Wildlife, History and Adventure In the Amazon

Amazon Pristine Rainforest and Floodplain tour in Santarem

2012-02-08T15:21:00.000-08:00

Amazon River Dolphin

At Tapajos National Forest

Overnight camp at Tapajos National Forest

Green Iguana at Maica

Three-toed Sloth at Maica

Exploring Amazon Floodplain by canoe

Pacific Princess Part I (January 2nd 2012

2012-01-02T12:39:00.001-08:00

Pacific Princess Part II (January 2nd 2012)

2012-01-02T12:39:00.000-08:00

MV EXPLORER PART II

2012-01-02T12:24:00.000-08:00

MV EXPLORER

2012-01-02T12:02:00.000-08:00

Cheers mates!! Happy New year!

2011-12-31T07:12:00.000-08:00

Hi Gil

Do you remember us from February/March this year - you took us, along with Gladys and Roland on 2 of the most wonderful days we have ever spent ashore from a cruise ship (Seabourn 0dyssey). We look very often at the photographs bringing back super memories of the forest, river boat, Belterra, pink dolphins, fish market and the cook who prepared such a lovely meal on board our river boat. Most of all the best guide on the Amazon.

We bought a copy of 'The Thief at the end of the World' - Joe Jackson who wrote this book thought the same as us 'the best guide on the Amazon'. If we cruise again on the Amazon we would like to have your sister Maxie, as we understand she is the best shipboard cook.

Hope you enjoyed your concert which you were looking forward to with a famous pop group.

You were to be a father in July - hope you are not getting too many sleepless nights.

We send our Best Wishes for a very Happy New Year.

David and Mary Parsons

Pacific Princess Part III

2011-12-28T11:16:00.000-08:00

Pacific Princess Part II

2011-12-28T11:02:00.000-08:00

Pacific Princess Part I

2011-12-27T15:36:00.000-08:00

Rainforest Tour

2011-12-12T03:24:00.000-08:00

Updated boat schedule from Santarem to Belem and Manaus

2011-12-06T16:31:00.000-08:00

tour avec moi

2011-11-30T10:59:00.000-08:00

Sailing on the Tapajos River trip

2011-11-28T06:19:00.000-08:00

on the way back home

2011-11-02T03:28:00.000-07:00

Belo Monte

2011-10-31T12:53:00.000-07:00

While at Altamira we had a chance to check what will be the third largest dam in the world and maybe the second largest rainforest destruction in Brazil. Lots of worriers and weapons of mass destruction in the area.

It is NOT true that we are on the verge of collapse energy. It is true NOT that we are on the verge of a "blackout." We have enough power. What we need is to prioritize the improvement of quality of life by increasing the availability of energy for the population. And this can be done with local alternatives, closer, not centralized, with the change in consumer habits.
It is important to lose this reference that we carry today that this kind of project is necessary because it will bring progress and development of the country. This is a fallacy. Of course, if it continues like this, if the forecast of increased production of electro materializes, will be lacking power.

But, citizens get informed, put pressure and open up channels of participation and decision-making process to define what country we want. And there are those who say, "Oh, but he is willing to live by candlelight ...". No, I'm saying we can reduce our energy consumption by rationalizing that we consume, we can reduce the consumption patterns of electricity, allowing more people to be met without building a big, a huge plant that will bring enormous social, economic and environmental.

It is important to KNOW that every time you turn on an electrical appliance, television, computer, or the light of your home the energy is the result of a painstaking process of expulsion of people, the removal of a population of their material life. And this is absolutely reprehensible, especially if they are indigenous and traditional peoples. But it also relates to our own lives. You must have a critical awareness of our way of life that will not change tomorrow, but it must already be in people's minds, because not only energy, is a series of natural resources that we simply do not consider being exhausted and committed.
It is necessary from school children to have this discussion, this discussion incorporate into your daily life. I also have a great difficulty to get here in my room and not just connect the computer to see emails and stuff. I confess that I have. But I also know a great satisfaction when I can not do that. And that sense of satisfaction is a cultural thing, personal, subjective. But it must be perceived by people. That our world is not only for us to benefit from these "amenities" that the power supplies in particular. Now it requires effort, and we live in a world where the effort to see life differently is not encouraged. So it's difficult. And so, for those who want to build a plant, whether they do well, wants to win votes, or maintain a situation of privilege, whether local or national, for these people is very easy to convince that it is done with respect to such works. As much as I have always called attention to the absolute illogic of the plant, issues involving economic and financial logic of this dam, to the absurdity of the use of public money for this, the reference to the need to require in the near future, face a violent pace of cost of living, sending money to support projects like this, it is very difficult to make people understand the relationship of this situation with great projects. And Belo Monte is more an instrument of that. I'm not catastrophic, I have no perception of evil hydroelectricity. Not demonize hydroelectricity. I just note that, the way it is conceived, particularly in our country in recent years, is one of the foundations of social injustice and environmental degradation. If you are not thinking of you, you necessarily need to think about future generations.
This is the message to the reader: it is necessary to rethink the relationship with the energy and the development model, you need to change our industrial profile and you also need to change the culture of people in relation to consumption habits. We need to change the relationship that leads to a blind resource exhaustion.
taken from
http://revistaepoca.globo.com/Sociedade/noticia/2011/10/belo-monte-nosso-dinheiro-e-o-bigode-do-sarney.html

Fordlandia/ BR163 and BR230 Adventure

2011-10-20T06:24:00.000-07:00

We met adorable people on the way

Land without names

Land "without men" for men without land.

land of destruction

land of misery

AT FORDLANDIA

PAVING BR163

fORDLANDIA UNDER RECONSTRUCTION

Infinite land

Land without law

The Transamazonia highway is the deepest ecological and

social wound ever done after Fordlandia.

Jungle Marathon 2011

2011-10-06T15:01:00.000-07:00


Juli Goldstein is running for raising funds for Stryder Cancer Foundation and awareness about marine mammal's current situation world wide.

Becky Wood volunteering just like our mate below

Jungle Marathon 2011

2011-10-06T13:06:00.000-07:00

Steve expressing his knowledge and humour

Sounds like fun now

Multi connected

Kato what? from Japan

2011-10-06T10:24:00.000-07:00

A smiley Korean runner with Shirley Thompson, The race director. Just above Dr Antonio being introduced to the new medical team.

Jungle Marathon 2011

2011-10-04T17:48:00.000-07:00

Tom and Jacob

Tom from Australia will run JM 2011 and is found himself already at Alter do chao acclimatising. Same to Jacob. Becky Wood this time will be in the medical team. The medical team and several other runners will get to here tonight. The paradise will soon turn into hell!

Special Cruise Tour (Stm,Tapajos National Forest, Belterra, Alter do Chao

2011-09-21T13:29:00.000-07:00

In the nice and warm tapajos river water

In the rainforest

Getting ready for a dip into the Tapajos River

Pretty unique tour involving exploration of pristine Rainforest, history of Belterra and the paradisaical Alter do chao with Jolen Serique.

LBA tower

A fruit bar-b-cue at Alter do chao

Our guide at the park on the left

Jolen Serique

Pristine rainforest

Tapajos National Forest

Alter do chao

Belterra

Special Cruise Ship Tours in Santarem, Amazon.

2011-09-17T08:34:00.000-07:00

Be safe

On the boat in Santarem

Welcome Captain

Gil Serique at work

Aida cruises the Amazon

Water buffalos

Aida in Santarem

Amazon Floodplain

Rubber tree oozing

Welcome aboard

The meeting of the waters by bird eyes

On the Tapajos river

Exploring the amazon floodplain by canoe

Fish snack

taking pix

Pristine Rainforest

Brazil nuts

Seabourn Odyssey

Belterra

Alter-do-chão

Mapping

Birdwatching

Piranha

Photography

Green Iguana

Cruise ship in the Amazon

Three-toed sloth

Seabourn Pride in Santarem

Rainforest picture

Amazon nuts

A bit of reading

Pink dolphin watching

Co-guide, biologist Jolen Serique

Giant water lillies

Black-collared hawk

M/V REGATTA IN SANTAREM

O ladrao foi liberado

2011-09-09T08:38:00.000-07:00

Finalmente em portuga O Ladrao no Fim do Mundo de Joe Jackson. O livro trata da historia da borracha relacionando os confederados ao naturalistas ingleses, alem de judeus e os Henry Fords da vida. Nunca me senti tao tranquilo e feliz em recomendar uma leitura.

Tapajos National Forest Tour

2011-08-07T06:12:00.000-07:00

Sophie de Boysson and Capixaba

Gil Serique fixing a drink

Gil Serique and Sophie

Introducing Windsurf Equipment to my daughter

2011-08-06T14:41:00.000-07:00

-See Flora, my dear daughter, this is a harness. You have to have one soon, very soon. It works pretty much like a pacifier. It is indispensable for a great windsurfing

Last Supper em Belo Montes (os outros tao contando $ no banheiro)

2011-08-02T00:48:00.000-07:00

Meanwhile in Altamira (Belo Monte)

2011-08-02T00:21:00.000-07:00

WE NEED YOU!!

Weapons of mass destruction

2011-08-01T23:48:00.000-07:00

A convoy of boats landed on the morning of Monday 3 (5 / 7), on the dock of Vitória do Xingu (PA), 37 heavy machine that will work in the construction of the first construction sites of hydroelectric Belo Monte. The equipment, recently acquired by the Consortium Builder Belo Monte (CCBM), left the port of Belem on the night of Friday 6 and reached the destination after more than 80 hours away.

A moment in History (part I I)

2011-08-01T11:36:00.000-07:00

The year we got together to protest against Kararao and Babaquara Hydroeletrics was 1989, they are known today as Belo Monte Dam. The key people were the various Brazilian indigenous groups plus Heraldo Maués and Darrel Possey (anthropologists), Pinon Friaes (ecologist), Fabio Feldman, Paulo Capobianchi (ecologists), Barbara Bramble(Journalist)), Barbara Pyle (ecologist), CIMI people...Sting was there, Gabeira, Manuel Dutra (jornalist), Camilo Viana (ecologist), Celivaldo Carneiro (journalist), Marcelo Rubens Paiva(writer) Lucelia Santos (actress), Vivaldo Reis (UFPa), Brigitte Bardoux missed the plane. Kubei, Raoni, Paiakan, Davi Yanomami, Tuto Pombo...

Fernando Gabeira, Que é isso companheiro?

Marcelo Rubens Paiva (Feliz ano velho)

Coronel Pombo

A moment in History (part I)

2011-08-01T11:20:00.000-07:00

Pinon Friaes

Guerreira Tuira

Gil Serique

Morpho

2011-07-30T19:05:00.000-07:00

The cruise ship industry in my country

2011-07-30T08:47:00.000-07:00

May 30, 2011 SAO PAOLO - Brazil could become a booming all-year-round cruise destination if technical concerns around South American cruise tourism policy were successfully resolved, says MSC Cruises CEO, Mr Pierfrancesco Vago.
Mr Vago, who was speaking during a panel discussion at South America’s first ever Seatrade Cruise Tourism Convention currently being held in Sao Paolo, Brazil, said “it is critical that dialogue be strengthened between the cruise sector, national regulators and decision makers to ensure the future of the continent as one of the fastest growing source markets for the industry.”
He said the cruise industry’s significant growth had set new records in the region during the last season, with six cruise lines operating twenty ships and carrying almost 800’000 guests.
In addition an Economic Impact Study, commissioned by Abremar, the Brazilian Association of Maritime Cruises had translated these staggering numbers into concrete economic impact.
Presented by the Getulio Vargas Foundation in a pre-opening session at the Convention earlier in the day, the study showed that the cruise sector was a huge contributor to the Brazilian economy, accounting for a total economic output of 814 million USD during the 2010/2011 cruise season.
But Mr Vago warned that it was not all plain sailing: “The cruise sector boom could be in danger for a number of factors: The industry’s development is threatened by unclear rules and regulations, there is a lack of competitive incentive in the operation of certain passenger terminals, there are weak and poor port infrastructures and operation costs are astronomical, all of which makes cruising in South America the world’s most expensive itineraries.
“I believe I speak for the entire cruise sector when I say it is about time we started assessing and discussing with all those wishing to engage in technical debate and consultations around these issues,” said Mr Vago who was joined on the panel by senior representatives of leading cruise line companies operating in the region.
“Brazil would certainly become a leading all-year-round destination if dialogue around these issues was successful”, said Mr Vago in closing.
The Seatrade South America Cruise Convention was also attended by a high-profile delegation of MSC Cruises Brazilian representatives. They included Roberto Fusaro, Managing Director MSC Cruises South America; Marcia Leite, Operations Director, MSC Cruises Brazil and Adrian Ursilli, Vice President of Abremar and Commercial Director of MSC Cruises Braz

The cruise ship industry in my country

2011-07-30T08:39:00.001-07:00

Jul 25, 2011
After growing 20 percent annually over the past ten years and reaching a level of 800,000 tourists annually, the pace of cruise expansion in Brazil is expected to encounter a sharp slowdown in the 2011-2012 season.
Ricardo Amaral, Royal Caribbean CEO in Brazil and head of the Association of Maritime Cruises Ricardo Amaral, Royal Caribbean CEO in Brazil and head of the Association of Maritime Cruises
The estimated expansion in the supply of beds is only 1.6%. The main reason is the infrastructure deficiencies of Brazilian ports, which have no more room for receiving large vessels. Given this scenario, it will mark the first time a cruise season will have fewer vessels than the last: 17 instead of 20.
Brazilian industry executives say that the trend, if port infrastructure remains unchanged, is for the industry to rearrange its size, because it may have grown far more than ports capacity.
“The sector's growth will slow down. There is insufficient investment in ports. The system is at the limit” says the president of the Association of Maritime Cruises (Abremar), Ricardo Amaral, also Royal Caribbean CEO in Brazil.
However Brazil’s Ports Secretariat reported that it is well aware of maritime demand growth. “The Ports Secretariat (SEP) is building six terminals for the World Cup 2014 which demand an investment of 740 million Real (approx 460 million US dollars). All projects are going to be leased out in due time and they will all be finished by 2013”.
Italy’s MSC Cruises is planning a 34% drop in the number of beds this coming season as well as in overall sales, although the percentage was not released. Adrian Ursilli head of MSC marketing said the company will be operating one vessel less, a reduction of 70.000 beds this season which will be transferred to operations in the Arab Emirates.
“Last year we transported 300.000 South American tourists of which 250.000 Brazilian. This coming season the number will drop to 200.000”, estimated Ursilli. However he also pointed out that MSC, Abremar, Brazil Ministry of Tourism have been jointly working together with other government offices to find a solution to the port bottlenecks.
Royal Caribbean is also bringing a cruise vessel less this season to the South Atlantic. It will be operating with two vessels but estimates a growth of 30% in the number of tourists since it has extended the season 20 days, which means the number of calls will increase from 44 last season, to 51 in 2011/2012.
“With less supply, there’s an overall natural tendency for cruise trips prices to increase, even more if the bookings are made at last moment”, points out Amaral, head of Caribbean Brazil, “prices could go up as much as 20%”.
Amaral revealed that according to a recent survey from the Getulio Vargas Foundation (FGV) 70% of cruise passengers are what he described as “first time mariners”, meaning tourists that have been attracted by the so called thematic cruises.
This refers to cruises that present singers, television actors, football players and even different styles of music such as ‘heavy metal’ Amaral estimates that anywhere from 10% to 20% of cruises in a season are thematic. The total number of calls for the 2011/2012 season is estimated in 386.
The FGV survey also revealed that the 2010/11 season had an economic impact for the Brazilian tourist industry equivalent to 900 million US dollars, which includes expenditure by tourists, crew members and services to vessels.
More specifically on ports’ capacity, Santos which is the most commonly used by cruise vessels, can only receive one vessel at a time at the passengers’ terminal. However the Companhia Docas from the State of Sao Paulo reported that the expansion plan for the World Cup 2014 includes increasing docking capacity to six vessels. The budget earmarked for the works totals the equivalent of 200 million dollars.
Rio do Janeiro on the other hand can currently receive up to seven vessels simultaneously and it is planned to expand docking capacity by 73%, at a cost of another 200 million dollars approximately.

Source: caribbeannewsdigital.com

Butterflies

2011-07-25T16:26:00.000-07:00

Tim Noonon as he walks thorugh a cloud of buterflies.

During all our way to the Suruwaha people tribe we saw many, many butterflies. It was such a beautiful trip and the journey was coloured by these amazing creatures.

Brazil nut tree

2011-07-22T10:36:00.000-07:00

Brazil nut trees (Bertollethia excelsa) are protected by law in Brazil, but it is very unlikely that trees left standing in cattle fields or soy beans plantations will remain safe or bearing fruit for long time. They are pollinated by Euglossine bees that remain in the forest for the flowers of certain species of orquid that male bees need in their reproductive system and dont grow on Brazil nut trees. On the top of that, big Amazon wind storms eventually drop the unprotected trees.

A brief visit to a Brazil nut factory at Labrea

2011-07-22T10:23:00.000-07:00

tour: Maica, Rainforest, Belterra & Alter do chao with Marie & Marc Darras

2011-07-19T21:01:00.000-07:00

Pink Dolphin

On the way to the Suruhara tribe....butterflies mean luck

2011-06-27T17:43:00.000-07:00

Timothy Noonon getting some footage on the way

Labrea

2011-06-23T16:22:00.000-07:00

Reading Paul Rafaelles latest book at the reception

Travelling into remote areas

2011-06-17T23:57:00.000-07:00

Through the next 30 days I shall be travelling into very, very remote areas. I shall be working on a documentary on the Suruwara indians with Paul Rafaelle.
Wish us luck mates.

WONDERFUL NIGHT FALL IN SANTAREM

2011-06-11T09:08:00.000-07:00

Em VErDe noVo: Jovens fazem manifestação contra Usina de Belo Mon...

2011-06-06T07:15:00.000-07:00

Em VErDe noVo: Jovens fazem manifestação contra Usina de Belo Mon...: "Hidrelétrica põe em risco aldeias indígenas e a autorização para início das obras fere a Constituição brasileira O grupo se reuniu nesta se..."

Gil Serique tira onda em Santarém PA

2011-06-06T04:49:00.000-07:00

Frisbee in Santarem

2011-06-06T04:48:00.000-07:00

Gil Serique windsurfing on the Tapajos river, Santarem

2011-06-06T04:46:00.000-07:00

Belo Monte

2011-06-02T04:08:00.000-07:00

The Brazilian Government is reluctant in building the Belo Monte Dam no matter how much rain forest will be destroy or how many indigenous people suffer or die.
Clearly, every megawatt produced by this project will be used to produce aluminum to sell to China and India. Perhaps one good way to stop it would be asking the other countries involved in boycotting Brazilian aluminum. A few Chinese organizations are already working on this.

Amazon

2011-06-01T09:26:00.001-07:00

I have seem too much flames
too much cries
a few to blame

nowhere to go
nothing to fight for
who is you
where am i
hidden in a mine

In the morning it is all the same
crimes committed
blood on the floor
what am i here for

Ashes in the wind
tears in my eyes
no birds in the sky
what should we try?

No music in the air
bitter smiles in their faces
murky souls
in dead places

master guide by Tom Flanagan

2011-05-27T23:11:00.000-07:00

Post Fordlandia Documentary

2011-05-27T05:40:00.000-07:00

I love this. Thanks Alan!!

2011-05-25T18:34:00.000-07:00

www.gilserique.com

"Master guide and naturalist Gil Serique doesn't just live in the Amazon...he lives the Amazon everyday of his life. From its teeming, vibrant cities to the tiny villages that hug its tree-shrouded tributaries, from the line of hyperactive ants hunting for food to the jaguar silently prowling the moon-kissed shadows while raucous macaws chorus overhead, no one knows the secrets of the great river and its surrounding countryside better than Gil Serique."

Alan Dean Foster
Author of Star Trek, Star Wars, Alien, The Drowning World

Taken from Cruisecritic.com ( I guess)

2011-05-25T14:07:00.000-07:00

Exploring the Amazon floodplain by canoe

Wed. March 17th Saint Patrick’s Day – Santarem. Soybean processing plant next to ship. Met with guide Gil Serique and 4 others for our boat tour. On the tour we saw cormorants, tiger herons, egrets, ducks, black skimmers, pink and gray dolphins, water buffalo!! Took a canoe deeper into the more shallow area of the flood plain to see the giant water lilies and water hyacinth. Gil served nuts, pineapple and toasted cheese sandwiches, water, beer, soda, and caipirnha. Sailed back to a small pier in the middle of town. One group took a cab back to the ship. We stopped at a souvenir shop then back to the ship in pouring rain. Soaked again. Cannot say enough good things about Gil. He is knowledgeable about local flora and fauna, enthusiastic and personable. Would recommend him in a heartbeat. (this is so cool)

access website clicking here

Gil Serique(supreme guide) at Fordlandia

Taken from Cruisecritic.com

2011-05-25T13:55:00.001-07:00

Cruising by the meeting of the waters in Santarem

Day 17 (Monday, April 13) Santarém, 9:00AM to 7:00PM

Today we had a river boat and Lake Maica tour with a famous local guide, Gil Serique (www.gilserique.com). This was another outstanding tour. After driving from the cruise pier to Richard Hemmington’s pier downtown, we boarded a riverboat and motored off to enjoy yet another meeting of the waters. From there we proceeded to explore Maica Lake, viewing considerable wildlife (gray and pink dolphins, tree sloths, and many types of rare birds) along the way. It was fun to continue on when the boats for the Princess ship tours turned around to return to the ship! We still had a lot of touring to do!

Gil is a real character; he is extremely enthusiastic about birds and his excitement is contagious, even to those of us who are not serious birders. He provided a substantial snack of local foods that was plenty to us for lunch. At the time of year we visited, the water was quite high, which allowed us to explore the flood plain (which represents only about 5% of the Amazon Basin) by canoeing. While half of our group canoed with Gil for about an hour, the rest fished for piranha (which Gil later cooked for us). During our canoe ride, we saw big bats and both the Greater and Lesser Potoo. Gil gave each of us an autographed copy of his book on birds of the Amazon Basin, as well as t-shirts and tote bags for the ladies and kerchiefs for the men (all of which feature a Hoatzin). Gil asks that you bring him a t-shirt/Frisbee from your town.

http://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=76532

Click to access my site

Gil Serique (supreme guide)

both; text-align: center;">

Another environmentalist bites the dust in Brazil..how many more will??

2011-05-24T13:58:00.001-07:00

Maria do Espirito Santo Silva and José Claudio Ribeiro da Silva, leader of Project Agroextrativista Praialta-Piranheira were killed early on Tuesday (24), 50 km from Nova Ipixuna, southeastern Pará, in the community of Maçaranduba.

The threats against the couple's life of gatherers began around 2008. According to relatives, strangers roamed the house of Mary and Joseph Claudius, usually at night, firing shots into the air. Sometimes, they came to target the animals owned by the couple. The timing coincided with the intimidation of the leaders extractive complaint against loggers in the region, constantly progressing area PAEX to extract timber species such as walnut, jatoba and angelim.

To Athanagild Matos, Director of Regional CNS Bethlehem, the death of Jose Claudio Da Silva and Maria is an irreparable loss. "They leave us a lesson, which is the ideal of the Amazon Forest: allow the 'forest people' can live with quality, sustainably with the environment, " said Matos. "We are in contact with federal prosecutors, federal police and other institutions. We support strongly the investigations, that this crime does not go unpunished, "said the Director of the CNS.

Pink Dolphins under serious threat II

2011-05-23T09:57:00.000-07:00

A vulvae of a pink dolphin being sold at Ver-o-peso market in Belem.

Six fishermen were caught by the Environmental Police at Cacau Pereira a community 25 kilometers from Manaus. They had captured 15 pink dolphins that they were going to kill and use as baits. Read also http://gilserique.blogspot.com/2009/07/pink-dolphins-under-threat.html

In time the authorities released 13 of the 15 animals.Two others were seriously injured and were taken to Institute of Amazon Reseach (INPA), one died due to serious injures by harpoon.

The criminals were registered fishermen.

Rainbow day...old sail...golden time

2011-05-21T15:08:00.000-07:00

Gil Serique jybing

Home sweet home

2011-05-18T14:29:00.000-07:00

We are now on the move to Alter do chão. The place is surrounded by an amazing igapo forest where Flora will attend ecology classes from the native species.

On the ship

2011-05-18T11:56:00.000-07:00

Pure adventure in the Tapajos National RainForest

2011-05-14T08:13:00.000-07:00

One slings our hammocks like spiders weave their webs; We light a fire like fireflies do, you gotta get the guts like all animals do. Welcome to the real thing!!

Brazil's forest code....not quite yet

2011-05-13T12:15:00.000-07:00

The Congress decided to wait a bit to vote it.

What is the Forest Code?
The Brazilian Forest Code is the progressive environment legislation that helps protect the Brazilian Amazon (and all other native Brazilian forests) and is a cornerstone to Brazil's efforts to protect biodiversity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

For the last 12 years, NGOs have been fighting to protect this legislation but representatives of agribusiness, biofuels and energy sectors - as well as members of Congress that predominantly represent the rural sector - are pushing for dramatic changes to the Code. The proposed new Forest Code would reduce or even eliminate forest protection and allow deforestation across the board.

Currently, farms and settlements have to conserve 80% of the forest on their land (so-called 'Legal Reserves'), and use it for sustainable timber management - they cannot destroy it. Under the proposed new Forest Code, this could be reduced to 50% in large areas, and as far as 0% in small areas (up to 400 hectares). If all of these areas are deforested, they would release at least 30 billion tons of CO2 into the atmosphere - that is 7 times more than the emissions Brazil committed to cut in Copenhagen.

Under the new Code. an amnesty would be given to anyone who committed forest crimes up to July 22, 2008. The new Code's proponents claim that this will promote economic development and ensure that Brazil, the world's second large crop producer and first large beef exporter, will be able "to feed the world."

When I am not workinh I am either.....

2011-05-08T20:41:00.000-07:00

Gil Serique

or playing with a camera

Some cruise ships that visit Santarem

2011-05-08T20:11:00.001-07:00

?

2011-05-08T16:35:00.000-07:00

Sustainable logging!

What is this?

Soya bean fied

Imperceptive leaf-frog

Morpho butterfly

Dendrobates with tadpoles

Dendrobates

Special Cruiseship Tour (Part II)

2011-05-08T15:35:00.000-07:00


Fred Olsen in Santarem

We use different boats, always safe, clean and spacious.

Three-toed sloths are often observed

Iguana

Giant water lillies

Chilling on the boat

At a big Kapok tree

Close-up and personal experiences

Segeln im Reich der Stürme by Bobby Schenk

2011-05-08T15:14:00.000-07:00

I met Bobby Schenk and his wife some 18 years ago. His book is a result of a quite adventurous journey on a private plane and sailing boat in many places in the world. We spent only a few hours together but it was enough to keep an memorable time.

To eat and drink during the tour

2011-05-08T05:58:00.000-07:00

Different species of Banana

Pineapples

Nuts

Brazil Nuts, biscuits and lots of bottled water, drinks and caipirinhas are served

Special Cruiseship Tour (Part I)

2011-05-08T05:23:00.000-07:00

Black collared hawk is often seen

The Meeting of the waters

Time for reading a bit and rest or birdwatching

No time to sit and eat though, only fresh fruit, nuts and tid bits are served

Nice, safe and clean boats

We use our own guide books

As the new cruise ship season starts I get excited to add new attractions to the tour.

Join us and maximize your brief staying in the Amazon. Our tour focus on wildlife observation and History, and groups are limited to 10 people.

Hi Gil

We would like to say a big thank you for 2 of the most wonderful days we have ever spent ashore from a cruise ship. We lovedddddd! every minute of it. You were so knowledgeable, entertaining and funny and we are still smiling today. A few photos you may like to see are attached. People on the ship have asked how we managed to be so few on our boat and they were so many - you remember we passed 2 or 3 Seabourn tourists boats. We have told so many people on board about our super guide and the days you planned for us.

We have already looked on Amazon to buy the books you were involved with and hopefully these will arrive in England when we arrive home.

Thank you again - we just loveddddd it.

Kind regards

Sloths observation are guaranteed and many birds too

Close-up and personal experiences

Exploration and adventure

Santarem as the birds see it

Trophy photographs even with snapshot cameras

Post Fordlandia Documentary

2011-05-06T06:38:00.000-07:00

Soya beans field at Belterra

On the streets of Belterra

At a rubber plantation

Soya centre

With Duca at Fordlandia

At the American Village at Fordlandia

It will be one of the best documentaries about Henry Ford's dream and Amazon people's nightmare. Soon in galleries in Ireland!

a few hours to go(It is all about wilflife)

2011-05-05T15:42:00.000-07:00

Giant water-lillies

Tom & Megs Morley

Market at Santarem

Pink Dolphin

Great egret

The Adventures of Alex Bellos (in the Amazon)

2011-05-05T09:26:00.000-07:00

2. An Amazon boat trip

By Alex Bellos
Of all the colourful fiestas in South America, a particular favourite of mine is the tropical fish festival of Barcelos. The town splits down the middle - one half paints itself black and yellow, the colours of a local angelfish, and the other half dresses up in red and blue, the colour of the neon cardinal. Both sides clash in an all-night extravaganza of music, dance and debauchery.
But Barcelos is difficult to get to. It is in the middle of the Brazilian Amazon, not connected by road to anywhere nor served by any airline a European traveller would trust. The only way to get there was to sail for 200 miles up the Rio Negro from Manaus.
A few travel agencies in Manaus rent boats for bespoke trips. They cater for scientists wanting to explore flora and fauna and adventurous tourists. The boats offered are mostly wooden craft made in the local style, looking much like riverboats of 100 years ago. I would be travelling with a handful of friends and we decided on a small one - the Iguana slept six passengers and came with a crew of four. The price was very reasonable - about £300 per night all-in, working out at £50 per person.
We arrived one evening at Manaus docks and loaded up the Iguana with ice, drink and food. We set off upriver, watching the lights of the city disappear behind us. When I woke up I looked out of the cabin window. It was one of the most mysteriously beautiful sights I have seen. We were in the middle of a flooded forest, surrounded by the silvery tips of hundreds of trees. The water was still and reflective and there was almost total silence.
Fears that the Amazon would be unbearably hot or irritatingly mosquito-infested were unfounded. The Rio Negro is the colour of Coca-Cola because of sediment that also deprives the water of oxygen - meaning no insects.
The trip was unforgettable. At sunrise we would take small canoes and go birdwatching. In the afternoon we would stop at huge sandbanks, barbecue fish we had caught and play Frisbee. Every day we passed maybe a village or two, some days we saw nobody. Our cook, Doña Graça, had a kitchen so small she barely fitted in it. Yet she made extravagant breakfasts of exotic fruits, three-course meals and kept us supplied with a steady stream of caipirinhas. Our guide, Gil Serique, spoke fluent English. One night we went out with a 14-year-old boy who held a torch in his mouth and speared fish from his canoe. After about a week we reached Barcelos. The tropical fish festival was noisy and chaotic and life-affirming. Yet somehow it didn't live up to the boat journey that got us there.
· To book a bespoke boat trip with guide Gil Serique visit www.gilserique.com Prices depend on length of trip and number of people. Alex Bellos is a former South America correspondent for The Observer and The Guardian

Belterra - The 2nd. city founded by Henry Ford in the Amazon

2011-05-04T15:13:00.000-07:00

Rainforest?? Turning into soya fields!!

2011-05-03T09:54:00.000-07:00

Old photographs of Fordlandia

2011-05-01T04:34:00.000-07:00

Post Fordlandia Documentary

2011-05-01T04:07:00.000-07:00

Braveyard

Fordlandia

American flag and girl

American village

Water thanks at Fordlandia

quebra panela originated here

Logomacra escuprida na preda

2011-04-27T05:04:00.000-07:00

Amazonia Pre- explorer

2011-04-18T20:18:00.000-07:00

Non violence time is over

2011-04-13T10:01:00.000-07:00

Aida Vita im Santarem

2011-04-13T09:48:00.000-07:00

When she was sailing on the meeting of the waters

Passengers coming from a tour

She was at Santarem

When I was guiding a group in the Tapajos National forest

Her at rest

Our expert

spider web

What a day!

2011-04-02T07:26:00.000-07:00

Sr. Cristocam Sena and Amrai at ICBS Santarem

On the bulldozer at the Gate of Belterra

Shooting soya fields

On the streets of Belterra

Windsurfing on the Tapajos

She is nice

She is too

At Alter do chao

M/V Regatta great times

2011-03-29T02:48:00.000-07:00

Click here to access homepage

M/V Regatta great times

2011-03-29T02:17:00.000-07:00

Hoatzin

Elasticity

collecting Brazil nut shells

Making manioc flour

schooling the kids

Horse and chart

Flooded forest exploration

Notes

Pink dolphin day

2011-03-27T08:00:00.000-07:00

string fella

Pretty dude

Great tour awesome buddies

2011-03-22T17:47:00.000-07:00

www.gilserique.com

Marco sitting on a gigantic liana

Enjoying the Tapajos national Forest from LBA tower

posing by a gigantic kapok tree

she got lunch

Ant, his wife and Marco

M/V Regatta a great time lays ahead

2011-03-22T12:44:00.000-07:00

Click to access gilserique.com

MV Regatta

Google translation on ancient Amazon people

2011-03-18T17:16:00.000-07:00

While the Old World lived in the darkness of the Middle Ages, civilization experienced a flowering in Brazil cultural.Contemporâneos the Incas and the Mayans were perpetrators of a sophisticated art. Only now beginning to decipher the archeology who were these ancient inhabitants of the earth brasilis.

If we could go back in time and visit the Amazon in a thousand years ago, we would see a different world. There would be cleared and the large area occupied by pastures and crops in the south and southeastern region, the current Para In areas now covered by dense jungles, would stand out clear signs of human occupation: large villages or towns, surrounded by areas plantations and secondary forests, linked together by long and wide paths. In some places, ceremonial centers designed by rows of stone were arranged in circles. Distant points as the island of Marajo is of Acre, for example, artificial embankments were living spaces and rituals. And that is the Bolivian Amazon, we could contemplate a maze of levees, dams and canals spread over thousands of square kilometers.

http://viajeaqui.abril.com.br/national-geographic/edicao-122/antigas-civilizacoes-amazonia-552374.shtml?page=0

Boca da Valeria

2011-03-17T06:07:00.001-07:00

Covering the short distance from the Royal Princess to shore amid water-arching, pink dolphins, my tender penetrated thick, swampy, molasses with its dual-pontoon underside, circumventing two river boats before approaching the wooden, stilt-supported houses and thatch huts marking the Boca da Valeria “pocket of humanity,” which could equally have been considered a “pocket of (arrested) time.” To the river dwellers, this had been “home.” It had been all that they had known. We had brought our preconceived “ideas” of home, which had been all we had known. Neither had been the same, or even remotely close. Perhaps I would find some elements of commonality between the two during my visit.

Read more: http://www.articlesbase.com/exotic-locations-articles/boca-da-valeria-primitive-pocket-of-the-amazon-amazon-river-forest-royal-princess-1750117.html#ixzz1GsCNJEmq
Under Creative Commons License: Attribution

Seven Seas Mariner....Who is next?

2011-03-10T19:57:00.000-08:00

Seven Seas Mariner is a cruise ship for Regent Seven Seas Cruises (formerly Radisson Seven Seas Cruises). She was the first all-suite, all-balcony ship in the world, and was awarded "Ship of the Year" in 2002 by Ocean and Cruise News

www.gilserique.com

Golden Backed Uakari

2011-03-10T04:35:00.000-08:00

by James Hutchinson

The black uakari weighs a little less than 3 kg (6.6 lb) and has a head and body length less than 0.5 m (1.6'). There are two subspecies of black uakari. The golden-backed subspecies (Cacajao melanocephalus ouakari) is richly colored with a saddle and back of golden-yellow that contrasts with its darker chestnut-red sides and underparts. Its arms are dark-brown or blackish as are the lower parts of its legs from the knee

"My" Uakari photographed at Jau river

down. The flanks are chestnut red, this extending to the short tail as well. The black-backed subspecies (C. m. melanocephalus) has none of the golden-yellow on its back, being primarily blackish from the head to the mid-back and reddish brown or tawny at mid-back, not contrasting with the lower back or thighs.

The black uakari seems to prefer habitat along small to medium-sized black water streams and lakes, including black water seasonally flooded forests (igapo) and the inland unflooded ("terra firme") forests adjoining such igapo. The majority of its diet is made up of immature seeds. It also eats fruit pulp, leaves and arthropods. The black uakari is arboreal and diurnal. It forages at all levels from the surface of the water in a flooded forest up to the canopy and also descends to the ground to consume seedlings. Groups consist of multiple adult males and females, juveniles, and infants. Large groups of more than 100 black uakaris, some perhaps approaching 200 animals, have been seen. But these large groups result from the temporary fusion of several smaller groups. More long-lasting groups consist of 20 - 70 animals. Black uakaris are very social. Members of a group groom each other frequently. Males are very tolerant of infants, which they carefully guard from danger.

Charles, Michael, Mike and Raimundo seaching for Uakaris on the Jau River

More fruit eaten by the monkeys

http://www.animalinfo.org/species/primate/cacamela.htm

Seth Kugel The Frugal Traveler from NYT in Santarem

2011-03-10T03:41:00.000-08:00

Night Life and Beaches in Brazil, for Less Than the Cost of Rio

Carnival ends today in Brazil, which means that over the last week or so, international travelers have flocked to Rio de Janeiro and Salvador, cities known for transforming themselves into international redoubts of hedonism for five days before Lent and hiking their prices way up in the process.
For the complete article follow the link below.
http://frugaltraveler.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/08/nightlife-and-beaches-in-brazil-for-less-than-the-cost-of-rio/?hpw

Santarem, Gateway to the Tapajos Region by "Vanessa"

2011-03-09T11:34:00.000-08:00

Santarem seen by a bird eye

Santarem lies at the confluence of two great rivers: the blue-green Tapajos and the muddy Amazon. The beauty of this place so inspired American poet laureate, Elizabeth Bishop, that she wrote a wonderful poem called "Santarem", which really captures the hours riverboat town sense of this place. And contrary to megacities Manaus and Belem, Santarem continues with it'hours s small town charm.

The Tapajos region is an Amazon crossroads: two rivers, four major eco-regions and many fascinating story lines meet here

Imagine long gone civilizations which left rockpaintings on the cliffs of Monte Alegre (5 hs by boat). Or the Tapajos Indians, who made elaborate pottery out of clay and river sponges and enriched the Amazon soil with black earth (biochar).

When the Portuguese settled, Santarem soon became a major Amazon trading post for goods from the heart of Brazil and the upper Amazon. The 19th century saw both a major revolt (Cabanagem) sweep the region and the arrival of scientists. Henry Bates (batesian mimicry and “Naturalist on the River Amazons”) roomed with bio-geographer Alfred Wallace and botanist Richard Spruce. All were inspired by the natural and cultural diversity of the Amazon.

And did you know that there was a Confederate colony here? Not very successful, but the descendants still live here and are part of the history. Henry Wickham (“The Thief at the End of the World”), who toiled here for several years and managed to smuggle out 70.000 rubber seeds to Kew Gardens, was a neighbour to the colony. And fifty years later confederate descendants were involved with Henry Ford’s quixotic effort to introduce the Aamerican dream in the form of model rubber plantations and model American towns (Fordlandia and Belterra).

A crop that did catch on is soy. And the region is a great place to understand the conflicting forces and demands on the Amazon. A Cargill terminal sits at the end of the harbour, the first hydro dam in the Amazon is about 2 hrs away on the Curau-una river and cruise ships routinely stop. On the other hand, the Tapajos region is one of the key sites for studying climate change (LBA - Large Scale Biosphere Atmosphere experiment) and local communities show you how to live sustainably of river and forest resources.

The Tapajos National Forest can show you the grandeur of the rainforest as a cathedral of tall trees full of wildlife. You can get up into the LBA canopy tower, walk some amazing trails or relax at the B&B of the local communities along the beachfront.

The Tapajos beaches are amazing. They appear during the second half of the year and they rival the best in the world. On the other bank of the Tapajos is the Arapiuns extractive reserve, where many of the communities are working with Saude&Alegria in implementing sustainable and healthy lifestyles. They are also welcoming tourists to experience riverfront life. Imagine eating a fish barbecue (“piracaia”) on a deserted beach. Or learning how they work with stingless bees to produce a tasty honey and produce their own fishfood for their local fishfarms. See how they make great handicraft out of local fibers and seeds. Or just listen to their great stories. Visit the Saude&Alegria site to learn more.

Of course the postcard beach of the Tapajos is at Alter do Chão, a fun beach village and home to the Saire festival, which celebrates the rivalry of the grey and pink dolphins. And you can see the real ones in many places as well. The nicest and best hotel in Alter is called BeloAlter, but there are also good hostels for those on a budget.

Talking about wildlife. If you want a closer look after you have seen them in the canopy or scuttling away in the undergrowth, go to the Zootrip. Not a zoo, but an animal rescue center for the regional fauna. A bit sad to learn how animals get there (birds of prey get shot, sloths get run over, macaws and monkeys get caught for the illegal pet trade), but nice to see them recovering in a nature reserve, where you also do some rappel.

If you want to know more about the local flora, go to Bosque Santa Lucia, which is close by. Good nature trails and interpretation. They have an informative English website on both the flora and the region (just google). By the way, to get here you pass by where Henry Wickham used to live.

The Lago Maica and the Jari Channel (on the Amazon) are also great places to see wildlife and enjoy the scenery.

And all these places are within a few from Santarem, so can be done on day or half-day tours if you have little time. I personally would stay longer, though.

Taxi boats in front of Santarem

Home area seen from the river

Windsurf, Tourism & Wildlife In the Amazon: Seabourn Odyssey

2011-03-07T09:16:00.000-08:00

Windsurf, Tourism & Wildlife In the Amazon: Seabourn Odyssey

Seabourn Odyssey docked at Santarem

TESTIMONIAL by Joe Jackson

2011-03-07T04:45:00.000-08:00

In October 2005, I came to the Amazon to do research on a book for Viking Press on Henry Wickham, the Victorian wanderer who stole 70,000 rubber seeds from the Amazon in 1876 to give the British Empire the world monopoly in natural rubber. This was a highly specialized trip, calling not only for a wide knowledge of history, botany, and zoology, but also requiring the services of a Portuguese-to-English interpreter and local guide. This is a tall order for any guide, but Gil Serique was up to the challenge and, it proved, perfect for the job. Starting in Santarem, we hit Henry Ford's failed rubber plantations in Fordlandia and Belterra, the site of Wickham's first failed plantation at Piquiatuba, several villages along the Tapajos River that figured into the story, and visited examples of primary forest that would have approximated the conditions in Victorian times. We unearthed tales of riots in Fordlandia that had never been documented and solved a historical mystery concerning the origin of the seeds that created the British Empire's lucrative rubber trade. We stopped at Taperhina, one of the most famous sites of Victorian-era biological exploration, as well as at obscure villages along the river in which I stumbled upon ideas for subsequent books. The gathering of information in a quick and efficient manner is extremely important for any writer or journalist working on a deadline: Gil understood this, did his research ahead of time, and was able to squeeze what turned into an incredibly rich research journey into a mere six days.
The greatest stumbling block that I anticipated was the language barrier, but Gil was a natural interpreter, able to anticipate my questions as or before I asked them. It was as if there was no language barrier at all. Not only does Gil have wide experience in the logistics and pitfalls of guided tours, but he is intellectually engaged in solving the kinds of problems and challenges that writers, researchers, filmmakers and scientists normally encounter when traveling to a different country for creative work. Gil is both fun to be with and extremely smart, and within a day or two of my arrival I knew that I could depend upon him totally, more as if he were a collaborator in the work than a paid guide. That seems to be his ethic: he becomes a collaborator, and wants the project to succeed as much as anyone. I cannot recommend Gil highly enough for work like this, and I anticipate collaborating with him again in the future for research on a novel once this nonfiction manuscript is submitted. I would be happy to recommend his expertise to anyone.
Joe Jackson Author:
(nonfiction)
Dead Run
Leavenworth Train
A Furnace Afloat
A World on Fire: A Heretic, an Aristocrat, and the Race to Discover Oxygen
(fiction)
How I Left the Great State of Tennessee and Went on to Better Things
jwjackson@cox.net
www.joejacksonbooks.com

A must for those who likes Amazon History

Seabourn Odyssey II

2011-03-06T12:27:00.001-08:00

Notes & notes

Exploring the Amazon inundated forest

The Seabourn Odyssey is the first new ship for Seabourn Cruise Line in over a decade. About 90% of the ship's suites have private verandas. Some of the Seabourn Odyssey's features include one of the largest spas featured in a cruise ship, a built-in marina, and expanded guest services compared to the older Seabourn fleet. The ship's keel was laid in early July 2007. "She brought 4 quite entertaining people with her".

Fish served on board

Inside a forest island

Dave reading The thief at the end of the world written by Joe Jackson.

Roland sharing his knowledge about Amazon river formation.

Pink Dolphin

More nice pictures of Amazon River dolphins.

We are getting off our nice boat at Pier Richard Hennington in Santarem.

My nephew Jolen studying birds during the trip.

Sting rays are an evidence that the Amazon river headed to the Pacific Ocean at an uncertain time.

Aruanan aka monkey fish

An human habitation at the Maica river.

An illusive Three-toed sloth seen during on exploration into the Amazon Floodplain

Dave & Mary as they embark on our jolly nice boat.

We decided to buy some fish at the market after we photographed pink dolphins.

Too much to see and learn about the Amazon in this quite short trip.

Picture group during our unforgettable boat trip.

Dave on the meeting of the waters.

Currently Pink Dolphin or Amazon River dolphins can be easily observed in such trip.

She is nice!

Veins inside a forest island.

A view of Santarem