only a bamboo pole and a chunk a red meat I managed to haul in a ferocious piranha; albeit screeching in fear and excitement the whole time while causing near injury to the others in my canoe by failing my rod and piranha possibly a little to close to them for comfort. I will proudly state that I then ate my piranha for dinner that night!
I arose especially early the next morning to watch the sunrise, and was lucky enough to see three river dolphins, one of which was pink! Later we visited a local village and were able to get an insight into the basic yet seemingly happy existence the Amazon people lead, with the river as their lifeblood – used for washing, bathing, cooking and of course as a source of food.
Throughout the trip we saw many caiman, toucans, various snakes, monkeys, pink and grey dolphins and flora and fauna too varied and amazing to chronicle here. On the last day sailing back towards Manaus we passed by the 4kms of the Meeting of the Waters, where the darker Rio Negro and brown Amazon meet but do not mix, a perfect finale to the sights and scenes of the Amazon.
I certainly came away wanting more, and feel very privileged to have been able to visit one of the worlds most beautiful and unique places - so I suggest to anyone that has the chance to visit this area to do so, and soon!
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