16 Apr 2024
We recently spent two days (an overnight on board cruise ship) in Manaus, the furthest western most port on our Amazon River cruise.
Day 1 we booked ourselves a "doBrazilRight" 7 hours 5 agenda boat tour that took us 30-35 miles further west than cruise ships can travel. The guide was terrific throughout the day. Here's what we did: we went to two places and were taught why the "Meeting of the Waters" do not mix. We went to a floating Restaurant Selva Anazõnica on Lago do January (beverage and buffet line lunch included in the price) [souvenirs here quite expensive]. We then walked a raised wooden walkway through the jungle to view the Victoria Amazonica Water Lilies. (Truth be told, there were but 50+- lilies most of which were 4-6' diameter. We then went to Boto Jacaré Ubal Turismo for up close and / or hands on with 3, maybe 4 Pink Dolphins. They come freely from the open water when the tour boat ties up and folks get in the water. After that we went to the opposite shore to visit an Indigenous tribe of about 100 who welcomed us in their huge chickee building with music and dance.
Day 2 we took a Holland American Cruise bus tour of the Mercantile building...here you have a WIDE selection of souvenirs. We then took a city bus tour which included a lengthy visit into the Teatro Amazonia, the 19th century Opera House built by the rubber barons. We were very lucky that during our visit the philharmonic orchestra (strings only) were in full rehearsal mode.