Amazon to celebrate my 500th month birthday!

First to Manaus in the heart of Amazonas state and the starting point for most Amazon trips. This was the centre of the rubber trade 100-150 yrs ago and was reputedly the richest city on the planet. The bottom fell out early in the 20thC but it is left with many grand buildings albeit some in a state of disrepair. The theatre has survived and is the focal point for the busy opera season.



The trip was to take about 4 hrs and required a crossing of the mighty Amazon. Here the Rio Solimoes meets the Rio Negro and due to varying densities, temperatures and flow rates they just don't mix!



Lake Juma lodge is home for two nights. It floats on the Amazon and goes up and down with the river as it rises and falls approx 40ft over the year!

In fact due to this regular flooding the farmers have a job on their hands moving cattle to dry land.

Morning rush hour

One of the many creeping crawlies. This is a "baby" crab spider

Trev and Tree

Tree and no Trev

Grub in large nut. Yep I did eat one. Tastes like yoghurt/milk

Ant nest/colony/large city


Evening rush hour

Me with a local

Cayman spotted and caught by Vincent the guide

Piranha caught by Trev the angler extraordinaire


Here's an adult one and yes those teeth are amazingly sharp

Brazil nuts in their shells, in their nut and husk

How to empty a canoe Amazon style

Set out in torrential rain for a night in the jungle

View from my room


Men, fire and meat


The closest we got to a toucan


Paddling through cayman infested waters

Home for the final night

A simple kitchen


The animals loved the cast offs


Three men in a boat

Let's end on a sunset....ahhh