Santarém, Brazil

Day 54

Santarém, Brazil

Amazonia

During the morning we proceeded upriver and are now running against the current. The river has narrowed a bit and we could pass by low areas of shore, covered with reeds and an occasional hut built on stilts. At 0845 the sky clouded over and the temperature continued to rise, getting to about 88. We have crossed the equator again, now in Southern latitudes. Around noon we came into sight of the city of Santarém on our port side, passed the city and made for the pier Docas do Pará on the west side. At 1255 we were secure. However, the port official who was to clear the ship was nowhere to be found. We waited and finally he was located and dispatched to the ship. At 1345 we were able to leave the ship. There is nothing close to the ship so anyone wishing to sight-see or shop would have to walk to town or take a shuttle. A few vendors set up their tents in the parking lot to sell souvenirs.

Our adventure of the day was to explore some rain forest and we were prepared. Long pants and shirts, hats, plenty of insect repellent liberally applied, water bottles, cameras, good walking boots, first aid kit and a good guide. Our group was small, only 17. Our transportation was a city bus with no AC but the windows would open. This we took for a hour ride south of town with stops to look at a road sign and an old abandoned bulldozer. Our guide filled us in on the farming we were passing and the plight of the Brazil nut tree.

 We reached the Tapagos National Park safely and picked up a local park guide, complete with machete and chainsaw. 15 minutes more of driving into the forest then got out and met the call of nature. Men behind an abandoned house, women behind a fallen tree. Our nature walk commenced and for the next hour and a half we walked single file through the forest and were introduced to many kinds of trees, plants, insects, bird calls and other exotics. We met the tree that produces drinking water and tried some. We met the telegraph tree and sounded the drums. The fire tree that produces a flammable liquid that is perfect for starting a fire. And there was the palm tree with long dangerous spines. Then there were the mango trees and the Brazil nuts.The temperature and humidity were high but the canopy provided shade and the trek was rewarding.

rubber tree

drinking tree

rainforest scene

insect tower

 

 

 

 

 

typical housing

There was another long bus ride back to the port and we were back aboard at 1845. We sailed at 1950.

Noon position: 02° 27.61'S and 054°35.81'W. Distance covered 14,181nm, noon to noon run 367nm. Sunrise 0646. Sunset 1856. Air 86, water 82. Humidity 72%.