The waters of the Amazon begin with
many rivers throughout South America, stretching as far south-west
as the Bolivian jungle and as far north-west as Columbia. If one
has music at home that forces one to understand the depth of things, now
is the time to play that music and think of this jungle: Species
of plants that have not yet been discovered, insects that don't have names,
curative medicines from trees that are not yet scientifically explained,
never before seen amphibians and fish....
Small hallowed
out jungle trees make river worthy vessels that transport habitants throughout
the Amazon river and its many tributaries sitting only a few inches off
the water especially when transporting goods..
Stopped
at a small village on the river one can see how much the river fluctuated
between summer and winter, by the color of the support beams on the extended
houses.
This sunset was a common view every
evening around 6 P.M. In silhouette one can see the immense thickness
that surrounds us. The Amazon jungle is infinite.
Uncommon insects fill the air on the
Amazon river. This Mantis makes its greeting on our slow boat in
route to Manaus, Brazil.
Near to Manaus, the river Negro merges
together with the Amazon, which formed a distinct and separate line between
the two.
It became apparent why our skin was
scorched within minutes after we looked at a map and determined the Amazon
river had a direct heat less than three degrees from the equator; and
when the sun finally fell into night it was a good feeling.
Feature written
and photographed by Phillips who spent many hours on the Amazon River.
Information about hollowed boats was supplied by the Native Cocama Indians
of Iquitos, Peru, as well as equatorial positioning and medicinal plants.
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NOTES AND DIRECTIONS:
Boats (both Speed and
Slow), travel from Iquitos to Santa Rosa, Peru at least twice a
week. Once arriving to Santa Rosa, you are within minutes
of borders into Laticia, Columbia and Tabitinga, Brazil. These
towns are very quaint and good for a short stay while you await
your next boat trip from Tabitinga, Brazil to Manaus, Brazil.
Expect to pay between $60 and $100 US Dollars for your total trip.
Prices are negotiable and boat vendors expect negotiation.
If you take a slow boat to Manaus, Brazil it will take between six
and eight days. All boats include three meals a day.
To find a boat along this route of passage, simply go to the boat
dock and look for the boat. It is very simple and hassle free
to find. Take care at these ports, people are their specifically
to steal and scam, this is the way they survive.
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