| May 18, 2006 - Manaus
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 | | show all 10 | | How big is the river. The have petrol stations. | | River Buses | | Welcome to Manaus | | |
| Well we arrived in Manaus yesterday afternoon and had an interesting bus trip from the airport to the city. A local helped us which was really great. We wandered around the markets then went to our room and passed out _ Trent was tired from all his bartering!
Today was a day that I won't easily forget. We began our cruise of the Amazon river at the docks of Manaus on the Rio de Negro (Black River - which incidentally IS black). The docks of the river have many boats which are like the Amazons bus and train system. There are huge tankers and you have to remind yourself that you are on a river and not at a sea port. It is hard to see the other side of the river as it is so wide - it ranges from 9km to 25km wide and is around 90m deep but is 250m in the deepest part. There are petrol stations floating on the river and near the fishing boats I was lucky enough to spot a pink dolphin - Trent missed it unfortunately. An hour later we were at the meeting of the waters. This is where the Rio de Negro and Rio Solimoes come together to form the Amazon and run side by side because of the differnet speeds at which they flow and the temperatures. They run side by side for about 16km before they mix.
We travelled down the far side of the Black Riverwhere we see the Amazon Rainforest, which, because of the wet season seems to be 'floating'on the river. There are small vilages and houses that are 'floating'- bars, churches etc. We dock at a loating restaurant and make our way down a dogy floating walkway through the jungle to find giant lillie pads.
Then we begin our canoe trip through the Parque Ecologico january ( very Indiana Jones!)
After meandering through the jungle to come across a floating house occupied by some native Amazonians who have a souveneir shop and some intersting pets. 2 macaus and a not so small Aligator!
We enjoy an Amazonian buffet liunch back at the flçoating restaurant where we are entertained by a manatee (like a Dugong or sea cow) feeding in the water nearby.
It was an awesome day! |
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