The Past Re-Lived, September 2021 - Iggy Tavares

[Iggy]

Brazil - Rio de Janeiro

Decades ago, well before I joined the CCC, i attended a conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
It was the days of the film camera when I was using a Pentax Z20 loaned to me by Pentax UK.
The trans-Atlantic flight arrived in Rio on a foggy morning that persisted through my sight-seeing tour.
The conference hotel was one of many on the lovely Copacabana beach.
Went to the top of Sugarloaf mountain and took an enjoyable cable car ride with views of Rio.
Then onward to see the 38-metre-tall, mesmerizing, statue of Christ the Redeemer that was still shrouded in mist.
Lunch was at a great steak restaurant.

[Iggy]

Brazil - Amazonia Hotel in Manaus

Three days later, Rio Conference completed, took a 6 hour flight to Manaus, a town deep in the Amazon Jungle via Brasilia.
In Manaus, stayed at the wonderful Amazonia Hotel that was very comfortable. Feasted on fresh fruit and fish.
One evening, the hotel hosted a lively, colourful cabaret. Sadly some dancers dressed in bird feathers.
Lots of colourful mementos that included stuffed piranha and masks were up for sale.

[Iggy]

Brazil - Some Wild Life

The heavily forested Amazon was teeming with wild life.
However the slightest disturbance sent them scouring for cover.
Hence it was difficult to see any wildlife in the open, apart from birds and monkeys high up in the trees.
Enjoyed a night walk in the forest to listen to the sounds of the dark.
The Amazonia hotel had a small zoo that housed some wild animals.
This included a young sloth, a white egret, some monkeys and, sadly, a beautiful panther.

[Iggy]

Brazil - Transport in the Amazon

The Amazon Rainforest is criss-crossed by hundreds of rivers of various sizes.
The most economical way to get from one place to another is by boats that come in various shapes & sizes.
A medium sized motor boat was sufficient to take ten of us on an exploratory night trip that included dinner at a small restaurant across the water.
On another day, a larger double-decker boat was used to take some 50 tourists to the Meeting of the Waters.
Here the dark Rio Negro and the pale Solimões River run side by side for several miles without much mixing, making an ideal place to see fresh water dolphins hunting for fish.
On the other hand, larger boats of various sizes are used to transport various commodities, including fresh fish, into Manaus and beyond.

[Iggy]

Brazil - Opera House & Palace in Manaus

The 125 year old Amazonas de Ópera in Manaus is now home to the Amazonas Philharmonic Orchestra which regularly performs classical concerts.
The Palácio Rio Negro built in 1903 in Manaus has since served as the seat of government but is now a museum on rubber and is an important center of cultural events.