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The Amazing Amazon - Brazil

In a world that feels increasingly globalised, the quest for a truly exotic adventure salivates the appetite of many travellers.

The mighty Amazonian region of Brazil is one such place that simply can't fail to overwhelm even the most jaded of tourists.

If you yearn for the national geographic walk-in experience, my top recommendation would be a rendezvous with the irrepressible Amazon rainforest and river. If breathtaking natural scenery and indigenous culture are top priorities for you and your travel considerations, I think you would be hard pressed to beat the treasures of the Amazon. Enclosed is a thumb-nail sketch of the region's history and magical sightseeing attractions.

Manaus is a legendary belle-e'poque city, located in the heart of South America, 1000km up the Amazon River.

 

In the 19^th century, Manaus was propelled into prosperity, courtesy of Mr Goodyear and Mr Dunlop, who ushered in the rubber boom. The rubber tree grew with abundance in Amazonia and vast swathes of land on the outskirts of Manaus were cultivated by colonial traders as commercial plantations. However, the city's golden economic boom came to a shuddering halt in 1910 when British colonies in Asia eclipsed Brazil in the rubber production stakes.

But before the euphoria ended, a dazzling legacy of architectural glories had been constructed in Manaus. The showpiece is the Teatro Amazonas, a grand Renaissance-style opera house. Built in 1896 by the Portuguese colonials to entertain the new settlers, this majestic building would look right at home in Paris or Lisbon. The glorious theatre endures as a symbol of the opulence Manaus once enjoyed.

Porto Flutuante is the bustling port that services the booming cruise industry, in addition to the hundreds of fishing and cargo boats that load and unload everyday. Translated from Portuguese, the port's name means floating dock and it remains a technical marvel. Opened in 1902, the dock was designed to handle the dramatic rises and falls in seasonal water levels, which varies by as much as 14 metres. The dock is a deliciously colourful and chaotic sight, teeming with cargo and passengers night and day.

 

Jungle tripping is the top priority for most visitors, and a river and forest excursion will be etched into your memory for the rest of your life. River cruising by motor boat, and canoe-based excursions in the smaller tributaries will help to give you a better grasp on the sheer immensity of the waterway, which contains a fifth of the world's fresh running water. A popular sight is the meeting of the waters, where the Rio Negro intermixes with the Amazon.

The waters are home to a bewildering array of wildlife. Some of the most notable residents are manatees, anacondas, fresh-water dolphins and the razor-sharp piranhas.

Do not dangle your fingers in the water or Mr Piranha may well have them for dinner. Escorted excursions through the smaller tributaries and streams running off the main body of water enable you to sample a taste of the rainforest and river living.

You will pass by scores of indigenous settlements and riverside huts, although don't expect to see any spear-toting Indians. The truly primitive tribes are located deep in the interior of the rainforest and would take at least a week of intrepid expeditionary travel to reach them. One of the most primitive tribes, the Yanomami, only came into contact with Europeans 50 years ago. A plethora of riverside accommodation lodges have been built in recent years, enabling travellers to immerse themselves in the sights, sounds and smells of the rainforest.

 

A slew of tailor-made tourist-oriented facilities have clustered around the lodges, including restaurants and souvenir shops. Many of the souvenirs on offer are authentic locally made handcrafts, designed by indigenous river-dwellers. Mayriad walking trails allow visitors to encounter the rainforest in its raw glory. The sheer variety of tropical trees, plants and flowers is simply thrilling. One of the stand-out sights is to absorb the grace and beauty of the giant lily-pad ponds that are prolific in the Amazon.

In addition to the floral feast on offer, the birdlife is even more sensational. God certainly went crazy with his colour chart when creating his feathered friends of the rainforest. Gloriously multi-coloured birds like the macaw and the toucan festoon the forest. If you're lucky, you may well spot some of the rainforest's larger residents as well, including sloths, monkeys, alligators, caimans and even jaguars.