Been there, done that

Since we last wrote we have been caught up in a middnight police raid, camped in the jungle, completed an Amazonian hike, met some more Indians and even saw some dried dolphin's vaginas for sale in the market (helps your libido by all accounts)...

Now, we are in Belem, Brazil! Tomorrow we are off to South America's party city - RIO!

Since we last wrote, we successfully left the country where three-quarters of all the world's kidnappings take place - Columbia. We boardered a river taxi which involved sleeping in hammocks on an open deck with 200 other people with our bags underneath. We slept in the middle of the deck so had people infront, behind and on each side of us - one guy was not even 30cm from my hammock. Loved the shower/toilet combos.

Twas an interesting experience being the only English speakers on board for four days, especially when the police shook us awake at middnight during an exciting evening raid where they went through all our bags. At one port, this sick guy in a stretcher boarded with his girlfriend, mother, siblings and nurse. It seemed the whole town had turned up to see him off and his boarding invovled a procession of people all who blessed him before he got on board.

We got off the boat in Manuas and quickly decided to jump straight back on another boat to take part in a two-day cruise. Highlight was when the guide pulled a cayman (crocodile) out of the river with his bare hands and we all gingerly patted it while he held it down. The American guy on board, asked if he could have a hold, his wife however did not think that was a good idea.

Camped out in the jungle under mosquito nets which was an experience. Saw quite a few nasties - inclduing more than our fair share of tarantualas - and heard a heap more in the distance rumbling around.

Tomorrow we fly out to Rio and return to London on Monday 5 December.

Later
Team Amazonia