Ariau Amazon Towers Evocative Emotions Committed to Regional Sentiment
Ariau Towers SunsetSentiment at Ariau Amazon Towers. The Evocative Emotions Committed to Regional Amazon River Dolphin (Inia geoff-
Text by Francisco Ritta Bernardino Photographs by Leonide Principe
Amazon Stock Photography Manaus, Amazonas, BrazilTexts — 2011by: Francisco Ritta Bernardino
Photographs by Leonide Principe
rensis) also known as the Pink Dolphin or Red Dolphin swimming in the dark waters of the Negro River. Image produced by software through the merger of two photographs
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Text by Francisco Ritta Bernardino Photographs by Leonide Principe Amazon Stock Photography Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil — 2011
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Ariau Amazon Towers Evocative Emotions Committed to Regional Sentiment
Sunset at Ariau Amazon Towers. The Amazon River Dolphin (Inia geoffrensis) also known as the Pink Dolphin or Red Dolphin swimming in the dark waters of the Negro River. Image produced by software through the merger of two photographs
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The Enchanted “Mythical, mysterious, in between mammal and human . . . Magical! The Amazon River Dolphin is a being that every Amazon visitor should know. It is part of the cultural world and of the landscape. It is able to open the portal of understanding that goes far beyond the mere sensory perceptions. Reading about “The Enchanted” and seeing its images is just a call to live the experience of its contact. To live this experience is not only to see a river dolphin; to live this experience is to see, to feel and to sense this magnificent mammal”
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© 2010 All rights reserved Texts by: Francisco Ritta Bernardino Founder and owner of Ariau Amazon Towers. http://www.rittabernardino.com/ Photography and graphic design: Leonide Principe The photographs are part of the Amazon Stock Photography, a professional archive being built since 1990. http://www.leonideprincipe.com/ Photographer Leonide Principe took the analog pictures. However, they belong to the Photographic Archives of The Cultural Center of The Amazonian People — The Cultural Center for Amazonian people. The list of photographs at the end of the book provides the technical details and information about the photographs. Translation from portuguese: Tatiana Wiedemann Proofreading by Mona Sala Design Support: Marina Bokova Second Edition: June 21, 2011 Manaus — Amazonas — Brazil Contact: info@leonideprincipe.com
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Anavilhanas Archipelago Despite being regarded as the largest River Archipelago in the world, the Anavilhanas Archipelago has overcome in a number of islands by the Mariuá Archipelago. It is located in the same Negro upstream river in the municipality of Barcelos
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Ariau — Stirrer of Emotions is a very important Amazon way of life. It is a protection proclamation to its essential values from the destiny of the seeds to the singing of the crown trees. It will be found here the natural gifts of the rivers and the offering of the forest, men surrounded by a genesis scenery, from time to time have observed reality and Apolcalypse perditions. In these pages the ancestor’s bonfire flames crackle, shaman’s dreams, river dolphins magical spell swim along beside the anchored canoe at the horizon and the monkey kissing a flower. The world and the picture are united in this deposit which watches out, claims and contemplates, fulfilling the towers purpose. In between celebrating emotions, information jumping out, the themes over flowing, we hear the revelations, the universal consciousness appeals, so we listen to the planet’s suffering so clear in the water world. It is in this book, the competent settlement between cultural instances and claims from the so called progress. Therefore, one more time, Ritta Bernardino cares for the profile of the essential entrepreneurs in this time in history: first of all he loves earth and its talents, promotes it, keeps close to it as if it was a destiny partner. And he does it with so much respect, warmth and loyalty, that all this can be considered like a sort of devotion which cleans and orients the work and capitals drive, from politicians’ formulation, serving it as an example to our entrepreneurs, to our institutes. I have a feeling that it won’t be long until the day in which this entrepreneur will bring to the Amazon the creation of a national park. I can just imagine the name: PANATRI — RITTA’S NATIONAL Ariau TOWERS PARK. May it be.
Max Carphentier
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Summary The Enchanted
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Cabocla Art
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The Amazon Way
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River Dweller
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Invitation 15
Phenomenon 66
The Author
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Environmental Potency
The Photographer
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Breathing 86
The Origin
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Flourish 90
Tribute 27
Flowery Forest
Introduction 28
Emotion 96
The Region
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Encounter 100
Cabocla House
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Protest 102
Panoramic view of the Parana do Ariau during the blooming of the Taxizeiros (Triplares surinamensis)
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Climbing 108
Horizon 184
River Dolphin’s Son
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Nevado Mismi
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Contact 136
Giant’s Search
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Hurray! 139
Mother of the Forest
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Re-introduction 143
Youth Fountain Square
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Tarzan’s House
Epilogue 202
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Bird 155
Friends of the Heart
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Alive Nutrient
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Picture’s Index
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Jungle Guide
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Author’s works
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Absolute Amazon
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The Amazon Way “The Enchanted One” waits in the river so calm The Red Dolphins gently swimming around There’s “The Tarzan House,” the wonder of it all Hold on to the ropes, they will not let you fall Here in the Amazon Forest, so alive and green The most enchanted sights you have ever seen Enjoy your stay and come back again soon We will greet you with our splendor of blooms A Riverside Dweller will treat you with care Exotic scents of the flowers will fill up the air Swim in the river, run and explore some more There is plenty of fish and great food galore Here in the Amazon Forest, such a wondrous sight A rain forest to be admired, both day and night Unpack your luggage, have a great stay Surprises you will find in “The Amazon Way.”
Written by Mona Marie Sala 4.17.11 Dedicated to Dr. Ritta Bernardino, Leonide Principe and “The Ariau Amazon Towers” Photograph: The Great Potoo (Nyctibius grandis)
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We dedicate this book to all those who, in one way or another, love the Amazon. We dedicate it to all those who dream of a better world for our children and grandchildren. We also dedicate it to all those who are dedicating their time to the preservation of forests, the rivers, and the precious Amazonian eco-systems. We are responsible for the future of the humanity!
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“Today, after more than twenty years, under the gaze of Cacha hanging on the wall of my office in Paris, Celso and I, with the enthusiasm of two boys, nurture a dream that may seem a little crazy. A little crazy, but exciting. And also achievable. This is why we seriously asked ourselves this question. — What if we organize a new expedition to the Amazon? Just to see how the people and landscapes have changed. Tempting…” From the book: My Father-The Captain: My Life with Jacques Cousteau by Jean-Michel Cousteau.
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“Protect (and you do!) the Amazon and you protect yourself!” (Jean-Michel Cousteau)
Invitation Following the reflections of our friend Jean-Michel on the “enthusiasm of two boys” and on “a new expedition,” we want to keep the pathfinders’ flame alive and strong. There are those who exceed the limits of daily comfort and adventure to experience special situations, with nothing more than the pure intention of discovery. Just like Jean-Michel, we felt this irresistible call of the unknown, and also launched our invitations for further expeditions. More expeditions will certainly show what truly has value. The Amazon is a perfect region for this. The world must know what is at stake.
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The Author
When we decided to produce this book, at least one thing was very clear. We did not want to produce one more piece of publicity. Ariau Amazon Towers— the Stirrer of Emotions was born to be a report like an internal memory document. At the same time, a story that is documented which has already been regarded as the cultural phenomenon in the Amazon. How could we talk about a business with an acceptable level of fairness? It would be a dubious undertaking if the whole weight of the production were concentrated on the management alone, and if the said management guided the work, without consulting all parties involved, especially the tourists. They are the actors and heroes of this adventure. We will need to ask them on every page,
Sunrise at Ariau Amazon Towers. Panoramic view from the merger of three shots
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and if necessary, let go of our expectations and listen to the guests’ voices that arrive at their destination with their own expectations. So that in turn they may also take the results back to their respected countries. Expectations and results represent the two essential parameters of our equation. The capricious and unpredictable variables of human nature. We must welcome them with open arms, just like a tightrope walker would if he had one in each hand. Based on this recognition, we have established that our part would be subjected to a responsible commitment to openness, consultation and interviews. This means that all personnel involved and responsible for the success of Ariau
Francisco Ritta Bernardino
Ariau Amazon Towers — this book started out to be somewhat of a report as an internal document, like a memory report and at the same time is already regarded as a cultural phenomenon of the birth and growth of Ariau.
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The Jacques Cousteau Tarzan House in honor of the Renowned Oceanographer — Jacques-Yves Cousteau
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would be called forth to participate in the production. From the dedicated employee, the jungle guides and the Hotel Management. Since the first illustrious characters, Roman Polansky and others such as Bill Gates, Jimmy Carter, Juan Carlos the King of Spain, Susan Sarandon, Isabel Allende, the formal Brazilian President Lula and so many more, the cultural phenomenon of The Ariau Amazon Towers has been writing a few pages on the history of global eco-tourism. Students of tourism in our country take interest in and study the issue, which should never enlarge our small ego, but rather increase our responsibility on the road to a truly sustainable activity, in all directions, in every detail.
Francisco Ritta Bernardino
Dr. Francisco Ritta Bernardino and his daughter Ellen on Ariau’s catwalks, during an interview with Globo News Channel
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The Photographer I can say that I saw Ariau being born and growing up. During my long stays, with tour after tour, it was in this area that I produced a large quantity of photographs, expanding and enriching the Bank Image of the Amazon. In those images, it is included one of the best well known photo — the passionate kiss of the Scarlet Macaws.
Leonide Principe
Discreetly hidden on the walkway closest to the treetops, I had the two lovers in my 300 mm lens’ sight for more than an hour, accompanying it was a surprisingly human romance. That was my greatest wonder of observing the feelings and emotions, generally seen as human characteristics. Did I change my mind? I can certainly say I did, even daring to include the plant kingdom, and why not, the mineral kingdom as well. Another memorable image captured in the understory, this time was under the catwalks, in the sequence of a Capuchin Monkey smelling a wild passion fruit flower. At least, that was what it seemed. I was photographing a red flower which stood out in the darkness of the forest ground. Everything was ready. The flash was mounted and the camera aimed. When out of the soft movement of the foliage, the trickster’s smart face came into view. It was a magical moment that turned surprise into action. On one hand the monkey grabbed the flower and took it to his mouth. On the other, my finger shot a sequence of flashes that recorded the natural gesture of eating. Yes, he ate that flower as it was his intention. Thus, I keep the lessons of the two images as two basic attitudes in the observation of animal behavior.
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The passionate kiss of two scarlet macaws — the Ara macao with eyes closed and feathers ruffled
Discreetly hidden on the walkway closest to the treetops, I had the two lovers in my 300 mm lens’ sight for more than an hour, accompanying a ‘surprisingly human’ romance.
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Capuchin Monkey (Cebus apella) with a passion fruit flower from the forest (Passiflora sp)
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It was a magical moment that turned surprise into action. On one hand, the monkey grabbed the flower and took it to his mouth, on the other my finger shot a sequence of flashes that recorded the natural gesture of eating. Yes, he ate that flower, it was his intention.
1) The rational human being, the scientific man has a self-serving tendency to put himself as the sole holder of spiritual qualities, placing himself even above nature. This is the tragic mistake that ignores the “soul,” and we are seeing the consequences of our mistake in our relationship with our environment. 2) Photography creates a theatrical performance, in which the animal behavior projects a typical human attitude. The smile that sprouts from the comparison brings two different beings close together. “It seems to be smelling.” There are many other images like this one, which illustrates the essence of this enchanted place that is called Ariau. They will be presented throughout this book as a record of a transferable sensory experience… A bold proposition perhaps, but it is a desire that kept a marked presence throughout the production process.
Leonide Principe
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The Origin
Here is the hero of several generations. Certainly the first generations that had the courage to look at something that was not convenient to look at. The planets first environmentalist raised his voice in the desert and soon many arrived at that isolated place. Jacques-Yves Cousteau was the hero of our youth. The adventures of the Calypso are stored in our hearts as the beginning of a great achievement of humanity, a more careful and conscious perception of nature. At last we realized that something was alive around us. Something that was not there, but was only to be used and consumed at will. This was the man of our best memories. Luckily for us, he came unexpected to our way. In a monotonous Manaus, still trying to recover from a vanished Belle Époque, he appeared like a revitalizing wind. In what we consider a great privilege of fate, Captain Jacques-Ives Cousteau arrived in Manaus, and beyond what we could expect, he stayed at our hotel downtown, The Monaco Hotel. Could it have been because of the name, which matched the principality that sheltered him? Be that it may, Captain Cousteau, talked to us several times and at one of those times remained so engraved in our minds, that it would substantially change the course of our lives.
The Negro River — Meeting of the Waters. The blue waters of Negro River meet the Solimões River which is very muddy and dominating. From this meeting, the Amazon River is born
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— Today we are cutting down millions and millions of trees in the Amazon . . . If no one says it is enough, in a not so far-away future, the forest will be destroyed. And it will cause a huge repercussion on the planet’s survival. — The Amazon will soon be a place that many people will want to visit. The attention given to environmental issues grows ever more on the planet, and the Amazon is certainly one of them. You, as residents of the Amazon, also need to be part of this attention, to change the course of things. Tourism is the new noble frontier of the Ama-
zon. So investing in this area now will prepare you to receive the many tourists who are eager to learn, see and experience something that is superlative in all of its aspects. Those tourists will be the new universal conscious in the Amazon protection. The captain’s views on the Amazon were unmistakable and striking: “A universe of wonderful possibilities and enchanting uncertainties.”
Calypso poster autographed by the Oceanographer Jacques-Yves Cousteau. A gift to Dr. Francisco Ritta Bernardino, during an Amazon Expedition in 1982. (Ariau Photographic Archive)
“It’s not just about the most impressive river in the world. It is a sea of fresh water in motion that crushes any other river in size. [. . .] A huge network of creeks, channels, wetlands, flooded forests, lakes and sand banks . . . the superlatives also apply to the jungle. [. . .] At the heart of the vegetation entanglement, it is where the world’s most flamboyant animal life evolves. There are spiders so large that they can hunt birds . . . nearly half of all bird species worldwide . . . the largest rodents, the largest ants, the longest snakes and the largest number of bats and monkeys’ species . . .” Jacques-Yves Cousteau e Mose Richards, L’ expedition do commandant Cousteau en Amazonie, Robert Laffont, Paris, 1985.
The captain’s views on the Amazon were unmistakable and striking: “An universe of wonderful possibilities and enchanting uncertainties.” 27
Kinan, the boy who was born and lives in the forest
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Article 1 Future generations have the right to an uncontaminated and undamaged Earth and to its enjoyment as the basis of human history, culture and social bonds which make each generation and individual a member of one human family. Article 2 Each generation, sharing the estate and heritage of the Earth, has a duty as trustee for future generations to prevent irreversible and irreparable harm to life on Earth and to human freedom and dignity.
Tribute On this page, as a sign of profound respect and admiration for our friend Captain Jacques-Yves Cousteau, we would like to remember the Future Generations’ Bill of Rights. This document has been forgotten by some and copied by many, but remains a memorable mark in humanities collective consciousness.
Article 3 It is, therefore, the paramount responsibility of each generation to maintain a constant vigilant and prudential assessment of technological disturbances and modifications adversely affecting life on Earth, the balance of nature and the evolution of mankind in order to protect the rights of future generations. Article 4 All appropriate measures, including education, research, and legislation, shall be taken to guarantee those rights and to ensure that they are not sacrificed for present expediencies and conveniences. Article 5 Governments, non-governmental organizations and individuals are urged, therefore, to imaginatively implement those principles, as if in the very presence of those future generations whose rights we seek to establish and perpetuate.
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Introduction
On a certain occasion, we were climbing a tree in Ariau. It was a majestic Kapok Tree of approximately 50 meters high, a monument just as impressive and precious as the Eiffel Towel. However, unlike the monuments built by men, the ones from the Amazon are alive and numerous, each one of them with its extraordinary beauty and peculiarity. During this climb, right at the top of the forest, we were surrounded by curious animals tried to figure out who were these new species that were invading their habitat. At the emergent crown of the kapok tree, on the top of the forest, an exceptional place, we realized the vast amount of emotions that were there, waiting a new visitor . . . If this high potential of emotions could be considered like the GDP (Gross Domestic Product), it would certainly help a great deal on the growth of any country’s economy. Yes! If this amount, like the GDP, were to be considered as an indicator of progress, the Gross Domestic Happiness would generate a great well being in our society. It sounds like a joke . . . But it isn’t! Along with this belief, some public news shows a new and interesting trend to our planet. The Bhutan, a small and remote country between India and China, became the example of a nation’s progress. The king, a blessed monarch, was the creator of the Gross Domestic Happiness. This new economic indicator includes: psychological well being, good health, better usage of time (work/leisure related), community vitality, education, cultural preservation, environment protection, a fair government and financial security. The Bhutan isn’t the only place where politicians talk about happiness. With the intention of reevaluating how
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France measures its progress, the French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, organized a committee led by economists and Nobel Prize winners such as Joseph Stiglitz and Amartya Sen. The committee indicated to be important: health, family cohesion and leisure time. Sarkozy embraced the recommendations and went one step forward, suggesting that those indicators should be accepted by the European Community. We believe that the Gross Domestic Happiness should also be embraced by companies; only the value of money earnings would not define the success of an enterprise, but also the amount of happiness brought to their clients.
Tourists contemplating the sun-set at the Negro River
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For a number of reasons, the Ariau has the power of stirring those emotions, something that so far is only felt and not yet defined. This books context allowed us to think about the importance of this value, making it emerge and consolidate as an indicator that needs to be included in our developing plans. The gained benefits are met in the natural expansion, being multiplied by the emotions that are met in the pass-ways and in the igapós around Ariau, in the dive with an Amazon porpoise, in the emergent crown of the kapok tree. The book Ariau — Stirrer of Emotions is all about what we just talked until now. Certainly the book isn’t for advertising purpose, however it can be used for it — certainly, the book will stimulate a lot of new bookings, so that many visitors will be able to say “I was at the Ariau! I was at the Amazon!” The main reason to develop a book about the Ariau was a thought and a permanent record of phenomenon which can gather many worldwide personalities and many visitors from all corners of the world. We confess, for us, this was always a great deal of a surprise. When the Ariau was just a tower where we would spend happy weekends, the Amazon region was already International News. However, the news were like bad music, with a few notes and always repetitive; Amazon in flames, irremediable destruction; trapped and sick indigenous; gold miners starving for more gold, destroying the river banks and spreading mercury; destruction and loss, a Brazil that does not preserve it’s treasure. This was for sure important, but only a few knew the reality which they talked about so vividly. Myths were created, just as noxious as their authors. In some way, this still happens: doctors, professors, politicians and artists continue to create notes for an orchestra that were neither born nor played here.
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The Ariau — we can say this with evidence — was born in the Amazon, inspired by the illustrious Jacques-Yves Cousteau, who came all the way here to get to know it. The Ariau belongs to the earth. The Ariau is like a musical play which was locally composed and performed. Many people appreciate the music, some others don’t. But it is undeniable that the music notes which were born in the Amazon orchestra echo throughout the world. And the most important is: they are played in many rhythms and tones, not only destruction ones. The beauty of rio Negro, the mysterious igapó, the simplicity of the ribeirinho (riverside dweller), the pureness of the local manners, the fauna, the flora, the landscape . . . The Ariau materializes all of this in front of the eyes of those amazed tourists — and this is what we are looking to pass on throughout the Towers book, besides to alert what needs to be changed. The Ariau is not just a hotel but it is mainly a cultural phenomenon, a provider of many intense emotions. Throughout this, the visitor can breath Amazon, live in the habitat of ribeirinho (riverside dweller), feel the presence of great personalities which came and still come here, and to understand the reason that makes millions of people eager to fight for the preservation of the largest forest in the world. The Ariau is a stirrer of emotions, suggestive, oriented and committed to the local feelings of the Amazon. Like other colleagues and local characters, they play our local music, making it echo in all four corners of the world and perhaps beyond it . . . Remember that we have a ovniport (a small airport for extraterrestrial tourists) in Ariau!
Next Page: Eugene Shepp, 84 years old, came from the USA to climb a 60 m high Kapok Tree. He was amazed with the experience To the right: The White-fronted Capuchin Monkey (Cebus albifrons) eating palm tree fruit
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Since the first edition of the book, we were a little audacious and we are presenting the book in nine languages: Portuguese, English, French, Italian, Spanish, Arabic, Russian, Chinese and Japanese. We are working hard to have it translated in thirty languages for the next step. All this gigantic editorial operation was made possible throughout the global advances of the internet. The most up to date techniques of online services are being used, creating a network of collaborators that provide the editing, the translations, the designing, etc. Approximately 50 people spread around the world are working, unknown collaborators which help us with this project directed to the human kind. The Book Ariau was created like a local message, a message from the Amazon which is brought from the heart of the largest forest and echoes throughout the world. The human kind needs to build a peace relationship with the forests and the Mother of All. Our contemplating contact with Nature and emotions that are born with those emotions provides well-being and happiness.
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This book was developed to comfortably sit on the shelves of the book stores, as well as the contemporaries’ ways of communications. It can be acquired in the internet, electronic or printed format. If electronic, it can be read in any computer or mobile device (iPhone, Ipad, Galaxy, among others). For those who enjoy to leaf through a book, it can be ordered from the internet, in any of the nine languages. The book exists in two versions: luxury version, with hard cover and special paper, and the economic version, which allows more access to the public. Being born on a worldwide computer network, the Ariau — Stirrer of Emotions can be ordered from anywhere with internet connection. We adopted the Print on Demand method for the printed version books. The Zero Carbon Emission parameters are applied in most of our production process. To acquire the book in the desired format and keep up with the news and up-dates, please access our website: www.rittabernardino.com
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Many people say that our marketing results are beyond the competent institutes work. Of course we would be much happier if the same competent institutes would act like real supporters for our regions image on foreign land . . . While this doesn’t happen, we keep up with our marketing effort, wishing for a more consistent support. For those reasons, we believe that allowing a visa entry for anyone in the world — regardless of religion or belief, ethnic or geographic origin —we will make the world witness the Brazilian way, specially the inhabitants of the Amazon, who knows how to live life in a respectful way. Further more; the recognition of the importance of our region will help in the Amazon forest preservation and in creating more jobs, income and quality of life to our beloved nation.
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The Book Ariau was created like a local message, a message from the Amazon which is brought from the heart of the largest forest and echoes throughout the world. The human kind needs to build a peace relationship with the forests and the Mother of All. Our contemplating contact with Nature and emotions that are born with those emotions provides well-being and happiness.
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