Brazil - Rio to Manaus
The next two weeks of traveling in Brazil starts with Rio de Janeiro, the largest and most famous city. After an orientation walk near our hotel which is right across the road from the Copacabana beach, we have our first taste of Brazilian cuisine. Brazil, while famous for meat, the fish selections are outstanding. Our next day takes us to the famous pictorial icon, 'Christ the Redeemer’ set on the highest point of land in Rio and giving a panorama of the city. In the evening we are treated to a walk on Ipanema Beach and then a light meal in a local bar. We are off in the morning for the flight north to Salvador.
Salvador: A city of many contrasts - cultural, economical and religious. Here in the region of Bahia, the cross pollination of Christianity and African beliefs are intermingled into that of Candomblé with their deities of Arixàs (pronounced Orishas). The colors, the drum beating and dancing stirs the emotions of even the non-believers and a Bahia Folklore show brought all in attendance to their feet, feeling the vibrations and emotions of the performers.
We toured the Upper and Lower city of Salvador visiting the local markets, buying items for our tour guide to honor his Orixà, then watched a performance by children of the Grand Circle Foundation (our trip provider) “Arte Consciente”.
Aa we end our stay in Salvador, we pack for an early morning flight to Manaus and the beginning of our Amazon experience.
Manaus
Salvador to Brasilia (where we change planes) to Manaus. As we leave the airport we are struck by a wall of heat and humidity Welcome to the Amazon Basin, encompassing 40% of South America, and through the Amazon River and its’ tributaries, supplying 20% of Earth’s fresh water.
After a city tour of Manaus, we visited the local Mercado, the fruit and vegetable market and the fish market. The vendors were smiling and courteous and enjoyed not only conversing with us , but posing for pictures.
After a city tour of Manaus, we visited the local Mercado, the fruit and vegetable market and the fish market. The vendors were smiling and courteous and enjoyed not only conversing with us , but posing for pictures.
After touring the famous Manaus Opera House and learning of its’ history, we then proceeded to board our floating home, the “Otter” which will take us on our Amazon journey.