Brazilian Amazon by Boat

What an amazing trip, couldnt fault a thing! From start to finish, it was organised so well and our tour guide was so knowledgeable. A gentle introduction to Brazilian life on the beautiful island of Marajo with its golden beaches and buffalo was a great idea. The public ferry was pretty basic but gave a glimpse of river life, relaxing on a hammock as we sailed up the Amazon. Yes, the food was plain and a bit repetitive but it was freshly cooked, tasty and plenty of it. Santarem was a delight, just like a seaside resort. The jungle hike there was a bit tough (but so worth it!) with a local guide showing us all the ways the plants and trees are used by the local people, and a swim in a cool stream was most welcome. The private boat trip was fabulous; sleeping on deck listening to the sounds of the night-time jungle, canoe rides to see the wildlife, fishing for piranha and another hike were exciting. The food on the boat was superb! TV programmes on the Amazon just don't cover the scale and magnificence of the river and jungle so if you're looking for adventure, maybe a little outside your comfort zone, then go for it. For me, this was the trip of a lifetime!