Down the Amazon on Viking Sea

March 16 - Viking Sea departed Manaus in the late afternoon headed down he Amazon for Parintins, a small city on an island in the Amazon. We anchored off  the next morning and used the tender to go ashore. No roads lead to the island; the only way in or out is by boat or plane. 

Nevertheless, tens of thousands of visitors flock to the island to attend the Parintins Folk Festival, held annually in June.  It is called BUMBA.  We were treated to a highly energetic mini version of the festival.  It was St. Patrick's Day and we posed in our green shirts.

After the show, we walked a few blocks up to the church only to find it locked. 

March 18 - Santarem 

Santarem

Soybeans

Santarem lies at the confluence of the muddy Amazon and the black water of the Rio Tapajos. Richard elected a hike in the rain forest and Joanne decided to go Piranha fishing. Her fellow boat passengers caught small piranha (see its teeth in the picture below), some large catfish and crabs. Following her fishing expedition, she was able to enjoy the free tour of the city and ecological park.

We toured an ecological area and sampled many native fruits and Brazil nuts. 

We were able to tour this historic Catholic church.

Only Bird I Saw - From the Bus Window

Soy Fields Replace the Rain Forest

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Rubber Tree (Left)  and Brazil Nuts (Right)

Dense Forest Line the Amazon Mile after Mile

Cooking Class on the Viking Sea

Not Far from the Mouth of the Amazon

First Bird We Have Seen on the River