Upon arrival, we went to a local hotel where we were greeted by the locals and enjoyed a quality hotel.
We later traveled to a local research institute where we were given a guided tour and saw examples of the local wildlife including reptiles, and birds. We also observed a instructional session for farmers teaching them how to grow crops in more ecologically friendly ways.
Manaus is a busy port with large ships to cruise the Amazon to the Alantic Ocean. One of our first tasks was to take a river ride on the Rio Negro. Floating gas stations for boats are prevalent in the river near the city.
We traveled to the meeting of the waters of the dark Rio Negro and the silty Rio Solimões that defines the Amazon River. Traveling back on the Rio Negro, went close to the banks as we passed small villiages with houses on stilts.
We stopped at a small resturant and transfered to smaller boats. From these boats, we had a chance to observe wildlife both in the wild and sloths and snakes brought in by the children of the villages. Students and Faculty alike couldn't resist the allure of a python or the sloths. Tame monkeys also added to the delight of the day.
At the end of the first day, we were treated to a beautiful sunset over the Rio Negro.
Wanting more of a jungle experience, we hired another boat for a private ride into the jungle in the next evening. The second trip was even more memorible than the first.
