I woke up with the biggest smile on face…did last night really happen??? I was not sure if today was going to be as exciting as yesterday, although I was more than ready to see what the day would entail.
What path would my life be taking today? This was the view from my breakfast table.
Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living. ~ Miriam Beard
One of the things I loved most about the Amazon, was that one did not necessarily need to take any excursions. Just by simply being there was an adventure in itself! I can honestly say that in 1-days time, the Amazon had changed me. It is a spiritual experience that seeps into your pours and infects your soul. Immersing oneself in nature gives you a direct experience of the incredible intelligence of the Universe. You witness the seamless flow of all the elements and forces of life. Plus, it is a chance to be silent and in that silence is an opportunity for inner-discovery, something a lot of travelers eschew for the more instant pleasures during their journeys (I would know, as I am definitely one of them).
Ahhh, the Amazonian light!
After breakfast I boarded a boat that was to take me to various ports along the river, each promising something uniquely different. In total, we would spend about 10 hours sailing. Thank goodness I do not have a problem with sea-sickness.
Our ride for the day.
The changing scenery along the way was remarkable; it was almost like being in a moving museum!
A Manaus favela.
Downtown Manaus.
The bridge behind me is the only bridge to ever be built on the Amazon River.
Our first stop was at a village near the “Meeting of Waters.” This amazing natural phenomenon is due to the convergence of the dark Negro River and the silty Amazon River.
I was told there was a 10 degree temperature difference between the waters and of course I had see if that was true (it is)!
The river dolphins can be found in abundance around this area.
The village that we were touring was known for its large production of rubber. Because during the rainy season the river swells and floods the nearby villages, all of the homes had to built on stilts.
The village Church.
These huts were where the rubber was produced.
Of course learning about rubber production was fascinating, but my carefree spirit needed to do some exploring on my own.
Would it not be wonderful to be able to walk out your front door and see this guy in a tree?
The village's tribal mask.
These items were used by the women for various beauty rituals.
As I was wandering around, a rain shower began out of nowhere, so I had to run to one of the huts for protection. Is not the sound of rain even more beautiful when it is occurring in a rain forest?
The morning might have been on the more tranquil side, however the afternoon, well, if I had any doubts that this day would not be exciting they were definitely erased then…
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