AMAZON RAINFOREST Raising Awareness
“In the Amazonia, reality is more amazing than mithology”... Linda Hunt, 1997
Location The Amazon Forest Tales, myths and real facts about the Amazon Jungle have been attracting legions of explores and adventures from all over the world for hundreds of years. Since the early 1500’s when the first Europeans arrived in South America, the tale about the golden city “El Dorado” drew many explores to their death, even today explores and historians are still trying to prove, if the city once existed or not. In addition, the Amazon Jungle is full of myths and folkloric figures, such as the “Curupira” in Brazil and “El Tunchi” in Peru, both protectors of the trees, the animals and of the forest. Myths and tales a side, the Amazon Forest is a place where unique environmental conditions favor to the extraordinary development of life. Just saying that the Amazon Rainforest is the largest forest in the planet does not express enough how big and important it is for the survival of all species and of the planet. The Amazon embraces nine South American countries: Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador, Guyana, French Guiana and Suriname; it covers an area of 2.3 million square miles, what is equivalent to 13 times the area of the state of California. More than 20% of the Earth’s oxygen is produced in this area, giving it the nick name “Lungs of the Planet”. One half of the millions of species of plants, animals and insects in the planet live in the Amazonia, and it is estimated that only 10% of the medicinal plants used by the Amazon natives have been studied. The U.S. National Cancer Institute has identified about 3000 plants that are anticancer, and 70% of them grow in the Amazon Rain Forest. There is no doubt that Amazon is the Earth’s greatest biosystem and it must be preserved. The diversity and uniqueness of the Amazon are fascinating, and that is what I look foward to experience.
Amazonia
“If the Amazonia were a country, it would be the ninth largest in the world”
The Journey The objective of my journey is to explore all the diversity and uniqueness that only Amazon has to offer. I would like to take a close look at how the life of the “ribeirinhos” is – non-native people who live along the river, and with that have the experience of being unplugged from all the technology which we are so dependent these days. In addition, I want to see the natural phenomena, the animals, the plants, and also taste fruits and foods that I would never be able see and taste unless I go to Amazon. Then comes the question, where in the Amazon should I go to? To begin with, I have to choose between 9 countries. In order to answer that question, I made some research to identify some of the unique attractions in the Amazon that I would like to see, therefore I would be able to narrow down my choices. Here are the top 5 items of my list:
1. Experience a jungle’s lodge: there are a few options of jungle lodges that provide the visitor a close look at the jungle.
2. Meeting of Waters (Portuguese: “Encontro das Aguas” ) is a natural phenomenon that happens in the confluence of the Rio Negro, which is a river with dark almost black colored water, and the sandy-colored Rio Solimões. For almost 4 miles the river’s waters run side by side without mixing, this phenomenon occurs due to the different temperatures, densities and rivers’ flows.
3. Amazon River dolphin (Portuguese: Boto cor-de-rosa) is a pink dolphin that lives in the fresh waters of the Amazon Rainforest rivers.
4. Giant Lily Pads – These are the largest flowers on the planet, even though now it is possible to find lily pads in many places out of the Amazon, the type that grown in the jungle can be up to 8 feet in diameter and hold the weight of a few people.
5. Visit the Ilha de Marajo (Marajo Island) – The Marajo Island is the largest island to be completely surrounded by freshwater in the world; its area is comparable to Switzerland. Although its northeast coastline faces the Atlantic Ocean, the outflow from the Amazon River is so great that it pulls the ocean’s water 130 miles away from the shore. The island was the home of a ancient indian culture know as Marajoara who produced some of the most unusual and elegant ceramics ever crafted in the New World. In addition, Marajo Island is also know for the large population of water buffalos, and the island is considered a perfect place to witness one of the world’s most fascinating natural phenomena the Amazon Pororoca.
With that list in mind, I decided that the best place where I could visit all these attractions would be in Brazil, more precisely in the states of Amazonas and Para; therefore, this is my proposed itinerary:
City of Manaus The journey will start in the city of Manaus, the capital of the state of Amazonas. Manaus is situated at the confluence of the Negro and Solimões rivers. It is the most populated city of Amazonas State and is a popular ecotourist destination. From Manaus I will relocate to one of the jungle lodges for five nights.
Juma Jungle Lodge Day 1 The trip from Manus to the lodge takes three hours via speed boat. During the trip it may be possible to encounter some pink dolphins along the way and we will stop to see the amazing Meeting of the Waters, and have the first contact with the jungle and observe the giant water lilys. The afternoon activity is a reconnaissance tour through the igarapĂŠs (Amazonian creeks) and the igapĂłs (flooded forest) in motorized canoes. At night, travel on a canoe ride to observe the night fauna and observe alligators, frogs and birds. Stay alert to the mysterious sounds of the forest and the starry sky.
Day 2 Take part for a jungle hike. Once inside the Amazon Forest feel its charm and greatness. In the afternoon we will go out fishing and learn more about the regional species of the Amazon (piranha, peacock bass). While enjoying the sunset, return to the lodge. Dinner will be complemented by the fish we caught earlier, cooked the Amazon way.
Day 3 Early in the morning we will leave for a sunrise excursion, witnessing the transformation of the dark water of the Juma River into a mirror and listening to the sights and sounds of the waking birds. Visit a home a local native to learn more about their fascinating culture. Travel on a paddle canoe, just like the locals, while enjoying the dense vegetation, the height and width of the trees, the bird’s and monkey’s sounds.
Day 4 A full day adventure into the forest with short hikes and instruction in jungle survival. Learn more about the forest, such as how its helps mankind by supplying medicinal plants, food, fresh water and even assorted products made of straw. In a pleasant site, eat and rest in hammocks, as is the local Indian custom. Overnight in the jungle.
Day 5 During a rike see the SumaĂşma, the biggest tree in the Amazon Rainforest. This tree can reach up to 130 feet. Barbecue lunch and return to the lodge. During the way back, we might encounter some pink dolphins, swim in the river and see a beautiful sunset. Day 6 - Return to Manaus.
Marajo Island From Manaus I will travel by plane to Belem, capital of the Pará State, this is a 2 hours flight, and from there take a three-and-a-half hour boat ride to the Marajo Island, where I will stay for 3 nights. During my visit to the Marajo Island I will stay in one of the “Pousadas” that are small family run hotels. This is the list of attactions I will see in the island:
1. Canoeing on the river for birds observation. Marajo is a birdwatcher’s dream, birds such as scarlet ibis and roseate spoonbills, parrots and little blue herons are some of the other birds likely to be spotted.
2. Buffalo rides, the Marajo Island is home to over 500,000 water buffalo, which outnumber the human population in the island more than 2/1. Water buffalos are a very important part of the locals daily life, it is used for transportation and also on their diet (meat, cheese and milk). 3. Marajoara Ceramics: As mentioned earlier, the Ilha de Marajo was the home of ancient Indian culture known as the Marajoara who produced some of the most unusual and elegant ceramics ever crafted in the New World. Studies ascertain that the Indians who populated Marajo already had significant knowledge of ceramics and had probably migrated from other, more culturally advanced lands since Marajoara art was not found in any others Amazon areas.
4. The Amazon Pororoca Phenomenon: Its name comes from the indigenous Tupi language, which translates into “great destructive noise” – this is a tidal bore, with waves up to 12 feet high that travel as much as 8 miles inland upstream on the Amazon River and adjacent rivers. If Mother Nature permits, I will witness the Pororoca phenomenon. The north coast of Ilha de Marajó, affords the best vantage point for observing the Pororoca. The experience involves complex logistics, since it happens with more intensity, two or three days before the full or new moon. With some planning, I hope I will be able to see that.
Raising Awareness In the recent years, the talk about conservation has become very common, recycle, reususe, and “green living� are terms that we hear almost every day. That is a positive sign that some of us are becoming conscious of the responsibility we have on this planet for future generations, even though we have a long way to go. We need to be aware that all our daily the activities somehow affects our planet. The trash we discard does not disappear magically, the water we consume comes from some place, etc. What happens in the Amazon affects everyone on the planet, and all the goods the Amazon can provide, such as medicinal plants can be beneficial to all. After 12 days of travelling in the Amazon Rainforest, I will to bring back and share with co-workers and friends the experience of this fascinating world; not the myth of piranhas and crocodiles attacks portrayed on Hollywood, but the experience of the daily life of people who depend completely on mother nature, and also share the emotion of seeing animals and plants that can only been seen in the Amazon. For that, during my journey, I will create a online blog and maintain a written and photographic journal of my experiences. That log will be updated during my stay in the cities of Manaus and Belem, where I will have access to internet. Upon on my return, I will make a book with the best pictures of the journey and organize a digital presentation which will be available to all easially. I believe that awareness is the first step for change. I look foward to that big journey and to share with others these amazing experience.
“Destroying the rainforest for economic gain is like burning a Renaissance paint to cook a meal.� Edward O. Wilson