Day 15 (January 16) Santarem, Flona-Tapajos National Forest, Brazil

 Day 15: Santarem, Flona-Tapajos National Forest Tuesday, January 16

From Road Scholar Brochure: "We ride south on the Santarém-Cuiabá Highway, the only road connecting this part of the Amazon with other points in Brazil. Different stages of "slash and burn" agriculture and the effect it has on the forest and land can be observed on this stretch of road as well as large soya plantations. "After approximately 1hr 15 min. on the road, we will reach Tapajos National Forest where we will enjoy a nature walk with a local expert where we will see the biodiversity of the area."

Some photos:

Ours and others' local forest guides.



Our local guide cuts these shallow diagonal "trenches" and links them up with vertical accumulator cut. 


This little white ball of white raw rubber is what bleeds out of shallow cuts.



"Jungle telephone" used by natives to communicate by percussion code. As tall trees, their wood resonates for long distance when struck with heavy wooden drumstick.

Walking follow-the-leader through Amazon forest path.




We take local river boat back to MS Zuiderdam. These local boats are curved at front to accommodate loading and unloading directly on bank of river.
 
















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