Manaus Day 2

We were booked on the “River Cruise to the Meeting of the Waters” today.  We knew this tour would be a shortened version of the one we did last time we visited Manaus, which we absolutely loved the first time round.  We weren’t disappointed.  First the riverboat took us to the point where The Black River and the Amazon meet and run side by side.  

Once again it was all explained to us, that the black river was slower, more acidic and at a higher temperature than the Amazon and this was the reason the two didn’t mix and ran side by side for about 5 miles.  Our guide also explained that the reason the Black River is black and acidic is because of the amount of plant material that has fallen into it.  The Amazon flows from the Andes and is full of clay which explains its tea like colour.

We were then taken to the floating restaurant on Lake January where we climbed into smaller 10 man canoes, and were taken around the tributaries running into the lake.  Wonderful.   

The water was around 2-4 metres deep we were told.  And growing through it and up beyond the surface was the local wild rice. We were shown the lily pads, which sadly are not in flower at this time of year, and then the  driver of our little boat took us into a little inlet right into the edge of the jungle proper.  Every one fell silent listening to the sounds.  A wonderful experience.

We managed to many different birds including loads of Great Egrets, the local moorhen type bird, and an eagle or two.  How cool is that? 

From there we returned to our river boat and then back to the ship.  Like last year, we passed the industrial part of Manuas, the ship building yards, the power plant, cargo docks and the wonderful floating petrol stations.  Once again a thoroughly wonderful trip. 

For anyone visiting Manaus on a cruise, on paper, the shorter tour seems as good as the longer one, (the *Amazonian Experience”), less a local meal.  Our half day tour was excellent, but given the choice again, I would definitely opt for the all day excursion. It was better than excellent.

After that , it was back to the ship for a bit of lunch and then we went for another wander out into the city.  Yesterday, during our visit to the Opera House, the young tour guide had found us a load of little information sheets of places to visit, and we decided to try a couple of art galleries and the Justice Palace, which are all very near to St Sebastion Square and the Opera House.

Manaus is an incredible place..  Just outside the terminal building, and in our path on the way to the St Sebastion Square, is the most lively and colourful market ever.  The place is absolutely teeming with people.  The stalls cover the market area and run up and down the streets.  There are hundreds of them, and they seem to go off in all directions.  The shops are full of clothes and shoes, the stalls full of lingerie, kids books, toys and mobile phones.  Amazing!

We walked through this colourful, bustling, occasionally smelly, but fascinating place heading first for the Justice Palace.  We weren’t very sure as to whether or not we wanter to go inside, but as we approached, the sky went black, the stall holders pulled plastic sheets over their stands and big heavy raindrops started to fall.  Decision made then.

We stepped inside, unsure of costs, our right to be there, and whether or not we wanted to be. Then we gasped.  This place is stunning!.  The receptionist signalled us to come in, told it was free, and then indicated that we should go have a look round downstairs.  There was a photographic art exhibition on, which was interesting.  But for me, the building was even more interesting.   We investigated all the rooms filled with pictures and a few few bronze sculptures then headed for the fantastic staircase leading from reception, but were stopped, being told to wait a couple of minutes and then someone would escort.

Someone was a delightful young Brazilian girl whose English was not brilliant, but was certainly better than our Portuguese.  Full of smiles and enthusiasm, she showed us around the stunning rooms upstairs, explaining them as best she could.  It turned out we were actually in a court house, which had been used for trials up until 2006.  All the rooms, including the actual court room and the Judge’s chambers were stunning.  

Apparently the same architect that designed the Opera House also designed the Palace of Justice.  And it showed.   Somewhere else I recommend to everyone visiting Manaus.  (If only to get out of the rain).

Sadly, we couldn’t get into the art galleries after that as they were closed.  So we made our way back through the hustle, bustle, sights and sounds of the market to the ship. 

I think we are both really getting to like Manaus.  You have to be careful, people do get jewellery, cameras and valuables stolen, but the city is absolutely alive, and we have been very lucky this visit to see the sights we have.  We felt that we landed on our feet whichever way we turned.  And so ends another fantastic day with so many new experiences.  Wonderful.

Tomorrow is Boca Do Valeria.  We loved it here last year, and I am so looking forward to seeing it all again.

Manaus visit day 1 2011       Manaus visit day 2 2011     Manaus visit day 1 2012