Parintins, Brazil

Parintins is located on Tupinambarana Island in the Amazon River, halfway between Santaren and Manaus, Brazil. Accessible only by air and boat, the city of 115,000 is a 25-hour river boat trip from Manaus.  But Parintins is no isolated third-world community. In 2006, the Intel World Ahead Program brought in computers and connected two schools, a hospital, a community center and Amazon University to the WiMax broadband wireless Internet service.

Because there are not enough hotels in Parintins, out-of-town visitors either rent bedrooms from locals or sleep in hammocks in the Amazon river boats, which brought them from Manaus.  Most people don’t sleep at all, preferring to sing, dance and party around-the-clock.

Riverboat Hotels

The only shore excursion offered was the Boi Bumba Folk Show, which was presented in the large, air-conditioned convention center. Boi Bumba means “bull dance” and is a comic re-enactment of a legend based on a resurrected bull.  We were all tendered ashore and seated in the theatre.  The production was absolutely spectacular, with lots of drums, guitars and singing.  The music was non-stop for over an hour, accompanied by a wide array of beautiful costumed dancers. All the feathers on their costums were authentic and not dyed. It was one of the best performances we have ever seen and we have lots of great photos.

Photos from the performance

This was our last stop on the Amazon River and each stop was unique and well put together.

Devil’s Island, French Guiana

We didn’t know what to expect on Devil’s Island.  It is the smallest and northernmost island of the three Iles du Salut located about 6 nautical miles off the coast of French Guiana, South America. It has an area of 34.6 acres and it was the smallest of the nortorious French penal colony in French Guiana until 1952.

Once again we were tendered ashore and we spent the morning hiking around the island. It was incredible hot and humid, worse than the Amazon River, but we had a very enjoyable day.

Part of the ruins

Beautiful hiking path around the island

Not very much to say about this island, as most if the buildings are in ruins. There is a hostel and a hotel still operating on the island. We were able to see monkeys, peacocks and lots of other wildlife.  Off in the distance, on the mainland we were able to see the rocket launch site. If there was to be a rocket launch, the island would be evacuated.

The resident peacock

The prison cell ruins

The hotel

Another day at sea to rest up for 3 more days of shore excursions!