Manaus
Day 1:
We began our first day Brazil by eating from a traditional Brazilian buffet. Some common Brazilian food found buffet were ham lasagna, tambaqui, and staples such as farofa, rice,beans, chicken,steak and watermelon. As my first meal sample local cruise. Most of the food was very good and I pleased by high protein content of the Brazilian diet.
We began our first day Brazil by eating from a traditional Brazilian buffet. Some common Brazilian food found buffet were ham lasagna, tambaqui, and staples such as farofa, rice,beans, chicken,steak and watermelon. As my first meal sample local cruise. Most of the food was very good and I pleased by high protein content of the Brazilian diet.
After brunch we explored Manaus's historic downtown and famous Amazon Theater Opera house. Unfortunately our tour guide spoke little English lucky we accompanied a former Manaus resident Thaisa.
The Opera house. The city began to develop rapidly on back drop of a boom in rubber production from the near by Amazon rain forest. In order to display it wealth city built a decadent Opera house. To the Opera house services as symbol of the city and Brazil has roof is planted with cermatic titles designed to resemble the Brazilian flag. Today the Amazonian Opera House is still in operation holding week performances. |
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Day Two: River Nigro & Amazon River boat tour
Meeting of the Waters:
After embarking on the boat first point of first of was what is know in Brazil as the meeting of the Water or the point where the Amazon River meets river Negro. At this point the rivers do not mix and be seem as independent rivers. The river Negro is a dark shade of black while the Amazon river is more slightly shade of brown. A map of the two rivers and picture of the meeting of the river can seen in the picture below. |
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Samausma tree: After the meeting of the rivers we were taken to small island on lake Vitoria Regia where saw small lake with massive water lily. Though the real attraction was the massive Samaúma tree. I estimate the tree had a base greater than 50 meters as all 13 members of our group holding hands around the tree covered less than half of the base. Finally we taken to small gift shop specializing in indigenous related art work before turning the boat.
New Friends on the Boat: Next leg of our tour involved roughly one boat trip to small make shift indigenous village during this time was able to interact with the other Brazilian tourist on the Boat. Unfortunately we appeared be the only none Brazilians on the boat that day and many people on the boat only Portuguese however, I did meet one student from international school in the Sao Paulo named Mathues. Like most Brazilians I met was warm friendly and excited meet people from other countries. He had fairly length conversation in English discussing various aspect our lives. He gave a traditional Brazilian brace let to remember him and Brazil.
Petting Exotic Animals:
During our trip to model indigenous village serial animal keeps come to our boat presenting with an anaconda and a sloth to hold and pet. We had hold the anaconda by it nick to prevent it biting. While, the sloth was harmless and cute. Pictures of myself and others holding the anaconda and the sloth can seen below. |
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Impact on the Animals:
It was noted by several member of our group that interactions with endangered species in the manner displayed above is illegal due to concerns over possible negative health impact on the animals. In additionally some people feel it wrong or immoral keep these animals in captivity. Personally I did feel little awkward holding these captive and endangered animals. However, I also realize that this form tourism provides alternative income would be porches ultimately serves to protect these animals changing the incentive system. Where as before a poacher had economic incentive to kill as many of species possible they now incentive to keep them alive. Additionally the number of animals harmed is decreased as poacher can charge tour company multiple times using the same animal where as dead animal can only be sold once.
It was noted by several member of our group that interactions with endangered species in the manner displayed above is illegal due to concerns over possible negative health impact on the animals. In additionally some people feel it wrong or immoral keep these animals in captivity. Personally I did feel little awkward holding these captive and endangered animals. However, I also realize that this form tourism provides alternative income would be porches ultimately serves to protect these animals changing the incentive system. Where as before a poacher had economic incentive to kill as many of species possible they now incentive to keep them alive. Additionally the number of animals harmed is decreased as poacher can charge tour company multiple times using the same animal where as dead animal can only be sold once.
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Indigenous Village:
Our next stop was Tatuyo indigenous community member of several different tribes live together and preform ceremonial dances for tourist earning income for the tribe. The Highlight of the show comes at the end when visitors are invited to dance with the native people. The videos below display portions of ceremony. The experience was very exciting and very strange at the same time. I wondered if our presence was distorting their culture. Are we putting them on display like some kind exhibit in a human zoo? Or whether demise their cultural putting display preforming ceremonial dancing regular basis. As show went on I realized how many aspect of their traditional life had preserved. For example many villages did not speak Portuguese just their indigenous language. I also learned how these tribe help to preserve rain forest by providing local people with alternative income. |