ARRIVAL DELAYED

Our arrival in Manaus was delayed by 30 minutes due to slower speeds during the evening.

Our late arrival required us to moor at a different pier, requiring a short shuttle ride to the original cruise terminal.

BEST OF MANAUS

Our plan today was the HAL tour Best of Manaus

Best of Manaus

Departs: 8:30 AM Approximately 6½ Hours Price $229.95

Leave from the floating port of Manaus, designed to move with the river tide of the Rio Negro.

As you travel, you will pass the Customs House — prefabricated in Liverpool and shipped to Manaus a hundred years ago. Watch for the Palacio Rio Negro — it started out as the private residence of a German rubber baron and eventually became the Governor’s office.

Meet the inhabitants of the Amazon region at the Bosque da Ciencia — an open-air museum and Amazonian Research Station. The facility’s most famous project is the species revival of the Amazon River manatee. Observe these strange creatures, in danger of extinction, as they swim in a glass tank. Part of the museum is open-air, with access via trails. The other part is an indoor exhibit of scientific projects under development. See the world’s largest and smallest leaves, both found in the Amazon. Otters, electric eels, alligators, orchids and bromeliads are also housed here.

Visit the Military Zoo, where wildlife and Amazonian fauna are housed and stop for lunch at a barbecue restaurant.

Finally, the city’s most famous landmark awaits you. The lavish pink-and-white Opera House, known as the Teatro Amazonas, will be the highlight of your tour. Built in 1896, this marvel of architecture features a dome of 36,000 vitrified ceramic tiles imported from Europe, set in a mosaic of the colors of the Brazilian flag. The fantastic painting that graces the inside of the dome is a recreation of the view you would have if you stood under the Eiffel Tower and looked up. The dazzling auditorium boasts perfect acoustics, and performances here range from single guitar concerts to entire ballet companies and philharmonic orchestras. As stunning as the building is, perhaps its most extraordinary element is the fact that it is located in the heart of the Amazon jungle, in the city of Manaus — homage to the affluence that accompanied the rubber boom of 1896.

 

MANAUS OPERA HOUSE

Our first stop was the Manaus Opera House or Teatro Amazonas

Constructed during the late 19th century when Manaus thrived as a major economic center, the Manaus Opera House reflects the prosperity of the rubber era.  Inspired by the Italian Renaissance style, it showcases a harmonious blend of European opulence and Amazonian motifs.  One of the most striking features of the Opera House is its magnificent dome, covered with 36,000 colorful ceramic tiles, which depict the Brazilian national flag.

Nearby buildings were covered with colorful art

Centro de Instructao de Guerra na Selva (CIGS) Zoo

The Centro de Instructao de Guerra na Selva (CIGS), translates to The Jungle War Instruction Center or The Military Zoo for short.  Situated within a military training center it provides a fascinating glimpse into the diverse flora and fauna that call the Amazon their home.  Unlike modern zoos,  some animals here are kept behind chain-link fenced enclosures instead of more open environments.  There is also a small aquarium.  Unless you are interested in a particular exhibit, I wouldn’t make a special trip to visit.

Gaucho’s Churrascaria

We enjoyed lunch at a Brazilian Steakhouse, Gaucho’s Churrascaria.

It was crowded and filled with tourists from various tours.  A few locals were waiting to get in, and they may have been a little surprised to find the place packed midday.  Once seated, you take your plate to a buffet line where you self-serve your salad and sides.  Back at your table, roving waiters carrying large skewers of meat, from steaks to pork, will slice off portions directly to your plate.  We were here for about 1 hour.

Bosque da Ciência (Science Grove)

Our final stop was the Bosque da Ciência (Science Grove).  Managed by the National Institute of Amazonian Research (INPA), this scientific park offers a unique opportunity to explore the wonders of the Amazon rainforest while promoting environmental education and conservation.

 

BACK ON THE SHIP

We enjoyed a special dinner in the Pinnacle tonight with Kim and George.  We had a wonderful time and the food was terrific.