Manaus, Brazil - Day 1

Located 1,000 miles upriver from the Atlantic, Manaus with a population of more than 2 million, is the most populous city in the Amazon basin.  The city's growth resulted from its natural rubber production between 1900 and 1940.  During that era all rubber was produced from the sap of "rubber" trees native to the region.  Today, rubber is synthetically made from petroleum. 

As we approached Manaus, the Rio Negro bridge came into view.  More than 2-miles long, it is the only bridge between here and the Atlantic Ocean 1,000 miles to the east.  Manaus is located on the Rio Negro just upriver from the point where it joins the Amazon.  Completed in 2011, the bridge connects Manaus to the small town of Iranduba (pop. 42,000).  With no connecting roads to either of  the two cities, it is either a political boondoggle or will open up the Amazon basin to rapid growth further endangering the rainforest.

During the afternoon, Gene joined a tour that cruised up the Rio Negro for a jungle trek to learn survival skills in the rainforest.  With this being the Amazon's dry season, the river level is down 24 feet so what appears to be a sandy beach above is really the bottom of the river 6-months of the year.  

After meeting our local guide, we headed into the rainforest.  Within a few minutes the hot temperature and high humidity had our clothes soaked from perspiration.  We gained a new respect for anyone who lives in this environment. 

Along the way, our guide (his mother was English and his father Indigenous Indian) demonstrated plants needed for survival.  This "saw grass" produces natural DEET for use as an insect repellent.  Other natural remedies were pointed out for headaches, constipation, infection and even abortion.

Then we learned how to build an animal snare and make a poison dart "gun".  

Returning back to our ship we passed under the Rio Negro Bridge. standing an amazing 550 feet high.

Dissipating clouds from the afternoon's thunderstorms created a beautiful sunset.

A couple of hours later the moon was out and we return to the river in small 10-person boats.  We cruised along the dense-jungle backwaters in search of caimans, a close relative of the crocodile.  Though they can grow to 15 feet in length, we were looking for something much smaller.  Our guide used his flashlight to spot their eyes peaking above the water.  Then he fluttered the light to "hypnotize" them so the boat could approach close enough for him to reach out and grab them.

Then we each had an opportunity to hold the critter for a photo op.  After his close encounter with humanity, he was returned to the backwaters of the Rio Negro.  

It was past midnight before our adrenaline wore off  and our painfully slow boat returned us to the Viking Sun.