A lively trading center on the Amazon (Henry Ford invested millions in rubber here in the 1920s). Others call it the Dodge City of Brazil because of the gold rush, prospectors and mining in the past. Here, now, we see the rubber and Brazil nut trees; learn how the locals make tapioca, staple of the Amazon and swim in the clear blue waters of the Rio Tapajos.
The journey here, however, was problematic. The mighty Amazon River has changed much during the rainy season. The current is stronger than usual. Islands have disappeared and new ones have formed. The channel buoys have all gone requiring the pilots to navigating old school. We arrived at Santarem 4 hrs later than planned.
We did not participate in any tours. Instead we stayed around the port and watched the river boats and commerce.
We also saw a great deal of wildlife in the river including an Anaconda swimming near the ship. A sight which is ,I am told, extremely rear.
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